Do not become a bedliner applicator...before reading this! - Bedliner News

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Thursday, July 8, 2021

Do not become a bedliner applicator...before reading this!

  



Polyurea and Polyurethane Bedliners – 101

The truth is unless you are a scientist, extremely educated, or spend countless hours studying and processing chemicals and their properties, that provide a platform for bedliners can be overwhelming. This article is a good starter to explain the general differences between the physical properties of polyurethane, Polyurea, and poly hybrids. We are presenting this information and will be going into more detail in future posts. Those looking to do professional spray bedliner and other coatings can make a highly informed decision. 


Do not buy a professional bedliner or bedliner dealership without reading the information on this website first.


Polyurea

Polyurea is a process that requires the use of certain families of chemicals and successfully applies them onto different materials in different environments more than it is a specific product. It resists abrasion and tearing due to high tensile strength. 

Polyurethane

There is always a compromise when it comes to altering physical properties. Polyurethane is flexible and can be much softer than polyureas. A polyurethane spray lining has a greater chance of getting gouged than Polyurea due to its lower tensile strengths. We refer to materials that have very high levels of resistance to puncture, tear, and gouge. This does not mean that the material is weaker than the polyurea model.

Poly Hybrids

Poly Hybrid is used in professional bedliners. The Poly Hybrid is a combination of Polyurea and polyurethane, which provides the best benefits without compromise. For anti-slip and texture, a wide variety of paint chips and rubber are often added.

Poly liners bond to the surface mechanically, not chemically. This means that they require tiny grooves or ridges to hold on to. This is why most liners require extensive cleaning and sanding. Polyurea can be sprayed directly on ice or water, but polyurethane (and poly hybrids) are not. Therefore, you shouldn't spray a vehicle after it has been outside in the rain. If a polyurea has been applied, the surface must be completely dry.


Application Method

Do not be misled by the differences between high pressure and low temperatures.


Polyurea needs high pressure.

Although these terms may be confusing, there are two types of pressure: high and low. Low pressure gives the applicator greater control over the texture. This is crucial because many liners do not use aggregates, and the nonslip surface of liners is created with the application gun. The second misnomer is "hot" or "cold," as liner chemicals undergo an exothermic reaction after leaving the gun. This creates heat. There are also hot and cold applications. The chemicals can reach temperatures of 230-230F in both cold and hot applications. However, they reach 130-140F when heated.

Low-pressure cold application results in a more flexible and soft product. Hot application at high pressure results in a product that is more rigid and less flexible.


Curing Time

It must be dry before you can touch it. It must be dry before you can safely transport your load with the new liner. Hot applications dry in 3-5 seconds, while cold applications can dry in 20-25 secs. If you have to spray upside-down, like onto a ceiling, hot applications might be your best option. Spray-ins take 24 hours to cure.


UV Stability

In short, almost every product will eventually fade. While some companies may add UV inhibitors to their products, others may apply one as a topcoat. However, it is just a matter of time. Accept it.



If you wish to have the best of the best with the greatest look, the highest quality product, and the best application method, there is only one option. That option is ArmorThane. With over 30 years in business, they have managed to reinvent the business time and time. They were one of the first companies to offer Polyurea and polyurethanes for bedliners. With the recent addition of products like ArmorLiner, they have managed to make the bar even higher for other companies to attempt to compete. With insane chemical properties such as its tensile and tear resistance, elongation, and shore hardnessArmorLiner has proven to work for almost any application. Over the past few years, it has taken the lead for most purchased polyurea products in the US.

Click here to learn more about ArmorLiner and how you can become a bedliner applicator.



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