Are you a do-it-yourself sort of truck person? Perhaps trying to find the next home project you can sink your teeth into? Vehicle maintenance seems to get more and more expensive as time goes on, causing millions of truck owners across the country to seek out simple and effective methods of keeping their vehicle in tip-top shape. If you’re looking for ways to spruce up your car, consider investing in a little cut tape or a spray bedliner. Technology has never been more convenient and the efficient truck you’ve always wanted can be achieved in a mere few sessions. Let’s take a look at different types of trucks, how bedliners work and what you can use for your own home projects.
How Have Trucks Changed?
Let’s start off with some fun facts. Did you know that both trucks and cars originated from a steam-powered vehicle created back in the late 1700’s? These didn’t become common until decades later and were originally used for very basic and quick tasks, quite unlike the lengthy and heavy expeditions modern technology is known for. Diesel engines were introduced relatively recently, back in the 1930’s, and electric engines are still being heavily studied for their effect on the environment. For every eight new vehicles sold in the U.S., at least one of them was a full-size pickup truck. The industry titans, even now, are Chrysler, Ford and General Motors.
How Many People Own Trucks?
The United States is known for being the car capital of the world and nowhere is that more evident than its love for big trucks. Be they pickup trucks or sleeker models, these vehicles are popular for their ability to transport large cargo and pets. There are over 250 million registered vehicles in the country, a significant portion belonging to trucks. The year 2012 saw nearly two million pickup trucks sold in the United States alone! This figure jumped again by 8% in August of 2015, cementing that trucks of all shapes and sizes are still a much beloved foundation of American culture. Now, what about bedliners and cut tape?
What Are Truck Bedliners?
A spray on bedliner is a smooth and flexible material that discourages rot and rust when transporting cargo. Its unique shape encourages a strong grip and makes for easy cleaning sessions. Thankfully for the do-it-yourself types, there are two simple types of spray-on bedliners — there are the oxygen-catalyzed and the chemically catalyzed. They also come in two classes of material as well as application processes, with both aromatic and aliphatic compounds needing either a low pressure process or high pressure process. Cut tape is used to help you measure, not unlike an artist at their easel. While this can all sound a little complicated, rest assured that it’s as easy as one, two, three.
Where Do I Get Started?
First things first — it’s time to clean your truck! A quick wash will remove any dirt and grime that can interfere with the sealing process, with the added benefit of eliminating potentially harmful old paint or rust. Deep rust deposits will need a 150-grit sandpaper to properly remove (make sure to cover your eyes, mouth and nose for safety!). The second coat of paint can be applied only after the first has completely set, which can take six hours or more. Last, but not least, make sure you properly measure the thickness of your application. While thin coatings are prone to cracking and chipping, overly thick coatings can alter the shape of your truck bed. Proper spray on bedliners can add years of protection and strength against the elements, making it one of the most popular do-it-yourself truck projects around!