Auto body repair & detailing: Misc Body Issues, bed rail caps, spray on bed liners

Question
Hi, I've got a 97 Dodge Dakota. Most of the truck is in very nice shape, but the bed and bed rails are pretty dinged up. It does not have a bed liner, bed rail caps, etc. I am considering purchasing some of that spray-on liner you can buy at auto parts stores for the bed itself. After I spray it down, I'd like to get a drop in liner for it (I've heard that a drop in liner is not always a good solution by itself because it doesnt not prevent the bed from deteriorating underneath). For the bed rails, I would like to sand them down and re-apply some matching factory simulated paint, and then add some nice bed rails. Anyway my two questions are:

1) Is that spray on liner stuff really worth it? I plan to put a drop in bed liner in it eventually, but I want to protect the bed and make it look good until I purchase the drop in. Will this be adequete? Does this stuff really work?

2) How do I find paint of match my factory paint? I got the paint code from the door jamb, and I've been to two different stores and neither of them even had it listed, let alone carry it. Do you know of any placed online I could find and purchase this paint?

Answer


 The spray on bed liners are definately worth it.  I had a Duraliner sprayed on on my old 96 silverado and it held up to anything.  If I still had a pickup, I would definately get it again.  Drop in liners are, in my opinion, a waste of money.  They don't look as good, won't last as long, will still scratch the painted bed underneath, and can cause the finish to deteriorate (if there isn't airflow underneath) over time.  I would definately recommend getting a Duraliner or Rhino Liner spray on over just a drop in.  It is sufficient by itself.  I would probably recommend having it done at a shop instead of doing it yourself, however.  The can actually spray it so it protects the bed rails.

 I'm not sure where to find the paint (I don't deal with body work).  If it's only a little touchup paint you need, check at a Dodge dealer.  You can usually find it in the parts/service dept.  of all dealers.  

Hope this helps,

~Jeron