Repair 7

Solvent-based clear coats are used in the automotive industry to add gloss and protection to a colored paint. The most resilient clear coat products are made from urethane because of the hard, durable surface that it provides. Urethane application requires the correct equipment.

Mixing

Urethane products are used alongside a hardener and a thinner to promote fast drying times and an effective flow of material. Waxed measuring cups can be used for mixing small quantities but those completing repaints will require aluminium mixing pots, measuring sticks and ultra-fine grade filters to remove traces or hair, grit or other debris.

Spraying Equipment

Modern urethane products are applied using HVLP spray guns. Clear coats are atomized during the spraying process and this procedure is optimised by using the correct fluid tip set-up inside the gun. A compressor should be used and an air pressure regulator is required to help control material output.

Drying and Cleaning

Ideally, urethane products should be applied in a professional paint booth where low-bake facilities are provided. If this is not possible, ultra violet light stands are available to help promote faster drying times in ambient temperatures. Cellulose thinners should be used in HVLP spray guns to help clean and remove all traces of urethane products.

Spray-in bed liners are designed to stick to the bed of your truck for a lifetime. But if the need arises to remove the liner, there are a few options. Accomplishing the task by hand is tedious and messy, but can be less expensive. Having the liner professionally removed is often the best bet to get the refinishing you desire while minimizing risk.

Instructions

1

Use your hand grinder -- with a very rough tip -- to manually grind away to bed liner. This method will create a lot of dust, so wear a dust mask. Be cautious, because grinding can take several hours of hard labor and might damage the body of the vehicle.

2

Use the hammer and chisel to remove pieces of bed liner that the grinder couldnt get. Wear safety goggles and a dust mask to avoid injury. This is often a time consuming step as well.

3

Apply chemical stripper to the bed if the above methods dont work for you. Most strippers come in 2-3 foot square sheets and must be applied overnight or longer. You may need to apply it more than once, while scraping off pieces of bed liner between applications. Note that the stripping material usually has disposal regulations clearly marked on the side of the packaging.

4

Repaint your truck bed (if necessary) to match the rest of the vehicle once all the bed liner has been stripped off.

5

Contact a local dealer that provides "soda blasting" and painting services if the by-hand methods did not work or are unattractive to you. Professional soda blasting gently wears off the bed liner, decreasing the need for body work and minimizing possible paint damage.