Answer to some of your questions about UV protection with Xtreme liners.

[Wildbill Tundra]

Talked to Isaac the guy who sprayed my truck and he stated the UV protectant is already mixed in with his product. He stated the liner will not turn that grayish color or fade. He did say over time the shinynes of it might go away but as far as the deep black it will stay deep black. He stated he loves the Extreme blend and that is why he chose to use it for his shop. If y'all have any questions go ahead and give him a call.

[bigpapa]

I am actually in the process of finding out what it takes to buy the stuff to have a business with this particular product. I talked to Elizabeth at their main head quarters. This product from what I have read is just as good as Line-X. They are sending me a package in the mail with a sample and information on this product. IMO, with a life time warranty why not go with it? Hopefully I can make it happen. There are a few places in Minnesota that offer this product but no where close to where I am looking to have the business. I will keep you all updated with what I find out about it. Some people will ask why not go with a name that is known like Line-X. They franchise with Line-X and their territories are huge so I am unfortunately un able to sign up with them. I will keep in touch on the subject as it hopefully will go further than a phone call

[ThirdHorseman]

Cool.

[Jhanfosho]

Isaac never returned my pm but thanks for shedding some light on the matter. Wonder what 123gone has to say about this

[mgsw530]

Glad to hear you got the uv protectant. Should look good for years. I want to get my tundra done but hate the thought of someone taking a da/sander to it. I think I would just have to drop it off and run away before they got to it. (could'nt stand to watch lol)

[Wildbill Tundra]

Originally Posted by Jhanfosho

Isaac never returned my pm but thanks for shedding some light on the matter. Wonder what 123gone has to say about this

Isaac is a member here?

[Jhanfosho]

Yeah the name is XtremeLiners.

[123Gone]

We had storms go through our area and our power was out ALL day yesterday.

I want to make it clear that I never stated that the Xtreme bedliner or the Xtreme company was bad. All brands have their pros and cons.

ALL of the bedliner brands include UV inhibitors that slow down the fading process, that includes LINE-X, Rhino, Xtreme, whomever. However, if the resin and isocyanate are aromatic (vs. aliphatic) then no matter what UV inhibitors you put into it, it WILL fade. Aromatic products will fade from UV light from the sun. Aliphatic products are much more UV resistant. So, you might be asking, then if aromatic products fade, them why not use aliphatic bedliner products? Well, you can get a 100% aliphatic bedliner from Rhino, called Solarmax. (Actually, Rhino does not make the product, they buy it from Bayer and put their name on it.) If you can find a Rhino dealer that sells it (most don't because they have to buy the equipment to spray it at about $30K), be prepared to pay, it's going to be rather expensive. So, since most bedliners are aromatic, some companies offer aliphatic TOPCOATS. These are typically either a water based product, a resin/iso product, a urethane based automotive type paint, or LINE-X Xtra. The problem with most of these topcoats is that they can fairly easily be worn down if you use your truck bed like a truck bed. LINE-X Xtra was formulated to be durable enough for a truck bed.

LINE-X and Xtreme are both high pressure blends of polyurethane and polyurea. The ratio of the blend could be different. My opinion it that blends make for the best spray-on bedliners. Keep in mind that there are different qualities of chemicals. You (meaning ANYONE) can buy inexpensive chemicals (poorly synthesized) or more expensive high quality chemicals. An analogy would be...tires: Two tires, both made of rubber, one cost $200 and the other costs $25. Chances are there is a quality difference involved. The LINE-X bedliner product is produced by BASF Corp. under the direction of LINE-X Franchise Development Corp. By contract, LINE-X controls its product and BASF is not allowed to sell it to anyone else. I do not know where Xtreme buys their product from nor do I know if they have any control over it. I can tell you this, most bedliner companies DO NOT have control over their products.

So, what are the similarities and differences between LINE-X (XS-100) and Xtreme (XT1000)?
1. Both are high pressure blends.
2. Both are aromatic.
3. LINE-X is high quality; Don't know about Xtreme.
4. LINE-X controls their product; Don't know about Xtreme.
5. LINE-X offers a lifetime warranty that's valid nationwide; Xtreme offers a lifetime warranty that's valid only with the dealer that applies it.
6. LINE-X offers the optional Xtra product which resists fading and loss of gloss, don't know if Xtreme offers such a product. But, even if they do, it definitely won't be like Xtra.

I have the technical data sheet of Xtreme, but Xtreme used different ASTM test methods than what LINE-X (and Rhino) used, so we can't actually compare numbers. For example, LINE-X and Rhino used ASTM D624 to measure tear strength, Xteme used ASTM D1004.

Look at the pics of Xtreme. Does it look black to you or do you think it has faded? If fading doesn't bother you, and it really doesn't bother some people, then you should be OK with regular Xtreme.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...s/Extreme1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...s/Extreme2.jpg
If you would like more information, go to F150online.com and search for RollingRock. It was his truck that had Xtreme. Ask of his opinion directly.

I recommend you pick the brand and product that fits your needs and budget.

For bigpapa: The LINE-X franchise territories are based on population and are carved up using zip codes. Be sure you compare not only products, but also dealer resources. For example, LINE-X has about 25-30 products (LINE-X is not just a bedliner company. I, personally, would not be financially satisfied with selling only truck bedliners and accessories, especially these days the way the auto business is.), has annual global dealer conferences which include about two days of all sorts of business and technical training, provides 24 hour technical support, has their own chemist and lab team. LINE-X will be completely changing their website this weekend. Next week, visit LINE-X Spray-On Truck Bedliners...the ultimate truck accessory! and you will be able to watch videos of some of the actual lab testing at LINE-X.

Another word about the dealer conferences: OMG, they are GREAT! The last few have been in Anaheim, Nashville, Dallas. They include entertainment, food, awards, and training classes for which you can pick and choose which classes you want to attend. This is a HUGE advantage for LINE-X dealers. Entrepreneur magazine (and .com) for 2008, ranks LINE-X as #144 in the top 500 franchises, #110 in America's top global franchises, and #1 in its category.

[Jhanfosho]

123gone, how long would you say it would take for the xtremeliner to fade?

[123Gone]

That depends on how much exposure it has to the sun, the season of year, and location. Example: Let's say that during the day it's exposed to the sun for 6 or 7 hours, in the summer, in Houston, Texas. In about 4 or 5 months it will lose quite a bit of its gloss. It won't sparkle in the sun as much except for about the upper 1/2 of the vertical surfaces. The vertical surfaces do not get as much sun exposure. And, the bed rails help to shade the upper 1/2 of the bed sides. In about 6 or 7 months, the UV light will further break down aromatic product and will cause the pigment to release from the polyurethane. That's what basically "fading" is, the release of pigment at the surface. In about a year, it will look like those pictures I posted of Xtreme. Keep in mind that this process is not unique to Xtreme, any aromatic bedliner (with no UV protection) will go through this process. However, the process occurs faster in some brands than others.

[Zhukov]

While a bedliner itself is a great truck accessory, I always shake my head over people who agonize over whether or not a the bedliner still looks "shiny" after a few years.

IT'S A STINKING TRUCK, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!

No one ever sees your bedliner in the first place. Sheesh. Get over yourselves already.

[123Gone]

Well, here in Texas, people take pride in their trucks and many never really use their truck like a truck. They enjoy modding their truck with all sorts of things. The good thing about LINE-X with Xtra is that it functions well as a truck bedliner (for those who need it) AND it can always look nice for those who care.

[sknaus]

Well let me throw my .5 cents in. I have always been a pro-Line-x fan and am on my third truck with one. I keep seeing the Nationwide warranty thing being thrown around, but that is exactly what I am having trouble with. There are 3 dealers in the Denver area that spray Line-x. I had mine done in Denver because the dealer I bought the truck from had some kind of deal worked out with them and gave a great deal on the liner. The closest one to me is the one in Boulder. 2 weeks ago I had some liner chip off on my tailgate. I called the one in Boulder and they told me for warranty work I had to return to the dealer that sprayed. I told him that is not what the website says and he started getting mad and argue with me and said he would not do it and to bring it back. I called the HQ in TX and the district manager is supposed to call me. I have not heard from him yet and also I sent an email into them as well. This is frustrating and if this is the way the local Line-X dealers are going to act, then my next liner won't be Line-X. You either warranty something or not. Ill let you know how this turns out.

Steve

[shadyskins]

Looks like you are approximately 50 miles from Denver and the warranty on their website reads as follows:

"If the original LINE-X Dealer is now more than one hundred (100) miles from your present location call 1.800.831.3232 or visit Line-X for the nearest LINE-X Dealer who will accomplish the necessary repair."

[sknaus]

Please point out where you found that. All I can find is this: Line-X

On paperwork it doesn't say anything about that either.

Steve