1.866.366.7035 3221 Lawnwood St. Ft Worth, TX 76111
1.866.366.7035 3221 Lawnwood St. Ft Worth, TX 76111

BedLiner Frequently Asked Questions

Equipment

What type of equipment do you use? Is it a high or low pressure system?

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.

Does your spray gun have a trigger?

Yes. We use the Probler P2 gun. the original Probler has been the industry standard since it was patented in 1974. The new Probler P2 continues the tradition. It is ergonomically designed and is the lightest gun in the coatings industry.

What are the differences between your gun and others on the market?

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.

What’s the difference between high and low pressure machines?

The primary differences are:

  1. High pressure systems spray at 2000–3500 psi, while low pressure systems typically spray at 500–700 psi.
  2. Low pressure systems use air to atomize the material, high pressure systems use heat and pressure, producing a finer, more even texture.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

Does your equipment heat the material, or do you spray cold?

Our equipment has electronically controlled heaters that heat the material to a set temperature, usually 160° F. This lowers the viscosity of the product, giving you a finer textured bedliner.

What’s the difference between your high pressure equipment and others on the market?

Most of the high pressure systems are very similar. We have been in the business of sprayed bedliners since 1991 and as a result of our experience, we find it important to include in our package a number of additional features that make the overall system easier to use.

What are the electrical requirements of your equipment?

230 VAC, 69 AMPS, 50/60 HZ, single phase power OR 230 VAC, 43 AMPS, 50/60 HZ, three base power

What are the air requirements of your equipment?

26 CFM at 100 psi, 7.5 horsepower

How long is the hose, and how long can it be?

Our standard hose is 50’, however you can have up to 210’ of hose with our AGX 2500 system.

What is the capacity of your machine?

Up to 1 gallon per minute with our AGX 2500 system. However, other machines are available

Is your equipment portable?

Yes. Our equipment is easily loaded into a truck or trailer for on-site applications.

What does it take to go mobile?

You need power and air at the job site. If it is not available, simply rent a generator and compressor and bill the rental to the job.

MATERIAL

How much material do you spray on a truck?

Spraying a bedliner requires 3–5 gallons of material, depending on the size of the truck bed and if over-rail protection is applied.

How thick do you spray the material?

A typical bedliner gets sprayed with six coats on the floor at 15–20 mil (1 mil=1/1000”) per coat for a total of about 1/8”. The sides get three coats for a thickness of about 1/16”.

Why do you not spray your material 1/4” thick, like your competitors claim?

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.

Is your material polyurethane or polyurea?

Our material is a hybrid blend of polyurethanes and polyureas. The truth is that each material has its benefits and strengths, and a blend offers you the best of both products.

What percentage of your material is polyurea?

Just like a good cook, we can’t divulge our ingredients. However, just ask any of our applicators if they would like us to change the formula. The answer will be a resounding no.

Will Ameraguard® hold up in rugged conditions and temperature extremes?

Ameraguard®’s material will not warp, crack, peel or split because of weather or other environmental factors. Ameraguard® has been tested in such diverse climates as the cold of the Canadian north to the intense heat and humidity of the southern coast of Louisiana.

Why is your material any better than your competitors’?

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.

Is high pressure material better than low pressure material?

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

How much money do I need to get into the sprayed bedliner business?

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.

How much does your material cost?

We offer discount pricing based on volume ordered and method of payment. A rough average is $33 per gallon.

How much does it cost to spray one truck?

On average, 4.5 gallons at $33 per gallon would be $148.50 plus masking materials ($15) making it a total of $163.50. Include two man-hours of labor per truck sprayed.

How much can I sell a bedliner for?

This depends on a number of factors in your market, including competition. Typically a sprayed bedliner sells for between $400 and $650.

How much can I charge for a colored sprayed bedliner?

Colored bedliners can be sold for an additional $200–$300 per application. They are becoming very popular.

How much extra does it cost to do a colored bedliner?

A color application entails the following added expenses for the applicator:
Pigment: $40
Top Coat: $30
Automotive pigment for top coat: $30–$100
Total: $100–$170
Plus an additional man-hour of labor.

What wholesale price is offered to car dealers?

Car dealers typically look to make at least $50–$100 on the sale of a bedliner through a third party supplier. This margin supports their decision to sell a sprayed bedliner over a drop-in to their customers.

Do you extend credit to your dealers? Can i pay for my material net 30 days?

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.

Does Ameraguard® have a financing program for the original purchase?

No, Ameraguard® does not offer direct “in-house” financing for the purchase of an Ameraguard® dealership.

Does Ameraguard® have a leasing program for the original purchase?

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.

COMPANY

How long have you been in business?

Ameraguard® was incorporated in 1991.

Where are your dealers located?

The Ameraguard® opportunity is available worldwide. Please visit our web site for more information. www.ameraguard.com.