Line X vs Bullet Liner

I have a 2021 4Runner SR5 Premium and I am debating between the two companies mentioned above. Line X quote for undercoating and rust protection 650.00 and Bullet Liner both treatments are 1300.00 and some change. Why so much difference in price when both used ValuCar? Afraid to get “you get what you paid for in service” Both companies have good reviews. Thank you for your input.

 

I cannot help you on the Under Coating part, but I can tell you that I had the Texas Dealer where I purchased my truck, sprayed my new 2005 GMC Sierra 3500 bed using Line X, and its still doing its job and protecting my trucks bed to this day. and it has been outside in the Hot Florida Sun for the last 16 years and has spent countless days in the Winter Salt covered Highways of Pennsylvania and the Highways driving up there, I had to return to my local Line X dealer one time and they fix the problem "No Questions Asked" all I needed to do is show him my Line X paper Work from the Texas Line X place that did the job.

 

Does linex suffer from the same problems as zeibart style rubber undercoating…where the rubber can seperate/peel and end end up holding water against the frame?

 

Wow. I had my Tundra bed done with Bullet a couple years ago. Back then, prices were comparable. No complaints whatsoever, but not sure I’d pay a premium for it.

 

The product itself is not LineX, it is ValuCar applied through LineX franchise. From what I read, it adheres very well to the metal, does not crack, it is somewhat flexible. Leaning towards LineX, I will make sure the prep work and reputation are there. I have less than 1K miles and I do keep my trucks for a long time. Last one last me 18 1/2 years (not a Toyota) so starting a new long term project with this one.

 

The line x stuff is not their product from my research. Line X stores simply market it.

From my research it’s similar to Ziebart rubberized stuff. Everyone told me not use that and use a lanolin oil like fluid film.

I just had mine fluid filmed as the welds were already starting to rust. Hell they are rusting on the lot.

I used the rubber stuff on my 90s Explorer and it held up but never saw winter. Everyone says now there is too much electronics on these vehicles. I went with fluid film after reading lots of posts here. Time will tell if I made the right decision.

I have a buddy though in Va beach that used on his 2010 taco and it looks like new. The frame is impeccable if applied each year

 

I had a friend apply LineX to his 4th gen and it looks amazing. He lives in Kansas City, so it will be interesting to see if it can hold up to the salt.

I dont have all the photos but I do have one before and one after

 

I ended up paying premium and going with Extreme Autoworks here in CO. Dropped the truck last Sat for prep and should be picking it up by the end of this week.

 

Just to clarify, this friend used fluid film? I used a similar (but now seeing as better) Woolwax. If you off road, I wouldnt count on it looking “impeccible”. Visually speaking it looks like a chewed gum after being dropped in mud lol, or some would say it looks like a dried turd…haha

But the surface of the frame is sealed off from the elements. So far, wiping it off reveals perfectly clean surface underneath. It’s not even a year old yet, but I have high hopes for the stuff.

 

Yep my buddy used fluid film on the Taco but not off road guy. He said big thing is flooding in his area near Va beach.

I attached a pic of his 2010 Tacoma frame from this spring.

 

That right there is what you call pristine!

 

Yeah he applies fluid film once per year and drives up to PA salt belt for holidays so it sees some snow/salt

I am not saying fluid film is best but if after 11 years his Taco looks like this I did my 4R. I wish I could do mine myself but I took it to a detail shop that covered entire vehicle and I thought did a nice job. The guy I went to did some 4Rs and noticed some spots I would not think of like wheel wells where there not that plastic covering, brackets that hold running boards, and the screws around front wheel wells. I also lowered my spare and applied myself to wheel and had that area sprayed with fluid film.

One other area he noticed on his wife’s 4R is gas cap rivets. I dabbed some on mine after seeing his. See attached

One thing he taught me was to spray the fluid film on wax pad to have more control on application. So I did my own hitch, spare, and the small bolts on front wheel well, and exposed bolts in rear wheels.