Like to save money and do it yourself. A roll on bed liner is a great project especially for an older truck. Installing a bed liner yourself can stop the downhill slide of an older truck and make it look a whole lot better. It's really easy to do, but here are a few tricks that may help...

Trick 1 - Use paint cleaner...

A regular automotive paint cleaner that is. That's a wax and grease remover. Use it before you start sanding. Otherwise the wax and grease can get ground into the paint.

Trick 2 - Sand rough...

What you want is a really roughed up surface where you apply the truck bed paint. So use coarse abrasives and really dull that surface before you paint. That's key to a coating that really sticks.

Trick 3 - Rollers are fine...

A roller applied finish looks like it was sprayed on. Bed liner paint is very thick. It settles as it dries and no way you can tell a roller finish isn't a spray on finish. It looks that good.

Trick 4 - 5 quarts...

A gallon isn't enough to cover most trucks. You'll need at least 5 quarts. One reason professional liners are more durable is the coatings are very thick. A professional spray on liner takes several gallons. Don't skimp. Get at least 5 quarts.

Trick 5 - Get the right paint...

All bed liner paint is not the same. Herculiner, Plasti-Kote and Duplicolor are the major brands. Each is a little different. Check out the differences to find out what's best for your truck.

A roll on bed liner is a fast way to improve the looks of your truck. It's a lot cheaper than a professional liner, but it's not hard to get it done. Preparation is important and so is choosing the right paint.