Question:

I plan to use your Tintable Bedliner kit, and will be providing the color tint myself. What type of paint or pigments do I need to color it?

Answer:

Color pigments vary, but the primary thing to ensure is that you don’t use any 2 part product. You basically need either only the pigments, or a single part automotive paint. The single part basecoat paint will work, but you need to use as little as required to get good results since it is not as durable as a single part one stage paint (type that does not require a clear top coat application).

Basically, your best option is to use the Tintable Bedliner products, and then ask your automotive finishes supplier if they have automotive tints suitable for Clear polyurethane or urethane single part paints. Just be sure the tint is suitable for a clear base. You generally use far less pigment per gallon of our clear bedliner than required for automotive paint. To calculate the amount of pigments required, you need to calculate how much total clear bedliner you are tinting. For every gallon of A Clear, you will also have 1/2 gallon of B, so consider this as well. For concentrated pigments, you need about 60 grams pigment per quart in most cases. If using automotive paints, use about twice to three times that amount.

If you want to save money, you can also use any oil-based alkyd enamel paint (no latex or other water based paints) for color tint. While these paints are not as durable as our bedliner products, they are used in small part, and don’t significantly degrade the performance of the coating. This allows you to select the actual color from your local paint supplier. Use only enough paint to obtain good color penetration, and never use more than the amount of B product being used.

The Tintable Bedliner Kit would provide enough to do about 80 sq ft at 30 mils (not accounting for waste) which should probably be more than you need, but you would need to do some measuring if you think it is going to require more. This kit comes with an HVLP gun, but you can double the product (if needed) by adding the Tintable Truck Bed Liner Kit Without Gun for more product if you think it is needed.

Another DIY kit option for you to consider if you want more impact resistance is to select the Color Match Bedliner Kit. This kit includes not only a tintable topcoat, but a thicker base coat for more texture and overall protection. Thick applications are a two part process which starts by applying a grey base coat using our liquids plus powders, and then applying the 15 or so mil Tintable bedliner after.

You can always get in touch by calling 855-545-4900 extension 902 if we can provide more information.
Thank you for considering Diamondback Linings SL&C brand products!