Masonry Magazine February 2003 Page. 25
value, performance and attractiveness. The unique flexible, textured, non-porous lining is easy to clean and doesn't crack or warp, even under the most rugged conditions. Rhino's non-skid, non-abrasive surface texture helps keep your cargo load in place and insulates against annoying road vibration and noise.
And while the drop-in companies will show buyers the damage that scratched spray-on liners can cause to the truck bed underneath, Rhino and other spray-on companies will show illustrations of warped and cracked drop-in liners. So the battle goes on.
One claim that Rhino makes, which drop-in liner companies would have a hard time disputing, is that no one has ever stolen a Rhino liner from the truck. In fact, they claim that no one has ever wanted to remove one-which is good because they basically are part of the truck once applied.
It's the application that causes most of the concern. Overspray, poor conditioning of the bed, and moisture trapped under the sprayed material are issues that come up because, as Rhino and the other material suppliers quickly explain, the appliers are independent businesses and, although the quality of the material is guaranteed, the local applier is your resort if things go wrong. Like every other trade, including masonry, gypsy dealers and fly-by-night workers can ruin an industry's reputation.
Somewhere between spray-on, drop-in and toss-on bed liners is a hybrid. In Hartland, Wisc., there is a company with the '60s sounding name of California Dream making the DualComp bed liner. This hybrid combines hard plastic sidewalls with a thick rubber floor mat. Nancy Stumpf, president of California Dream, notes, "You can install and remove the bed liner in minutes or you can leave it in permanently. It looks great."
The DualComp's floor mat is slip resistant and is installed after the two side, front and tailgate wall panels are in place. A limited selection of vehicles can use the DualComp-1999 and newer Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra short bed pickups-but other makes and models are in the offing.
While not yet if ever-available for that 1936 International, the concept would be a good one for a custom or antique vehicle: show it without the bed liner and protect it in daily use with it. Wonder if California Dream takes custom orders?
LINKS
BedRug
www.bedrug.com
Pendaliner
www.pendacorp.com
Rhino Linings
www.rhinolinings.com
California Dream
www.california-dream.com
STEPSTONE, INC.
Classic Wall Caps
National Distribution
To complete any project...
Just Cap It!
CITRUS SUITES
SANTA MONICA
Stepstone, Inc.
FOR INFO CALL 800 572-9029
VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.STEPSTONEINC.COM
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February 2003
Masonry 23
The Voice of the Mason Contractor