We use Graco high pressure equipment. All of our systems come with a complete warranty and our experienced technicians know every nut, bolt, seal and hose.
BedLiner Frequently Asked Questions
Equipment
We use the same gun that most other high pressure systems use. Compared to the low pressure systems, our system is more efficient, using at least 1/2 gallon less material per truck. You don’t waste time with changing mixing tubes after each application, or waste money on this change. A triggered gun makes the job much easier for the applicator. Also, the mixing tubes of low pressure systems cost $2–$3, adding thousands of dollars to your operating costs each year.
The primary differences are:
- High pressure systems spray at 2000–3500 psi, while low pressure systems typically spray at 500–700 psi.
- Low pressure systems use air to atomize the material, high pressure systems use heat and pressure, producing a finer, more even texture.
- High pressure systems use a trigger controlled spray gun. Low pressure systems typically use a continuous flow gun, with no trigger, that uses a mixing tube.
- The use of a triggered gun saves at least 1/2 gallon of material per application. This adds up to a large amount of material costs per year.
MATERIAL
This is a common question, and one of the biggest misconceptions in our industry today. Companies who claim a 1/4” thick bedliner are misleading consumers in most cases. You will commonly see “up to 1/4” thick” on advertising materials and brochures. The catch is the “up to.” These applicators use “edging” techniques- the process of spraying extra material on the edges of the truck bed- giving the illusion of 1/4” thickness throughout. Some go even further by telling potential dealers that the material is sprayed 3/8” to 1/4” thick on the floor and 1/8” on the sides. But if asked how much material is used in application, they suggest an average of 4 1/2 to 5 gallons. The math simply doesn’t add up!
To determine the volume of 100% solids material required to meet this specification, we use a simple, straight-forward volume calculation. One gallon of polyurethane material will cover 1,604 ft² at 1/1000” thick (1 mil.) To determine the volume required to cover a given area at a given thickness, we multiply the area (in square feet) by thickness (in mil) and divide by 1,604.
Gallons= square feet x thickness (mil) 1,604 mil/ft²/gal
To illustrate, we measured the truck bed of a Ford Ranger:
Floor: 33 ft²
Tailgate: 6.4 ft²
Total at 1/4”:
39.4 ft² x 250 mil (1/4”)
1,604 mil/ ft²/gal = 6.14 gallons
Sides: 31.2 ft²
Total at 1/8”:
31.2 ft² x 125 mil(1/8”)
1,604 mil/ft²
/gal = 2.43 gallons
This is a total of 8.57 gallons, or 97% more than the company claims as their average amount of material per truck. And this is a small truck!
A full size truck with a long box and over-rail protection will use over 11 gallons of material at the advertised thickness. We should note that 11 gallons of coating will also weigh 101 lbs. Not only will you make no margin on the bedliner, the customer won’t be too thrilled about the added weight to their vehicle.
Our material out-performs others for the following reasons:
- “User friendliness.” It can be sprayed in virtually any climate or under any weather conditions.
- It is slow enough that it “wets” into body seams, but fast enough not to run or sag.
- It produces a great looking texture, not the typical dry looking finish.
- It has physical properties that are higher than most other bedliner products.
- It uses a very heavy loading of high-grade pigment, giving it a rich black color that resists chalking longer than any other black bedliner we know of.
Not neccessarily. As with all things, there are trade offs. The softer, low pressure material gives a bit more grip, while the harder high pressure material is much more resistant to physical damage. This difference is especially important on hot days when the surface temperature of a black bedliner can reach 160°F in the sun. At these temperatures low pressure polyurethane material softens, losing up to 50% of its strength. The harder high pressure polyurethane/polyurea hybrid material is less susceptible to the effects of temperature change.
PRICING AND FINANCING
This depends on whether you will be starting a standalone operation, or adding Ameraguard® to your existing business. If you are adding to your existing business, you will need the cost of the initial package plus spray area, compressor, electrical and ventilation work.
If you are setting up a standalone operation you will need to have enough funds to cover the initial package price, a facility, insurance, office and shop equipment, spray area, compressor, electrical and ventilation requirements. You should also have enough operating capital to sustain the business until it is generating enough positive cash flow to sustain itself. $75,000–$100,000 is typical to cover everything, of which a considerable amount can be financed through a lease OAC over three to five years.
Ameraguard® does not extend unsecured credit to dealers for the purchase of material. We do, however, allow dealers to charge parts, pigments and promotional items on account. Ameraguard® will accept credit from dealers that provide an irrevocable letter of credit for an amount equal to or greater than the cost of materials purchased. Net 30 day terms are available for dealers that meet certain criteria on a case by case basis.
Ameraguard® can put a prospective dealer in touch with a number of credible leasing agencies familiar with our business. In many cases, leasing is an attractive financing option which allows you to get into business for a small initial investment- usually first and last month’s payment. Leasing agencies typically require that you have been in business for two years and have a good credit rating.