Ardent's Spray Lined Land Cruiser

[Ardent]

Well, I had been planning on this for a while and I finally got it done. My clear coat was flaking in the slightest breeze and the truck looked horrible. I didn't want to pay someone to paint it and didn't want to do a splotchy rattle can job.
We've lined some bumpers and Rock Sliders for customers before. It's really tough rubber! I picked up a 2-day-old piece from the bench and tried to pull it apart to no avail. This wasn't a super thick piece either- it was about an inch wide and less than 1/16th of an inch thick.

Oh and another bonus- it comes in Tan.

Tan, black and grey are the available colors from Al's, but this stuff can also be tinted any color with auto-body paint pigment. You could perfectly match this to almost any rig. Al's Liner is a 4-part do-it-yourself liner system that is 100% UV and Chemical resistant. You can spray, roll or brush it on. Check out www.alsliner.com (http://www.alsliner.com) and www.heftyfabworks.com (http://www.heftyfabworks.com) for more info on it.

So enough talking here are some pics:

The before shot:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_S0ymC48LKiI/SoOXsCEgQSI/AAAAAAAABzY/D1rD2OUM2Dc/s800/DSCN4577.JPG
Most people know what these cruisers look like, so I'll leave it at that. It had the typical clear coat loss on the hood.

Prep, prep, prep... Proper prep is key to lining anything, especially a whole vehicle. Al's liner will stick to almost anything, including paint and bare steel, with the proper prep. It mainly needs a rough surface.

So with a 40 grit pad on a slow random orbital sander, we started on the body... this is what you would call the "point of no return."

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs170.snc4/37844_130164833692449_123162537726012_141072_82496 64_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs222.snc4/38441_130166290358970_123162537726012_141083_74880 15_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs202.snc4/38441_130166293692303_123162537726012_141084_83183 88_n.jpg

As you can see, I had the holes left over from the fender flares. So I welded them shut, and ground them smooth:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs222.snc4/38441_130166297025636_123162537726012_141085_99217 8_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs065.snc4/34631_130167050358894_123162537726012_141086_81336 33_n.jpg

Here's where I made my biggest mistake:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs025.ash2/34631_130167057025560_123162537726012_141088_15042 83_n.jpg

I had decided to just plug the holes with some small-head screws from Ace Hardware. Well, now it just looks like I have some random bumps on the roof. Oh well, live and learn. Next time (right...) I'll weld up those holes too...

We took the hood almost to bare metal where the clear coat was peeling. We also used a sharp chisel to chip any loose clear coat, and then sanded heavily to ensure we wouldn't have issues with the liner adhering.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs065.snc4/34631_130167060358893_123162537726012_141089_30739 71_n.jpg

Now that all surfaces are sanded, we finish masking and wipe down the whole truck to remove any remaining dust.

Somebody was wasting masking tape...

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs065.snc4/34631_130167063692226_123162537726012_141090_34541 23_n.jpg


(http://www.alsliner.com)

[Ardent]

The next step to making sure that the liner adheres, is to coat the entire surface with an etching primer (provided in the liner kit).

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs065.snc4/34637_130167597025506_123162537726012_141102_54801 46_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs065.snc4/34637_130167600358839_123162537726012_141103_27403 00_n.jpg

Time to mix up the Al's and start spraying:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs177.snc4/38196_130168237025442_123162537726012_141114_83289 26_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs177.snc4/38196_130168240358775_123162537726012_141115_29877 85_n.jpg
You only need about 30PSI flowing through the gun for this (The gun is available from Al's for a very reasonable $55 and it can be reused many times).
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs177.snc4/38196_130168247025441_123162537726012_141117_81663 68_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs054.snc4/35054_130168860358713_123162537726012_141121_26066 31_n.jpg

The masking must be removed within 45 minutes.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs034.ash2/35054_130168867025379_123162537726012_141123_10652 08_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs163.snc4/37474_130169563691976_123162537726012_141128_33967 25_n.jpg

The liner will be dry to the touch within 2 hours (less in Colorado's 95* and <5% Humidity...) and fully cures within 48 hours.

We let it dry over night and then reassembled. I painted the mirrors and the grill black. I relocated the blinkers to the marker lights and sprayed what are now the marker lights with that "Night Shades" stuff.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs183.snc4/37474_130169567025309_123162537726012_141129_34496 64_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs054.snc4/35051_130170210358578_123162537726012_141134_35370 14_n.jpg
I also took this chance to get some new-to-me shoes...
(http://www.alsliner.com/)

[Ardent]

So here it is two days later:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_S0ymC48LKiI/TESD89Hs5JI/AAAAAAAADbo/d4-XyYZJKn0/s800/DSC09609.JPG
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_S0ymC48LKiI/TESD_2n43qI/AAAAAAAADbs/DiXRvyxGbqk/s800/DSC09610.JPG
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_S0ymC48LKiI/TESEHf77DjI/AAAAAAAADb0/aPLHTv_mdPM/s800/DSC09612.JPG
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_S0ymC48LKiI/TESELWH9FyI/AAAAAAAADb4/3O9AlHQsY6w/s800/DSC09613.JPG
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_S0ymC48LKiI/TESEPsLg5mI/AAAAAAAADb8/qsMZnhTCMjo/s800/DSC09614.JPG

Well, I hope you like it as much as I do. Next I'll be painting the wheels black and getting a full-size spare. I also will be painting the door jams black to give it a cleaner look when the doors are open.

Let me know what you think or if you have any questions. See it in person at the CO4RJ in two weeks.

:D

Thanks to Al's Liner for a great product.
www.heftyfabworks.com (http://www.heftyfabworks.com/)
www.alsliner.com (http://www.alsliner.com/)

[AccordRanger]

That looks way better than i was expecting! I like it:D

[Mporter]

That looks sick

[Mporter]

How much did it cost and how long did it take start->finish?

[Trailrat99XJ]

It looks great! A must for me!!!!

[Chris]

Very nice Nate, I'm looking forward to seeing it in person. Too bad I won't be making CO4RJ. :frown:

[Ardent]

How much did it cost and how long did it take start->finish?

Well, my brothers and I did it (Hefty Fabworks) but the materials aren't too bad. It took a little under 3 gals to do it. We sell a 3 gallon kit with the spray gun (comes with everything needed except sandpaper...) for $352.00

The spray gun is only add $55 over the cost of 3 gals and is well worth it.

More info:
Al'sliner.com (http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/www.alsliner.com)
HeftyFabworks (http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/www.heftyfabworks.com)

Edit:
You asked how long it took too :)

We started on it Friday Morning and it was lined by Friday evening. I did a lot that wasn't necessary (Removed the entire interior paneling) if you're just spraying the truck. This was with 3 of us working on it. It would probably take a good weekend if you're by yourself and working at a moderate pace.

[edog]

That looks great-good work. That would be my first choice in color to repaint my rig for sure.

[Ardent]

Thanks for the compliments guys!

[Trailrat99XJ]

Can it be tinted or was this a stock color? If so, Do you guys have the ability to tint it?

[Trailrat99XJ]

I read above and answered my own question. I only read books with pictures when I was a kid!

[latva0311]

Looks good! I am always wondering about all the different liners out there. Some like the duplicolor flake off in a week and others fade over time, but this is suppose to be U.V safe and wont fade. How did the rock sliders and bumpers hold up with this stuff on them over time?

[AccordRanger]

Looks good! I am always wondering about all the different liners out there. Some like the duplicolor flake off in a week and others fade over time, but this is suppose to be U.V safe and wont fade. How did the rock sliders and bumpers hold up with this stuff on them over time?

x2 want to know this for when i get sliders.

[Pathrat]

That really looks great. I liked seeing the start to finish, and clearly the prep work was done right :thunb:

[Funrover]

Awesome. I keep contemplating do this to mine...

[scout man]

yea, this is pretty high on my list as well, as it NEEDS something done to it before winter. Looks great!

[Brody]

Really nice looking!

That 'gun' looks like your basic drywall texture hopper set up, of which I have one, should anyone need to borrow it for their rig. Post up if it isn't and is something more special...

[Hefty]

Its actually a little different than a drywall hopper. It has some additional air flow ports for creating the finer texture. I though the same thing until I looked at them both side by side. The liner can be tinted any color with automotive paint tint. Color match to your truck if you want.

[Mporter]

I doubt you checked this...but did you happen to note how much extra weight it added to the truck?

[Hefty]

about 25 lbs

[Chris]

I doubt you checked this...but did you happen to note how much extra weight it added to the truck?

You're not worried about weight are you Matt? Out trucks are tanks and any additional weight isn't consequential. ;)

[Ardent]

You're not worried about weight are you Matt? Out trucks are tanks and any additional weight isn't consequential. ;)

Yeah, I'm guessing that my LC with the armor is probably pushing 5500+lbs anyway. An extra 30 is nothing. I have more negative effect from my 60lb Lab and my 115lb Great Dane riding along...

I'll have to go to the gravel yard and have them weigh it. I'm curious now...

[Ardent]

Ok I ran Holy Cross at the CO4RJ:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bbgO-NOlE8g/TFoFvLXrzTI/AAAAAAAAACE/_N4P-0qVRKo/s800/DSCN5071.JPG
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bbgO-NOlE8g/TFoFxyh4-jI/AAAAAAAAACQ/_E-43xVLmHg/s800/DSCN5074.JPG
14182

This is the EXACT same color as our roads out here. I tried all weekend to get the darn thing dirty, but it wouldn't ever show it. I'll get pics up of what I mean.

Durability? Awesome. Amazingly, and somewhat disappointingly, the body didn't touch any rocks this trip, it did touch plenty of trees though. We ran Boulder Mountain and the branches were scraping both sides like crazy! But no scratches on the liner! The truck bumped a tree and it left a dark spot on the passenger side. I think it's just sap, but it wouldn't come off in the pressure wash. I'll get a pick and try to clean it another way.

As promised: Dirty pics. Are you ready to be shocked?
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_bbgO-NOlE8g/TFoHAcnJUmI/AAAAAAAAAIM/hc_V3xss-wo/s800/DSCN5151.JPG
No really, it's dirty.
See:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bbgO-NOlE8g/TFoHBCwPkcI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/TJ9IdjAQrdA/s800/DSCN5152.JPG
Can't you see it?
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bbgO-NOlE8g/TFoHCMmnmBI/AAAAAAAAAIY/7wWpi9s4xZM/s800/DSCN5153.JPG
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_bbgO-NOlE8g/TFoHOgFs_0I/AAAAAAAAAJY/858M1BYy6N8/s800/DSCN5166.JPG
This is what everyone else looked like:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bbgO-NOlE8g/TFoHDN77YaI/AAAAAAAAAIc/39Z1A4MF-N8/s800/DSCN5154.JPG
And I'm happy to report, that even as dirty as it got, the pressure washer took care of it all.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_bbgO-NOlE8g/TFoIW26ViNI/AAAAAAAAAQY/cREzGTHThXQ/s800/DSCN5239.JPG
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bbgO-NOlE8g/TFoIY_uM90I/AAAAAAAAAPA/tmBk_1Piw9o/s800/DSCN5240.JPG
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_bbgO-NOlE8g/TFoIV68P2xI/AAAAAAAAAO4/GHD1nrxxfh0/s800/DSCN5238.JPG

[Ardent]

I tried my hardest, but the dirt wouldn't show.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_bbgO-NOlE8g/TFoIUAkYQ6I/AAAAAAAAAOs/X6iJGl_Of3w/s800/DSCN5236.JPG
Here it is clean:
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_bbgO-NOlE8g/TFoaGYbvoCI/AAAAAAAAAQw/j_ucZbYG_zI/s800/DSCN5243.JPG
This is the spot where I bumped the tree. I think it will come off if I scrub it with some bug and tar remover. I think it's just dirt sticking to sap.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bbgO-NOlE8g/TFoaHouZw7I/AAAAAAAAAQ4/X0w7bSZBwxE/s800/DSCN5245.JPG
One trail we went on had trees scraping hard against both sides of the truck. It was more of a Jeep trail than a almost full-size.
:D

[Fordguy77]

The more I look at this, the more appealing and tempting it becomes. Looks great! To bad it stays clean :D

[Ardent]

This is the spot where I bumped the tree. I think it will come off if I scrub it with some bug and tar remover. I think it's just dirt sticking to sap.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bbgO-NOlE8g/TFoaHouZw7I/AAAAAAAAAQ4/X0w7bSZBwxE/s800/DSCN5245.JPG
:D

Just an update- I finally (more than a month later) got around to cleaning that spot. It came right off with some scrubbing and a little cleaner.

[Brad]

You are going to have to hit up moab to get that red mud. Then it will look dirty! :thumb: