Permatech spray in bedliner - Initial impressions

Quintin · #1 05-17-2005, 08:20 PM

Today, I had my '04 F150 sprayed with a Permatech bedliner. I originally wanted Line-X, but I decided on the Permatech mainly because positive word of mouth regarding the local installer around here and that I got a smokin' deal on the Permatech.

It appears to be laid down fairly thick. Hypocritically, from another thread in the '04-'05 forum, they sprayed over my bed bolts, which I'm not thrilled about at all. I requested that the bed bolts be removed prior to spraying, but for whatever reason, they said that they "couldn't do that." When I told them my reasoning behind not spraying over the bolts, they assured me that if I ever needed to remove the bolts, the material can be cut and removed with a utility knife, which kinda makes me question the durability and damage resistance of this stuff.

The surface itself has a glossy black appearance, sorta looks like rain on an oil spot on concrete. It also feels slick and mallable to the touch, although I haven't given it the recommended 24 hours to fully cure yet. The glossy-ness of it I don't really like either. The sample I saw in the office was a matte black color, which I would have preferred. This may not matter, since I'm considering a soft tonneau cover later this year.

The installation itself looks very good. Things were masked off well, I don't see any signs of overspray or uneven layers at first glance. I'll save durability judgements for later when I start throwing stuff in the bed. The Permatech liner does have a lifetime guarantee, and if I should ever have to remove the bed bolts, the installer said he'd touch it up for free.

Overall, on a scale of 1 to 10, I think it's a solid 8 initially. As it cures and I use it, we'll see how well it stands up.

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RockyJSquirrel · #2 05-17-2005, 08:28 PM

Yup, be sure and let me know the day you need to remove your bed bolts for something. In 20 years with about 7-8 pickups, I've never needed to remove a bed bolt. And I've kept my last couple pickups until they were over 10 years old, I'm not trading in for a new one every 2-3 years.

Quintin · #3 05-17-2005, 08:30 PM

Admittedly, I'll probably never touch them. But I'm a belt and suspenders kinda guy, y'know? Better to have and not need...I'm a firm believer that Murphy is out to get me.

vader716 · #4 05-18-2005, 09:32 AM

Looks like a clean install. Very similar to LineX although it is difficult to tell the exact coloring and gloss due to the pictures.

Lets see how it holds up but from the pics....nice liner

jhogan · #5 05-18-2005, 01:38 PM

Looks more like a Rhino liner, being mallable. Appears the installer did a good job from the pics. The bed bolts probably won't be a big deal, but I wouldn't have wanted the access panel to the tailgate sprayed over.

TruckGasm · #6 05-18-2005, 07:02 PM

Cold/low pressure application systems, like Permatech, Rhino, Toff, Superliner, Speedliner, etc., which are all 100% polyurethane, have a hard time with not spraying over things. Their liners have too long of gel and dry times so they can't really do it very well. So, they just spray over everything or cut out areas after they spray them. Heat/high pressure systems like LINE-X, Viper, Combat, Xtreme Liner all contain at least some (if not all) polyurea. Polyurea dries FAST, like about 4 seconds, so it's no problem removing hardware, spraying, and then replacing hardware. The access panel us usually lifted about 1 inch before the tailgate is sprayed. After spraying, just lower the access panel back down. No problemo.

Quintin · #7 05-18-2005, 08:00 PM

They removed the bolts and plugged the holes for my tailgate lock access cover before spraying the liner. They also removed all the hold downs too. Practically speaking, I'll probably never have to mess with the bed bolts, just saying, I would have liked to have had the option to easily access them if ever need be.

After allowing the Permatech stuff to cure overnight, I took another look at it this evening. Wow, that stuff suddenly became real stiff and it has a nice texture to it now, sorta like a rubber mat. It doesn't seem as glossy anymore now either. I'm really liking it now 24 hours later. Now I need excuses to throw stuff in the bed so I can see how it holds up.

y2kstratus · #8 05-31-2005, 09:15 PM

Quintin,

Any new news on the permatech bedlineer?? Does it still have the gloss shine?? Have you thrown a few things in there to check durability? Whats's the cost comparatison to Rhino/Line-x??

Quintin · #9 05-31-2005, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by y2kstratus

Quintin,

Any new news on the permatech bedlineer?? Does it still have the gloss shine?? Have you thrown a few things in there to check durability? Whats's the cost comparatison to Rhino/Line-x??

Two weeks later, and I'm still kinda half and half on it. It does still have the glossy appearance, albeit not as bright as when it was first sprayed. Since it's set up, it's got a very nice non slip texture to it, feels like a rubber mat. I've toted around some lawn mowers and a friend's go-kart in it since with no adverse effects, not a real test of the liner I know, but that's all I've done as of late. As far as cost comparison, a local dealer around here quoted me about $470 for a Line-X. I didn't price a Rhino liner, so I dunno how much that would have set me back. The Permatech was about $350. It'll probably be of little consequence, since I foresee a soft tonneau cover in my future sometime this fall maybe.

From an asthetic standpoint, it's alright, I think I would have preferred something with more texture to it though.

y2kstratus · #10 06-01-2005, 06:30 AM

Sounds like it worked out alright and any bedliner with a tonneau is a win/win scenario

GreyGhost1583 · #11 06-13-2005, 11:09 PM

I have had my permatech liner for about 1 year. I have used it pretty extensively. Works great in the winter when it is cold but in the hot sun it tends to be a little to soft and i have punctured it while using a pitch fork. If I had it to do over again I would go with Line-X or Rhino only because I believe they tend to be a little harder. I am not sure if Line-x or Rhino resists fading as well.

Quintin · #12 06-14-2005, 12:11 AM

The softness of it is what kinda worries me. The installer told me that if I ever needed to access the bed bolts, that the liner could be cut with a utility knife and pulled off like an orange peel. Dunno what that says about the durability of it.

ureagletz · #13 06-14-2005, 06:37 PM

As I used to install bed liners, I would be more worried about the possibility of the chems used to create this bedliner. I am not sure now as it has been a few years since I was an installer, but I remember a man bringing me in his truck after having it sprayed three years earlier and the middle of his bed was corroded. The corners corroded as well. Don't know for sure that his liner was the cause but, the man stated that his bed was in perfect condition before he sprayed his bed.

After leaving there I went on to be a General Motors (yack) Cust Relations Manager, and one of the things that voided the warranty on any body (body has 10, 100,000 mile warranty) repairs was exactly this (any sprayed on "protective" materials).

So be very cautious in using any sort of material that is sprayed onto your vehicle anywhere, this included Undercoating. Unless the dealer did the undercoating, in which case the dealer is liable for any damage that was caused by the undercoating.

Then there is the idea behind why you put the liner in. If it is to protect the bed so that you can keep it's re-sale value. Well you have to be able to get the liner out so that the potential buyer can see that there is nothing wrong with the bed.

These are things I would be concerned about. Other than that, looks good so far from the picture. Good luck with it, hope it works well for you.

T