I am a polyurethane raw material supplier with decades of experience in the raw material industry. Our raw materials are widely used in the automotive industry. Our customers use Spray-on bedliner method makes the truck bed more wear-resistant and durable during daily use. However, some customers also choose the drop-in bedliner method. Both methods are aimed at making the truck bed more durable, so how to choose? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each method?
What is Spray-on Bedliner ?
Spray-on Bedliner is a process that sprays PU or polyurea materials on the truck bed to form a protective layer inside the truck bed. It can make the truck bed more resistant to wear, scratches and corrosion.
Advantages of Spray-on Bedliner
- Custom Made: Spray-on bed liner can perfectly fit the shape of your truck bed, no need to worry about size issues.
- Rich colors:Although most cargo bed liners are black, you can add color paste to the spray material to make the cargo bed liner match the color of the car paint
- Long service life and easy to clean: The spray-on cargo box liner fits tightly together with the cargo box, so there is no need to worry about displacement, sliding, or falling off. The service life is almost the same as the service life of the truck, and no debris will fall into the interlayer, which is also very easy to clean.
- Rich application scenarios: not only trucks, the spraying process can also be applied to bumpers, fenders and even the entire vehicle
Disadvantages of Spray-on Bedliners
- High initial investment: Spray-on Bedliner requires professional spraying equipment and precisely proportioned spraying materials. Contact SPC and we can provide you with these.
- Highly technically demanding:Before painting, the truck bed surface must be thoroughly sanded, cleaned and taped to avoid overspray and adhesion issues
- Fading: Spray-on cargo box liners will also fade over time due to long-term exposure to ultraviolet rays. Currently, most manufacturers on the market choose to use black because black does not fade too noticeably. However, our spray-coated materials have added anti-ultraviolet technology to reduce the impact of ultraviolet rays on the coating and delay fading.
What is Drop-in Bedliner ?
Drop-in bedliner are usually made of plastic or rubber. Bedliner manufacturers will customize fixed-size beds according to the truck brand.
Advantages of Drop-in Bedliner
- Economical: The cost of a single-piece insert is lower than a spray-onbedliner, but it cannot provide long-term protection and is more suitable for individuals who do not use the truck bed frequently.
- Easy installation: You can purchase fixed-size pads and install them without specialized equipment or professionals.
- Easy to replace: If your truck is often worn out, it is quick and easy to replace it with a Drop-in Bedliner.
Disadvantages of Drop-in Bedliner
- Noise:Some bedliner may vibrate and become loose due to size issues during vehicle driving, which may cause noise problems when the vehicle is driving at high speed.
- Difficult to clean:There is a gap between the gasket and the truck bed, which allows debris to fall in and water to accumulate. If the water is not cleaned for a long time, the bed will rust and corrode.
- Safety Issues:In a worst-case scenario, there is a risk that a drop-in bed liner could fly out of the truck bed while driving . The last thing you want is a chain reaction of accidents caused by a drop-in bed liner failing and flying out of the truck.
What is the difference between Spray-on vs Drop-in Bedliner?
Comparison items | Spray-on Bedliner | Drop-in Bedliner |
Materials and construction | PU/polyurea requires professional spray equipment and construction (preparation/paint grinding) | Injection molded plastic or rubber sheet, quick installation, can be done by yourself |
Fit | Precisely fits the car body to form a seamless protective layer | Prefabricated, there may be gaps between the body and the car |
Durability | Very durable, corrosion-resistant, and wear-resistant; professional, usually with warranty | Low, easy to crack and deform; frequent replacement is more likely to cause |
Sealing | High, prevent moisture and debris from entering; reduce rust | There is a risk of water accumulation, which is prone to rust and corrosion |
Construction costs | Higher ($350–700), but more valuable in the long run | Low cost ($50–400), cost-effective |
Ease of installation | Requires professional personnel and equipment, can be used after one construction; permanent | Easy to install, disassemble and clean, suitable for temporary use |
Anti-slip and anti-noise | Customizable texture, anti-slip; good silent effect | Rubber has better anti-slip effect, but plastic will produce noise and vibration |
Affecting the cabin space | Integrate with the carriage, no additional space occupied | Thick and takes up more space |
Applicable scenario suggestions | The first choice for heavy load, long-term use, and those who value durability and value preservation; rubber pads can be added for added protection after construction. | Suitable for occasional use, those on a budget, or those who want easy installation and removal |
User suggestions | Used with rubber pads to improve shock absorption and service life | The initial use is acceptable, but it is recommended to upgrade to spraying in the long term |
The decision between a spray-on or drop-in bedliner depends on your frequency of use, budget, and the importance you place on long term vehicle protection.
If you’re looking for a precise fit, ultimate durability, and a long-term return on investment , a spray-on bedliner is undoubtedly the better choice, especially for trucks that frequently load and unload heavy loads or are used for commercial transport.
If, on the other hand, you only use the bed occasionally, have a limited budget , and want to replace or remove the bedliner at will , a drop-in bedliner offers greater flexibility and convenience.
Each solution has its own advantages, and the key is to find the one that best suits your actual needs .
How To Choose?
✅ According to the frequency of use and purpose
- Frequently load heavy objects and use for long periods of time → Select Spray-on
- Occasional use, light loading → Select Drop-in
✅ According to budget
- Adequate budget, focus on long-term protection → Spray-on
- Limited budget, temporary or short-term use → Drop-in
✅ According to the age of the vehicle
- Plan to use your current vehicle long-term → Spray-on (semi-permanent)
- Possible resale or replacement of vehicle → Drop-in (removable)
✅ According to climate and cleaning habits
- In rainy and humid areas, rust and water accumulation prevention is required → Spray-on
- Dry environment, easy to keep dry → Drop-in
✅ According to the convenience of repair and replacement
- Want to use it for a long time after one application → Spray-on
- Frequent replacement, requiring flexible handling → Drop-in
SPC Spray-on Bedliner Solution
Whether you’re new to spray applied cargo box liners or seeking a higher-performance, more efficient spraying solution, SPC offers one-stop support. We not only provide stable and reliable polyurethane/polyurea spray materials, but also professional spraying equipment, construction training, and technical guidance to help you quickly get started and stand out from the competition.
- From raw materials → equipment → process → finished product effect
- We not only sell products, but also provide complete solutions.
Choose SPC to make your Bedliner project more efficient, more professional and more competitive in the market.