From: DHartmann@bangate.compaq.com@INTERNET on Tue, Jan 30, 1996 2:35 PM
>Forgive me in advance if I offend anyone by saying this.
>
>But how can anyone justify a hard, plastic, shell which
>sits/bolts on metal-painted surfaces as a logical
>solution to protecting a bed ?
>
>I mean, it is easy to understand this from a dings-and-
>dents point of view. But from a paint protection view-
>point, it just doesn't make sense. There's too much
>vibration, twisting, and etc, to potentially damage the
>paint. Not to mention that moisture gets trapped (with
>little airflow to dry it out) to hasten the rust process.
Dale,
If you use the truck to carry loads then the liner does a great job in
protecting the bed from being beat up. The few spots that the liner may damage
the paint due to vibration is a small price to pay for a bed that is dented up
and the paint has been scratched off 50% or more of the surface. As I stated
earlier today the liner in my 89 Dakota has rubbed the paint off in several
areas but the same vibration that rubbed the paint off also keeps the rust from
forming. If you lift the edges of my liner you will see nice shiny bare metal
spots. I really do not think that trapped moisture is that big a problem. The
air gaps are large enough to promote evaporation.
All in all a bed with a liner from day one will last longer than one without. I
definately would go with the spray on material but double the cost can be hard
to swallow if you spent your last dime on the truck to start with. Bedliners are
cheap enough that you can negotiate it for free when purchasing the truck much
the same way the dealers used to give away Rusty Jones. My brothers 88 Mazada
pick-up came with the liner as standard equipment.
Dave Clement
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