Top 6 Best DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Bed Liners for Pickup Trucks in 2023

The truck bed is usually the first thing to succumb to wear and tear, therefore the first thing you should do is invest in the finest homemade truck bed liner for long-term protection. Preventing severe wear and tear will maintain your truck in good shape, lengthen its life, and help it retain its resale value.

There are several simple do-it-yourself solutions, the best of which can be found in our DIY truck bed liner evaluations, which also include a helpful bed liner buying guide and recommendations. We all know how much a good bed liner paint job can improve the overall appearance of your vehicle. It can also increase its toughness, which is beneficial for individuals who go off-road frequently.

If you’re thinking about painting your truck’s bed liner, take your time and consider if it’s a good idea. The very least you can do for your pickup truck is protect the interior from scuffs and scratches. Because you may not want to spend a lot of money on truck beds, we’ve put together a list of the finest DIY bed liners. Another guide to the finest roll-on-bed liners can be found here.

1. Black Urethane Truck Bed Liner Kit

If you consider yourself a DIY, you’ll want to buy up a few liters of U-POL Black Urethane Kit. The gun is included in this package, so it’s ready to use as soon as it comes to your door.

This involves appropriate preparation (taping off windows and lights, using degreaser and wiping it off, sanding any uneven surfaces, and so on), which is an important part of successful application.

After about an hour of drying, the glue should be firm to the touch. On the list, this is the simplest and most cost-effective spray-on liner.

2. Spray-On Kit with Spray Gun for U-Pol Raptor Urethane Bed Liners

Because they create such great liners, U-POL takes the top two positions on our list! This 4 liter DIY liner package will protect your truck’s bed liner from UV radiation, scratches, stains, and severe impacts. When you toss in wood or loose debris, it performs a fantastic job of deadening impacts and harsh noises.

According to the majority of user evaluations, this is the best DIY bed liner in terms of appearance, equivalent to professionally placed bed liners. The outcome, like with any liner, is reliant on adequate preparation. If you’re not sure how to accomplish this, see our bed liner installation tutorial at the bottom of this page.

3. Spray-On Urethane Truck Liner with Gun and Regulator by Custom Coat

The black Custom Coat urethane spray liner, with its excellent build quality and accompanying gun, earns a third place.

Sprays are popular because they are forgiving for novices while being accurate enough for pros. They also make applying even coatings throughout the truck bed simpler. The sanding of the truck bed before applying the DIY spray is the most time-consuming element of the process.

4. SmartLiner Truck Rugged Rubber Bed Liner Mat

If you are looking for a considerably easier DIY way of lining your truck bed, then a rubber bed liner mat might be a better solution for you! These easily roll into the bed, and are cut to fit the exact truck you are buying it for. They don’t bolt down, and don’t cover the sides of the bed making it an easy install, and an easy removal if needed.

These are also heavy enough that they won’t fly out of your bed, even if you don’t have a tonneau cover or topper for your pickup.

If you are someone that likes to throw heavy items into the back of your truck, the rubber build of the mat also softens the blow, meaning less damage to the metal underneath.

5. The Bed Rug BRB15CCK Truck Liner

There are several reasons why you should choose a truck bed mat versus a spray-on liner. First and foremost, installation is a breeze. This truck bed rug takes around 30 minutes to remove from the package and install, and it fits 90% of pickup trucks.

If you have any problems with the installation, there is a detailed video and written instructions available to assist you. The comfort is a hidden benefit of owning a bed rug. If you spend a lot of time in the back of your vehicle, the soft material will be a lifesaver for your knees. Not to mention that your pets will like riding in the back of your vehicle!

6. DualLiner Bed Liner – Works with Factory LED Lights

If you are someone that wants full covereage of their bed, but wants the ability to remove that liner, then a bed liner like this one is going to be the best bet! This is made with thick plastic that is made specifically for your truck.

You can easily remove the liner if you want to, and put it back when you need it.

While this is actually a very popular method, I do highly recommend you take it out every once in a while to check for any rust on the bed of your truck. Many people don’t do this, and it can cause rust by trapping water underneath of the plastic. This can easily be mitigated by just checking and cleaning your bed every once in a while.

What to look for when shopping for a DIY bed liner?

Type of DIY bed liner

Before you get too far into your journey of buying a DIY bed liner, you need to think through what types of bed liners there are! There are of course the spray or roll-in bed liners that most people know about, however there are also carpeted bed liners that work well with topper like these, rubber pads, and of course drop-in plastic bed liners.

Deciding which one is right for you will be the first, and most important step before moving forward.

Quality of the product

Just like anything else out there, there is going to be a wide range in quality for each type of do-it-yourself bed liner. Do your research, and make sure it is going to stand up to whatever you plan on throwing at your truck. Generally speaking, pricing will go with the quality, so if you need high quality, then be willing to put some hard earned cash towards it.

Cost of the bed liner

Speaking of quality being costly, you also should be thinking about your budget! One mistake you don’t want to make, is spending so much on a DIY bed liner, that you could have just had it done professionally instead. Professional bed liner will always be higher quality, and last longer, so make sure to weigh out the cost between the two and set your budget that you won’t go over, if you are going to go the DIY route.

Coverage of the liner

If you have decided on a roll-in or spray-in bed liner for your latest pickup DIY project, you need to be paying close attention to how much coverage you are going to need. A rookie mistake is to purchase too little liquid and get stuck with an incomplete liner.

I would always recommend buying a little more than you actually need to make sure you get the job done right, the first time.

Purpose you are hoping to achieve

So what are you trying to do with your bed liner? If you are looking for something that will stand up to time, and damage, then something like a roll-in or spray-in bed liner is going to be your best bet. However if you want something easily removable when you need, then a drop in plastic liner or carpeting is going to be a great option.

Carpeting is also great for those that have a topper (as previously mentioned) and want to be able to put items that shouldn’t get damaged in the bed. Things like firearms, music equipment, and other professional equipment.

Are DIY bed liners any good, or should you go with a professional option?

This has to be the biggest decision when it comes to outfitting your bed with some kind of a liner. Professionally having your truck bed sprayed will generally cost between $500 to $700 and should be able to stand up to really anything. I have a professionally sprayed bed, and will attest to the fact that you can throw anything you want at it.

However at a 1/5th of the cost, you can do it yourself with almost all of the benefits!

DIY bed liners are an awesome product that should work just fine for anyone that needs to get their truck lined at a relatively low cost.

However if you are willing to spend that extra budget, a professional spray in bed liner can’t be beat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Over the other choices, we recommend trying your hand at a DIY spray-in pickup truck bed liner. A bed mat or rug, on the other hand, will suffice if you’re on a budget and don’t want the same level of durability.

Check out our top selections for the finest pickup truck liners in the gallery above. Take your time applying the liner and be extra cautious with each step to ensure you achieve the desired result.