All spray-on bedliners in the market today are made of a two-part compound that when mixed together makes a rigid coating, known as a polymer. There are two different types of polymer 'liners: One is applied with a heated high-pressure sprayer; the second is a low-velocity compound. Although both 'liners have their pros and cons, they serve identical purposes: protection for the bed of your truck. Even some vehicle manufacturers are implementing the use of spray-on bedliners. There are many names in the industry, but Sprayliner is approaching the market with a new angle and purpose-made protective coatings.
Not another spray-on coating! What's the difference?
High-Pressure Polyurethane
The high-pressure 'liners have a higher resistance to impact and gouging. At higher pressures, you can evacuate the gun at a much faster rate. This means you can crank up the heat to harden the compound at a fast rate. Heat also helps bond the compound to the surface and enhance the chemical flash. With the estimated four-second flash (drying) time, the polyurethane spreads evenly over uneven surfaces. The only real problem is that a high-pressure sprayer costs more money, and requires a solid energy source to operate the heater and hydraulic pumps used to mix and pressurize the gun.
Low-Pressure Polyurea/Urethane
A low-pressure 'liner is a mix of polyurethane and polyurea. The low-pressure compound has a different chemical make-up. It doesn't use heat to help it flash. It relies on a chemical reaction to provide the heat for drying. The polyurea and reduced flash of the activator allows the 'liner to be slightly softer than the purer polymer 'liner. The softer polymer provides excellent protection as well. It will even absorb a small amount of impact without passing the kinetic energy of impact through to the body causing it to dent. The equipment needed to apply this type of spray-on 'liner is cost-effective and portable.
How is Sprayliner different from other spray-on liners?
Sprayliner provides 'liners with a variety of choices for both the end-user and businesses. The company's spray system can be configured for both high-pressure as well as low-pressure systems. Sprayliner has also implemented the idea of adding a third element to the chemical process. The third element changes, depending on the application.
Polyurethane and Composite
With truck bedliners, the third element is a surface-reactive composite crystal, which adds to the density of the polymer. It is mixed in at about 50 percent and substantially reduces cost. This composite allows the high-pressure system to provide three different surface textures. By simply turning off the third input on the gun, you can stop the composite from emitting from the gun nozzle. The amount of polymer you allow to sit on top of the composite will dictate the particle protrusion from the polymer surface, providing for aggressive nonskid-, nonskid-, and smooth-surface finishes.
Polyurea and Rubber
If the application changes to a trailer or garage floor, a pure polyurea can be used to provide a soft surface. Much like polyurethane, a two-part chemical compound called polyurea can be sprayed down. It is an extremely soft and durable coating. The chemicals that make up the polymer are chemical-resistant, making it excellent for toy-hauler trailers that lug motor-propelled vehicles that may leak gas or oil. When particles from recycled tire rubber are mixed with polyurea, a textured surface can be attained. This is excellent for a horse trailer, as it also provides a soft surface for the animal, preventing fatigue.
All the chemicals used by Sprayliner are made by DuPont. The big brand name means that only the highest-quality chemicals are used to produce Sprayliner coatings. This gives the company's coatings consistency and cleanliness. And with Sprayliner, you don't need to make one coating fit every need. Since the company offers varied products, it can provide a coating for most any surface.
1. Sprayliner has approached...
1. Sprayliner has approached the market with a variety of coatings. This polyurea coating is soft polyurethane with recycled tire rubber embedded as the third element. It provides a soft chemical-resistant coating for horse trailers. The rubbery compound helps prevent fatiguing an animal while under long hauls or rough terrain. You can spray the inside of utility trailers to make it easy to clean up oil and fuel spills.
2. High-pressure coatings...
2. High-pressure coatings provide rigid protection against wear and tear on a truck bed. The coatings contain fast-drying chemicals, providing an even layer of material.
3. With the third composite...
3. With the third composite element, three different surface types can be accomplished. As seen here, the three different surfaces are labeled aggressive nonskid, nonskid, and smooth.
4. Here are the two separate...
4. Here are the two separate types of third elements that can be added to Sprayliner's polyurethane. The larger granules are recycled tire rubber that enhance the polyurea coating. A surface-reactive quartz composite is used as the third element in the high-pressure spray, reducing costs and enhancing strength.
5. Deep dents are commonly...
5. Deep dents are commonly seen on trucks that get used. These dents can be prevented if a spray-on bedliner is applied before damage occurs. The 'liner will fill these dented areas, and provide added strength.
6. A grinder equipped with...
6. A grinder equipped with a soft-wire brush cleans and roughs the bed surface area. This creates a bounding texture for the spray-on bedliner to adhere to.
7. Dirt and paint that are...
7. Dirt and paint that are not stuck to the primer or metal will come right off with the wire wheel. The wheel is used over the large general areas where the 'liner will be applied.
8. The edges where you want...
8. The edges where you want the 'liner to stop is scuffed and cleaned with sandpaper and an air nozzle. A quick Acetone wipe down after the scuffing process completes surface prep.
9. The edge of the 'liner...
9. The edge of the 'liner is taped off with tape equipped with cutting wire. Notice how the wire is placed on one side of the tape; this ensures that no tape is left under the coating.
10. With the cutting wire...
10. With the cutting wire taped down around the perimeter, masking paper is laid over the wire tape to keep the spray-on 'liner from adhering to anything it's not supposed to.
11. The gun is similar to...
11. The gun is similar to any other high-pressure spray-on bedliner gun, except for the third clear tube that sits on top of the gun. Solenoids and sensors are attached to the end of the gun to provide information about how the system is operating.
12. The two chemicals that...
12. The two chemicals that make up the spray-on 'liner are heated up to I65 degrees F; 2,500 psi delivers the two hot chemicals to the mixture section at the end of the gun. Here the two chemicals are reduced in temperature to about 130 degrees F. They are released through the end of the gun and mixed together. The third element is pushed through the upper tube, and the vacuum created by the two fast-moving chemicals pulls the element in and adds it to the mix.
13. With most high-pressure...
13. With most high-pressure spray-on 'liners, two 55-gallon drums are the only compounds used. Pictured is the component that holds the third element.
14. High-pressure polyurethane...
14. High-pressure polyurethane is sprayed over the bed from a distance. This allows the mixture to start the curing process. By the time it hits its designated surface, it is a sticky, dense substance. It only takes about four seconds for the spray-on 'liner to cure; this is why a high-pressure spray 'liner sprays on evenly.
15. After the bed is covered,...
15. After the bed is covered, and before the spray-on 'liner sets up too hard, the cut wire is pulled up to form the perimeter's edge.
16. Sprayliner's third-element...
16. Sprayliner's third-element bedliner covers all surfaces evenly.