Ask any shop how they prep the bed, what material they spray, how thick it goes on, where they spray, what the warranty covers, how long the job takes, and what the full price is. A shop that answers clearly and puts it in writing is usually a shop that does the work properly. Here are our own answers for comparison.
Questions about the work
1. How do you prep the bed?
This is the most important question. Prep is where a liner wins or loses its grip. Listen for sanding the whole surface, cleaning it properly, and priming before the spray. Vague answers here are a warning sign.
Our answer: we remove the hardware, sand the factory paint, clean and mask the bed, and prime it before we spray. Any light rust is sanded back and treated first.
2. What material do you spray?
Bed liners are not all the same chemistry. Pure polyurea, hybrids and polyurethane products behave differently in abrasion and flexibility. Ask what it is, not just what brand.
Our answer: pure aromatic polyurea, sprayed hot at high pressure, with an optional UV-stable aliphatic topcoat.
3. How thick is it?
Ask for a number, in millimetres, for the floor and for the walls. Thickness matters most where the wear is.
Our answer: 2.5 mm on the floor and tailgate, about 2 mm on the walls.
4. Where do you spray?
Polyurea needs the right temperature and dry conditions to bond well. A heated, ventilated bay gives consistent results in a Muskoka winter. A driveway in November does not.
Our answer: indoors, in our shop bay at 215 Main Street West in Huntsville.
Questions about the deal
5. What does the warranty cover?
Read the fine print. What failures are covered, for how long, and who do you call if something goes wrong? A warranty from a shop that is local is easier to use than one from a shop two hours away.
Our answer: a lifetime warranty against peeling, cracking or delamination for as long as you own the truck. Damage from impact, cutting or chemicals is not covered. We photograph every bed before we start.
6. How long will you have my truck?
Ask for a real timeline, including any topcoat or colour work.
Our answer: standard and UV beds are done the same day. Colour beds take three days: liner day one, topcoat day two, home day three.
7. What is the full price?
Ask what is included and what is extra. Floor, walls and tailgate should be standard. Watch for add-ons that appear at pickup.
Our answer: $599 for a 5.5 or 6.5 ft bed, $649 for an 8 ft bed, UV adds $190, colour adds $495 ($545 on an 8 ft bed), heavy duty from $699, all plus HST. Every price is on our Pricing page, and we do not run discounts.
A note on comparing
Price matters, but it is the last thing to compare, not the first. A liner that costs a little less and peels in three years is the expensive one. Get the answers to the first six questions, then look at the number.
We are not the only place to get a liner, and you should compare. The nearest LINE-X to Huntsville is in Barrie, about 134 km away. Whoever you choose, ask these seven questions and get the answers in writing. If you want to see the steps in detail first, read how a spray-in bed liner is applied.