Bed-rug?
I am new on here but it sounds like everyone has a good idea of what is going on, so here it goes. I am out on the OBX in nc and am trying to decide if I want to put a bed-rug in my truck. The only draw back that I can think of is that there is a lot of sand in this area. I dont take my truck on the beach all that often, just wondering if anyone has used the rug before
I love mine. I got it for a Christmas present and finally got to install the thing today. It was the first warm day in a long time so I thought I'd spend the day outside putting it in. It's easy and well worth the money spent.
I just installed mine today as well! weather finally hit the 70 deg. mark here in SW IN. Very easy to Install, temp. needs to be at least 68 deg. for the velcro adhesive strips to bond properly. Got mine from Chikenears(thanks Tim!) a sponsor on this site. Really like the fit & Quality, get one you wont be sorry IMHO!
Temperature is important for proper adhesive. Here is what I posted in another thread:
I would agree and say "do not use a heat gun" The reason for a certain temperature is due to the properties of the metal at around that temperature. From say 40 degrees F to 68 degrees F the metal will have expanded a little compared to the colder temperature.
Now for most it would be a logical conclusion to think that by using a heat gun you could, and in fact would bring the metal to the correct temperature however that temperature rise would be "to fast" for the metal to expand to "ideal" properties for the recommended adhesion. Furthermore the metal needs to maintain that temperature during the cure time otherwise it will not adhere correctly.
What will happen with the heat gun is it will raise the temperature but for a very short time and it will not maintain that temperature due to the huge mass of metal that will equalize that temperature to the ambient temperature. In other words metal is a good conductor of heat. Thus if you heat a small area (2" X 2") of say a mass of (2' X 6') the mass will basically suck the heat and dissipate it into the overall mass.
Basically what will happen if you try to adhere something at 40 degrees when 68 degrees is recommend is when it does get warm up and the metal does expanded it will break or weaken the bond that was made at the colder temperature.
An example would be to put your fingers tightly together and tap some tissue to the outside fingers. When you spread your fingers the tissue will break. Now if you spread your fingers open and tape the tissue to the outside fingers and then tighten your fingers together the tissue will not break, it will be a little loose, but will still maintain its adherence to your fingers. Your tighten fingers is the cold 40 degrees, the spread fingers are when its warm like 68 degrees.
Originally posted by Carmmond
ez149guy
All I can say is I have a friend that works for 3M and he said when they put a temp in the instuctions for adhesive strips follow it. He works in the R&D lab so he knows what he is talking about.
Would your idea work, yes. Would it hold as good a year or two from now..... who knows.
If it were me I would find a friend with a heated garage or wait till spring, but thats me.
ez149guy
All I can say is I have a friend that works for 3M and he said when they put a temp in the instuctions for adhesive strips follow it. He works in the R&D lab so he knows what he is talking about.
Would your idea work, yes. Would it hold as good a year or two from now..... who knows.
If it were me I would find a friend with a heated garage or wait till spring, but thats me.
I would agree and say "do not use a heat gun" The reason for a certain temperature is due to the properties of the metal at around that temperature. From say 40 degrees F to 68 degrees F the metal will have expanded a little compared to the colder temperature.
Now for most it would be a logical conclusion to think that by using a heat gun you could, and in fact would bring the metal to the correct temperature however that temperature rise would be "to fast" for the metal to expand to "ideal" properties for the recommended adhesion. Furthermore the metal needs to maintain that temperature during the cure time otherwise it will not adhere correctly.
What will happen with the heat gun is it will raise the temperature but for a very short time and it will not maintain that temperature due to the huge mass of metal that will equalize that temperature to the ambient temperature. In other words metal is a good conductor of heat. Thus if you heat a small area (2" X 2") of say a mass of (2' X 6') the mass will basically suck the heat and dissipate it into the overall mass.
Basically what will happen if you try to adhere something at 40 degrees when 68 degrees is recommend is when it does get warm up and the metal does expanded it will break or weaken the bond that was made at the colder temperature.
An example would be to put your fingers tightly together and tap some tissue to the outside fingers. When you spread your fingers the tissue will break. Now if you spread your fingers open and tape the tissue to the outside fingers and then tighten your fingers together the tissue will not break, it will be a little loose, but will still maintain its adherence to your fingers. Your tighten fingers is the cold 40 degrees, the spread fingers are when its warm like 68 degrees.
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Bed rugs are excellent. I've hauled a couple of engines, a transmission, brick, sod, and a lot of other items. I've had no problems cleaning the bed rug up so it looks like new each time. I've had mine for over a year now.
Watch out for bark dust though . . . Those little slivers don't come out with a simple hosing.
Also, if you install yourself and don't have a top, be sure to put 4 or 5 of the velcro strip across the top of the tailgate . . . I learned the hard way that 3 was not enough.
Also, if you install yourself and don't have a top, be sure to put 4 or 5 of the velcro strip across the top of the tailgate . . . I learned the hard way that 3 was not enough.
Got my sample of bedrug material in the mail today...
I can imagine that the bedrug itself is fairly water resistant, but how do you keep the water from reaching the bed itself... Is there some way that the bed rug is sealed along edges?
Dan
I can imagine that the bedrug itself is fairly water resistant, but how do you keep the water from reaching the bed itself... Is there some way that the bed rug is sealed along edges?
Dan
The sides are fastened to the bottom with a zipper and is intended to allow the water to pass through to the bed and drain the way the water would normally drain in your bed. Seems like it would trap the water in the bed, but it doesn't. I haven't had mine out in a year and a half but some have and find no evidence of water damage.


