Thanks FTL40!

 

TruckGasm, Is it the Line-X methodology to remove bolts and screws before spraying? Or is this something some do and some don't - maybe even charge extra for? I'd rather not have my bolts and screws covered up. I can have bolts and screws not sprayed with Line-X, but sprayed with Xtra just to color them? That's cool.

 

I think that it's not necessarily a LINE-X methodology, I think it's the preference of most customers measured over a long period of time. Some dealers are afraid to remove the bed bolts, so they don't. Others just remove them automatically. But, it's your truck and you can have them removed or not, just be sure to communicate your wishes to the dealer before he starts working on your truck.

We have coated the bolts with just Xtra before (see below). I'm not sure how that worked out in the long run, but it looked OK. Sorry, not a Ford! BTW, the customer just wanted the bed bolts coated with Xtra, not the tailgate access panel screws. Probably not the way I would have done it, but it's his truck.

 

It does not look like they pulled off your tailgate. They should have sprayed all the way down behind the tailgate on the bed. Ill take some pics of the job I had down about two months ago up in West Branch Michigan, He did a hell of a job.

 

Just had my truck done, and as I cooled my heels while they did the work, I looked at a Line-X corp brochure. As part of the "28 step process," they call out removing all the bolts and cleats in the bed.

Last step was putting a sticker on the back window, which I was happy to see they skipped on my install.

 

Smitty24, Good point to check on. The gap between open tailgate and bed would need to be sprayed. Maybe as long as it won't be visible with the tailgate closed. In the Toyota pics from TruckGasm they clearly sprayed the bed side of this gap. Can't really say about the tailgate. Not sure if the tailgate sides really need spraying. Just another item to discuss with your friendly local sprayer.

 

Whats the benefit to removing the bed bolts and not spraying them? I had my 2005 SCab Line X'd when new and they sprayed right over them. Looks fine to me?

 

Benefit? I think it would be good to be able to remove them without tearing up the sprayed in liner. Plus, I think the liner would in effect put a cap on the fasteners making it more difficult to use tools on them. Are you ever going to remove the bed bolts? Most people won't. I am more concern with the access panel on the tailgate. I wouldn't want this 'glued' shut by having it and its screws sprayed over. I am thinking it would be best to remove the panel and spray it and the tailgate separately and reattaching them 24 hours later. I have had to remove this panel to do maintenance on the tailgate handle. Others who actually have a sprayed in liner can probably give more insightful input.

 

Yes, the tailgate was removed. We don't apply LINE-X all the way down the back side of the tailgate anymore (we used to though) because about a year ago, our automotive grade masking tape started pulling off the paint (in that area only). I called my contact person at a Toyota dealership and they told me that Toyota no longer applies a clearcoat in that area. Ford has a similar problem. Take a look at the paint in this area. The paint is so thin in this area, you can actually see metal in some places. We had a problem with Toyota and Fords only and oddly about the same time.

On the bed side, we go down an inch or so, so that the edge is properly protected.

Bed bolts can be sprayed or not, it's your choice. Most people think the bed looks nicer without the bolts sprayed. Also, if the bed has to be removed in case of a repair, they won't have to dig the bolts out of the bedliner.

 

I just had my bed sprayed a week ago. I did all the research and Linex is the way to go.The shop did remove all the hardware prior to application. IMO it has a cleaner more professional look this way.