The best roll on bedliner can rejuvenate your old truck, giving it a new lease of life. 

It looks slick, it keeps cargo from shifting and it protects the truck from scratches, dents, dings, rust, chemicals, gashes and other wounds that truck beds magically seem to pick up.  

However, the opinions about bedliners seem to be all over the place. 

There are truck owners who feel that roll on liners are not worth the hassles. Well, deep pockets I guess. 

Then there are DIYers who gladly recommend the best roll on bed liner in place of a more expensive spray-on option. That makes total sense in our humble opinion.  

Sometimes, you get a steal deal on an old truck and want to show some TLC. But spray-on liners by a professional might end up costing more than the truck itself.  

If you decide to do it yourself, the prep alone can be killing. Also, there’s a million ways to do it wrong. 

Roll-on bedliners on the other hand are super easy to install, hold up really well to the vagaries of weather and are at least 50% cheaper, if not more. 

If you are looking for the best roll on bedliner for your truck, then you are in the right place. 

Herculiner HCL1B8 Brush-on Bedliner

Last update on 2021-09-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Herculiner HCL1B8 is the top rated polyurethane roll on bed liner in the business. 

It is a black protective coating that you can apply with reasonable ease, provided you follow the instructions to the T. 

That might make it sound like an uphill task. But it’s really simple.

Just clean the surface to remove any traces of wax or oil, mask areas that you do not want to cover and apply the liner. You get a brush as well as a roller to apply it. 

A one gallon can of the liner will offer thick coverage on a 6-7 feet bed. Thickness being subjective, there are customers who use the 1-gallon can to do two coats on their truck beds as well. 

Alternatively, you can do the bed rails instead of a dual coat. 

The liner is 5-times thicker than other liners and offers comprehensive protection against chemicals, gasoline and solvents. It bonds easily to the surface and does not peel, flake or chip. 

Overall, this is definitely one of the best roll on bedliners that you can buy. 

Installation tips: If the surface is brand new and needs prepping, buy/rent an orbital sander. It will make life easier for you. Else, just a basic scruff pad should work. Also buy a paint stirrer attachment for an electric drill to mix the liner. You might need a better quality roll pad and a brush as well. 

Best features

• Top rated Polyurethane liner
• Black protective coating
• Comprehensive coverage in 1 gallon
• Protects against chemicals, solvents, gasoline
• Reasonably easy installation
• Holds up for years without flaking or peeling

Rust-Oleum Truck Bed Coating

Last update on 2021-09-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Rust-Oleum’s Truck Bed Coating is an easy-to-apply polymer coat that offers comprehensive protection from rust, chemicals and scratches. 

You can use this to protect trailer floors, step areas, fenders on off-roaders and of course, truck beds. 

This is a black coating that dries fast and has a slightly textured finish that can help prevent cargo slippages. The abrasive finish also allows the coating to form easily to contoured surfaces and makes it easy to get even coverage. 

You can paint this or use a roller for application. However, based on customer feedback as well as personal experience, a regular paint brush seems to offer better results as compared to a roller.

Rust-Oleum needs minimal prep. A little sanding with a 60-120 grit sandpaper, minimal cleaning to remove water and chemicals and you should be good to go. The fast drying formula cures in 4-5 hours even in areas with high humidity. 

One can offers up to 40-sq feet of coverage, which is comprehensive. 

There are customers who have used this for over a couple of years with no problems like fading, peeling or scratches. It is one of the best roll-on bedliner products on the market today.

Installation tips: Keep stirring the coating before you apply. There are tiny particles that begin to clump if left undisturbed. This will not remove existing rust. That needs to be sanded and removed before applying this.

Best features

• Fast drying polymer coating
• Can be used to protect truck beds, fenders, step areas 
• Roll on or brush application
• Slightly abrasive texture that bonds easily to contoured surfaces
• Minimal prep
• Up to 40 sq feet of coverage

Dupli-Color Bed Armor

Last update on 2021-09-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Dupli-Color is a water-based polyurethane coating for truck beds and other surfaces. The primary difference between this and the other bed liner paint in this list, is that those are solvent based.

Solvent based formulas typically require a lot more prep. 

For this one, you just need to clean the surface with some warm water and soap. Minimal sanding may be required for completely glossy (factory finish) surfaces. The liner bonds and forms easily even with contoured surfaces. 

It forms a textured surface that is slip-free and impact resistant. Does not peel or flake when exposed to gasoline or other automotive chemicals. 

One Dupli-color bed liner kit suffices to cover a 6-feet truck bed. 

By the way, this best roll on bedliner is almost odor free and if you are allergic to nasty odors emitted by solvents, this will be a better choice. Also, this has no recoat window. You are free to apply the second coat whenever you feel like.

Installation tips: It is extremely important to clean and sand the area before application. Use warm water and soap, sand, allow it to dry completely before applying this. Also, two thinner coats hold up better than one thicker coat. 

Best features

• Water-based polyurethane formula
• Easy DIY protection for truck beds, tailgates and other areas
• No odor formula
• Minimal prep with water and soap
• Does not peel or flake

Durabak-18 Truck Bed Liner Kit

Last update on 2021-09-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Durabak-18 is a DIY solvent-based polyurethane coating for automobiles as well as marine vessels (inner surfaces only. Not bottom paint). It is MIL SPEC (military standard) and is officially used by the US Navy. 

It creates a safe, non-skid surface that holds up exceptionally well to extreme weather conditions, and constant exposure to salt water. 

Durabak creates a protective seal around metal, wood, fiberglass and concrete surfaces that protects it from rust, chemicals and impact-related scratches. 

Application is reasonably easy with a brush or a roller. If you are looking for a glossy finish, you can get 75-80sq.ft/gallon in 2 coats, whereas if you are looking for a textured finish, you get 60sq.ft/gallon in 2 coats.

For those who are interested in how thick the coat is, a double textured coat creates a 1/16″ thick layer on the surface. This creates a sound-dampening effect, which is always an added plus. 

One of the best features of this roll on bed liner is that it is available in 15-colors. You can pick one that matches your vehicle or intended application. Most of the other brands are just available in black or red. 

Installation tips: The prep is the key for any solvent based bed liner application. Do not cut corners while cleaning and sanding the surface. Use Xylene and a protective mask. The fumes can be toxic. Remove the masking tape while the paint is still wet. Else, it might get sealed and will be a pain to peel off. 

Best features

• Solvent-based polyurethane coating
• MIL SPEC (military standard) and used by the US navy for marine applications
• Skid-free and impact resistant surface
• Noise dampening
• Option to choose from smooth or textured finish
• Probably the best roll on bedliner complete kit
• 1/16” thick double coat
• Comprehensive coverage in one kit

Raptor Black Bed Liner Kit

Last update on 2021-09-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Raptor is a two-part urethane coating for automobile and marine surfaces. Each 1-gallon kit contains 4 cans of the raptor bed liner and 1 can of the 3:1 hardener, which creates a weather, rust, chemical and impact seal on the surface. 

Thanks to the hardener, it produces a really hard, tough coating that can be used on ATVs, boat decks, roll bars, trailers, push bars, decks, vans and a wide range of surfaces that can do with a bullet-proof layer of protection. 

The coating is black and has a slightly textured finish. If you intend to use this to prevent slippages, you have the option to buy a slip-resistant additive separately and add it to the solution before you apply it. 

Even otherwise, the textured surface works great for truck beds. It is impervious to scratches and scuff marks. Also holds up phenomenally well to UV exposure without fading. 

Application is as easy as it gets. Just mix the two solutions well before applying and follow the basic prep that you normally would. 

A lot of customer reviews talk about how this best roll on bedliner looks exactly similar to a professionally-done, $600 spray application.

Installation tips: Mix the solutions in an open, well ventilated area. If possible, set up a table with all the accessories you need for prep and application. The first application creates a sandy surface, which will get slightly glossier when you apply the second coat. 

Best features

• Two-part urethane coat
• Hard, impact resistant surface
• Perfect for automobiles and marine applications
• UV resistant coat
• Slightly textured finish
• Optional additive can be purchased for slip-free texture

Speedoliner T-Rex White Bedliner

Last update on 2021-09-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The T-Rex from Speedoliner is a white urethane coat that protects your truck bed from rust, chemicals and exposure to extreme weather conditions. 

Color preferences are subjective, but we like the white one over the black coatings. Better sunlight reflection and less heat, especially when used for outdoor sheds and similar applications. 

The fact that it’s white means that you are going to need at least two coats to get even coverage and to cover patches. Thankfully, this bed liner paint kit comes with 4-quarts that offers substantial coverage. 

You should easily be able to do a double coat on a large-sized pickup truck or a marine vessel of similar dimensions. 

It comes with a 24 oz. bottle of an activator, or a hardener. Mix 6 oz. of this with one quart of the coat and apply generously. The surface holds up really well to continual sun exposure, as well as to chemicals, and impact. 

The T-Rex dries extremely fast and offers 2K Urethane primer like durability for a variety of surfaces. 

Installation tip: The fumes are quite strong and will make your eyes water, even when you apply this outdoors. Either get a full face respirator, or get a respirator mask and goggles. 

Best features

• White urethane bed liner paint
• 2k Urethane Primer like protection
• Complete protection from weather, chemicals and scratches
• 4 quarts of coating to cover a sizeable area
• Comes with a hardener 

Dupli-Color – TRG252

Last update on 2021-09-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Dupli-Color TRG252 is a solvent-based polyurethane coating. If you recall, we previously have listed a water based version of this same brand. 

A lot of people find the water based bed liner too thin in consistency, and prefer a solvent based one instead.

So here we go. 

This is a 1-gallon container that provides enough coating to cover a large sized truck bed. Being solvent based, the consistency of the solution is a little thicker than that of the water based one. Hence, the application is easier done with a paint brush and a roller, than with a spray gun. 

It is a black, skid-resistant surface with a slight textured finish, that makes it really easy for you to haul cargo. The hardened surface also offers excellent impact resistance and does not wear out even with months of use. 

It prevents rust and does not peel or fade when exposed to extreme weather conditions. 

This is a multipurpose coating by the way, that can also be used on other parts of automobiles and marine vessels, such as steps, fenders, bedrails and tailgates. 

Installation tips: The surface will require cleaning with a solvent such as Xylene before application. If the truck bed is really smooth, we recommend using an orbital sander to scruff the surface to allow the coating to bond with it. 

Best features

• Top rated brand
• Solvent based urethane coating
• Easy application with paint brush and roll on
• Skid resistant, textured surface
• Makes it easier to haul cargo
• Prevents rusting 
• Does not peel or fade when exposed to UV

Dominion Seal Gator Guard II

Last update on 2021-09-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Gator Guard II from Dominion Seal is a high quality epoxy liquid bed liner that’s suited for a wide range of applications such as construction equipment, trucks, agricultural equipment, Off roaders, ATVs and marine vessels. 

It is a liquid coating that offers excellent resistance to abrasive chemicals as well as severe weather conditions. It produces a very hard, but flexible rubberized surface that’s naturally slip-proof. Great for aesthetics too. 

Makes it easy to haul cargo, as well as gain a firm footing when required. We also like that this has a sound dampening effect due to the thickness of the coat. 

The quick drying formula is VOC compliant and emits very little odor. That said, we still recommend that you use a respirator and protective goggles during application. 

The Gator Guard is available in both, white and black, which makes it easier for you to pick one that matches your vehicle color. 

1 kit of this truck bed liner paint offers 50-65 square feet coverage, which should suffice for a standard sized pick-up truck bed. 

Installation tips: There are two parts in the bed liner kit. Mix both and keep stirring before you apply on any surface. 

Best features

• 2-part epoxy based bed liner paint
• Fast drying formula
• VOC Compliant
• Low odor
• Available in both black and white
• Hard, rubberized finish 
• Skid-resistant
• Sound dampening

Roll On Bedliner Buyer’s Guide

Most first timers are torn between choosing a DIY solution such as a roll on bed liner vs. getting a professional one like Line-X. 

That’s partly because very little is known about these DIY coatings. 

This brief guide aims to answer most of the common doubts that people may have about these versatile coatings. 

What is a bedliner and why is it important? 

The bed of a pick-up truck is one of the only parts that’s constantly exposed to the weather and vigorously used (a fancier way of saying abused) for cargo hauling. 

A bedliner is a coating that lines the bed, protecting it from just about everything. 

That includes the weather, scratches, spilled chemicals, damaged cargo, wet boots, sludge, salt, ice. Just about anything that it gets exposed to constantly. 

Not only does it improve the aesthetics of the truck, it might also improve the resale value of your truck. According to some, it is estimated that bed liners can add up to $400 to the value of your vehicle. 

That might be subjective to a lot of factors, but it gives you a fair idea of why you should consider adding a bed liner, if you still haven’t. 

What are the types of bed liners that you can buy?

There are different types of bed liners that are available for use with automobiles. Not all of them offer the kind of protection that you ideally need. 

Rubber mats

Some old timers throw in thick rubber mats that protect the bottom of the truck bed. These can be useful to protect it from cargo damages and are probably the most effective at sound dampening. But they are a poor choice for weather protection. Not to mention the lackluster aesthetic appeal. These can allow water to seep in and get trapped underneath, which will cause rusting. 

Plastic bedliners

Plastic bedliners were quite common in new trucks until a few years ago. These are attached/bolted to the inside of the bed and work pretty much the same way that rubber mats do. The problem with these, is that along water seepage and rust formation, these will also peel the paint off the surface. 

Roll on bedliner

Roll on bedliners offer the most comprehensive protection against rust, weather and chemicals. These are generally made of polyurethane or epoxy and are available in different colors to match the application. These are also the easiest of the lot to apply yourself and cost only a fraction of what the spray-on varieties cost. 

Spray On Bedliner

This is hands down, the best option if you are looking to create a factory finish for the bedliner. That said, it is very difficult to apply yourself. You will have to hire a professional and it’s going to cost you almost 5x of what the bed liner costs itself. That’s the number 1 reason why most people opt for a roll on bedliner instead. It offers identical protection and less than half the price. The only difference is that there will be a little elbow grease involved with the latter. 

What makes a good quality bedliner?

Assuming that we are talking about the DIY varieties, a good quality bedliner has to have the following features. 

• Should be easy to apply
• Should adhere easily and evenly to the surface
• One kit should offer a reasonable amount of coverage
• Offer complete protection even if you do not apply a second coat
• Should not fade, peel or flake 
• Impact, chemical and rust resistance
• Should not take days or even hours to dry 
• The kit should contain the paint brush and the roller brush needed for application
• Multipurpose coating that can be applied on other parts of the vehicle
• Should not require a copious amount of prep before installation
• Reasonably priced

How to apply a roll on bedliner

There are four steps to a flawless application for any roll on bedliner. Before you even get to that, read the instructions that came with the kit. If you think that you’ve read it, read it again. 

Once you know what you are supposed to do, here are the four steps. 

Preparation

This is by far, the most critical step to ensure that you end up with the kind of results that you saw in that description image on the product website. The extent of prep the surface needs depends on how new, or how damaged it is.

In either cases, you want to strip the surface of any paint, any wax, solvents, oil or chemicals. Start off by washing it with a power washer. You don’t necessarily need industrial grade cleaners to do this.

Allow it to dry and then go to work with a sandpaper. We highly recommend an orbital sander. Makes life so much easier, especially when you are looking to cover a large area. Lastly, allow the bed to dry completely.

Look at the tools you need for installation. Despite being called ‘roll-on bedliner’, it’s actually easier to apply these with a paint brush. Chances are that the paint brush and the roller that came with the kit are flimsy, and you need a professional grade one. Collect everything you need before you get started. A respirator, goggles, paint stirrer, paint tray, painters tape and an electric drill are highly recommended. 

Remove Rust

If there’s rust, it must be removed. Else, it will eat into the metal like a parasite. Thankfully, the best roll on bedliners offer comprehensive protection against rust. So you don’t need to treat it. Just strip it clean. After you are done, wipe the surface clean with a rag and some alcohol. 

Mask

Use painters tape to mask off the areas that do not need to be coated. Always remove the tape while the coating is wet. It forms clean lines and ensures that the tape doesn’t get sealed with the paint. 

Apply the bed liner

If this is your first attempt at applying a bed liner, we recommend that you watch tutorials on YouTube to get an idea of the brush strokes. Generally, people like working from the front of the truck bed towards the back. Contours will be challenging. You either need a smaller roller or a smaller brush to cover those evenly. 

Can I just use regular paint instead of a bedliner kit? 

If you are alright with a surface that peels, fades with UV exposure, chips, flakes and allows water to permeate into the truck bed, sure. Regular paint will do just fine. 

But if you are looking to protect the surface from the savagery that it will very likely be exposed to, then you need the best roll on bedliner kit. No half-measures.