Auto Body & Collision Repair News, Tips & Advice

Everything You Need to Know About LINE-X Protective Coatings

Written by Michael Whittemore | Aug 30, 2021 8:17:00 PM

LINE-X makes a bold claim. The spray-on coating solution, mostly used to protect truck beds, acts as a nearly indestructible suit of armor.

Intrigued, a crew from the popular YouTube series “How Ridiculous” set out to test this assertion.

They dropped all sorts of items covered in LINE-X from a 150-foot tower and found the protective coating could protect a lightbulb, a watermelon, and an egg from shattering on impact. Scientists from Discovery Channel’s “MythBusters” determined LINE-X coated walls could withstand impact against C-4 live-fire explosions. Further, the Army Corps of Engineers and Air Force Research Academy tested and back LINE-X’s blast-mitigation coating.

Suffice it to say, LINE-X lives up to the hype. It’s easy to understand why vehicle owners looking to prolong the life of their investment and eliminate concerns about rusting, scratching, chipping, as well as general wear and tear, choose LINE-X as their defender. And trained technicians can LINE-X almost anything including bumpers, bull bars, grills, rocker panels, and Jeep tubs.

Yeah, LINE-X is truly that good.

What Is LINE-X?

For over 25 years, LINE-X has led the way in spray-on protective coating technology as the first and only franchised network for this type of product in North America. The coating, which started primarily as a bedliner, is now being used to cover and protect components from bumper to bumper, inside and outside of the vehicle, as well as the commercial, industrial, and manufacturing industries. In addition to bedliners, the LINE-X range of products and services includes parts and accessories, specialty automotive, and protective coatings. We at Flagstaff Collision Center are proud to be an official LINE-X product installer with extensive training and multi-point inspection for quality control.

LINE-X Bedliner - Before & After Truck Bed

How Does LINE-X Work?

LINE-X spray-on coating forms permanent bonds at the molecular level and has excellent adhesion to a wide variety of surfaces. Whether applied to metal, fiberglass, concrete, plastic, or wood, LINE-X can absorb impact and resist damage by remaining flexible and strong, without losing adhesion. The material is designed to dry in a matter of seconds, which allows an even distribution without runs, sags, or pooling, backed by a lifetime end-to-end nationwide warranty.

For a LINE-X truck bedliner, the vehicle needs to be dropped off at an authorized installer like ours. Unlike other spray-on or drop-in processes, the treatment is professionally applied by a certified LINE-X technician at high pressure and high temperatures, bonding instantly and permanently to the truck. The total job, including bed preparation, masking, and spraying, takes about three hours depending on the number of customizations. The truck is then ready for light hauling immediately, but it’s advised to wait a day before any heavy-duty work.

Benefits of LINE-X

  • Prevents leaks, rust, and corrosion
  • Long-lasting
  • Easy to clean
  • No cracking, bubbling, or peeling
  • Resists staining from harsh chemicals
  • Fade-resistant
  • Produces less noise
  • Nationwide lifetime warranty

The Different LINE-X Formulas

LINE-X formulas are specialized, high-performance spray-on elastomeric coatings engineered for maximum durability and limitless application potential. Thanks to research and product testing in both harsh real-world and laboratory conditions, LINE-X can offer an array of chemical combinations that result in specialized applications. LINE-X protective coatings are environmentally friendly with specific products rated for fire safety, approved for use in potable (drinking) water systems, recommended by the FDA, and trusted by the U.S. military.

STANDARD

LINE-X’s signature bedliner is time-tested over 20 years with durability, function, and affordability. The STANDARD formula is known for resisting staining from harsh chemicals and preventing leaks, rust, and corrosion.

PREMIUM

LINE-X’s advanced formula couples the abrasion and impact protection in the STANDARD with the UV protection a bedliner needs to stay looking like new forever. This coating is made to be durable, versatile, and fade-resistant like sunscreen.

PLATINUM

LINE-X PLATINUM has improved spray-on protection on the molecular level. The formula uses a pure polyurea technology that combines strength and flexibility to create the total bedliner package: maximum toughness, durability, and UV stability.

XTRA

XTRA can be customized to any color or coded to match a specific automotive paint with the added confidence of LINE-X protection. Authorized technicians can pigment any coatings, whether it’s a silver truck bed or a candy-apple red rocker panel.

ReNew

ReNew is a bedliner enhancement system that can repair old, faded, or gouged spray-on truck bedliners. This proprietary surface treatment adheres to any existing polyurethane and polyurea coating, completely resurfacing the damaged area. A worn-out bedliner can be restored to its original condition with added UV resistance.

What Can LINE-X Be Used For?

  • Truck beds
  • Motorcycles
  • ATVs
  • Watercraft
  • Farm equipment
  • Stadium seats
  • Toolboxes
  • Kennels
  • Speaker boxes
  • Much more

 

LINE-X FAQs

If you’re toying with the idea of using the LINE-X coating where protection matters most, you probably have questions. Here is a list of common “asks” from our customers.

Does LINE-X really work?

When examining LINE-X’s efficacy, look no further than a thin coating’s ability to hold up a concrete wall during a bomb blast. LINE-X’s products are trusted by the U.S. military and defense industries for high levels of protection and have been used on everything from bridge supports to submarines and the Pentagon. LINE-X is the only company in the industry with a dedicated full-time research and development staff to ensure the products and services are subject to rigorous testing.

How long does the LINE-X process take?

The LINE-X process typically takes about three hours. LINE-X sets up in about five seconds, but it needs 24 hours to fully cure before a heavy workload.

Will the drain holes in my truck bed remain open with LINE-X?

One of the advantages of LINE-X over a drop-in bedliner is that a truck’s natural drainage system remains intact. That means no splash upon first drive after rain or ice block, in the back of the truck, during the winter.

How much does LINE-X cost?

The cost of a LINE-X spray-on bedliner averages around $500. Prices vary depending on size of the vehicle, under versus over the rail, and color application. Each LINE-X dealer is independently owned and operated, therefore free to set prices at fair market value.

Can LINE-X withstand extreme temperatures?

You can find LINE-X trucks in the bitter cold of Alaska to the high heat of our home state. LINE-X is rated for use in temperatures from sub-zero to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. There is even a commercial grade product for those applications in need of a higher temperature requirement up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

What is LINE-X made of?

The science behind LINE-X is fascinating. LINE-X is made from a two-part polyurethane elastomer system, equal parts hardener and resin. This mixture of two different molecules is kept separate until sprayed on a surface. When the molecules bind together, they create a single molecule called polyurea. This molecule contains very long chains of atoms. These chains get tangled together at the atomic scale, which makes them hard to pull apart. At the same time, they are also extremely flexible, which produces an elastic effect.

Is LINE-X waterproof?

LINE-X is waterproof and can be used on recreational vehicles and watercraft. LINE-X can prepare a boat keel in a similar manner to a truck bed – completely sealing exteriors against leaks, while adding protection against impact and abrasion.

Does LINE-X have different color options?

LINE-X comes in virtually any color. Overall aesthetics are very important as many owners desire rugged durability and an exterior coating for daily driving. The best colors for trucks are typically black, grey, blue, or green.

Can I put LINE-X on vehicles other than my truck?

LINE-X can be applied to almost any surface. LINE-X can be used wherever there is a need for durable protective coating. Examples of other vehicles that benefit from LINE-X include motorcycles, jeeps, vans, commercial trucks, semi-tractor-trailers, and boats.

Is LINE-X repairable?

If your vehicle does sustain damage and requires repairs, you can take it to any authorized LINE-X dealer to restore the protection and smooth finish.

What is LINE-X's warranty?

LINE-X offers a limited lifetime national warranty. It is warranted for as long as you own the vehicle for peeling, blistering, flaking, bubbling, or other workmanship issues. If you move out of the area, the warranty is also covered by an extensive network of LINE-X dealers throughout the country.

Can I buy LINE-X for personal use?

No. LINE-X is only for official franchisees and professional auto collision partners.

The Official LINE-X Installer of Flagstaff

A drop-in bedliner or mat may seem like a quick fix, but it does not offer the same protection as LINE-X. We can safeguard your vehicle from anything you or mother nature dishes out on worksites, off-roading in extreme desert environments, or exposure to mountain snow and high heat. From the everyday ride to extraordinary specialty vehicles, we have you covered with uncompromising protection. Contact us today to learn more about LINE-X and what it can do for your vehicle.