Frequently Asked Questions

Scuff surface with 80-180 grit sandpaper and apply 1-2 coats of etch primer to and spots where bare metal is showing. Allow to dry for 15-20 minutes before wiping clean with wax and grease remover. Once dried, apply Shield Bedliner.

SHIELD can be applied to both solvent and water-borne basecoats. Follow basecoat manufacturer’s drying times prior to overcoating.

Either option works fine, although spraying offers more flexibility in the texture of the coating.

Shield Bedliner sprays best out of TCI Products’ “Lock N Load” Shutz gun. Any Shutz-style gun should work. SHIELD can also be spayed from a primer gun with a 1.8 or greater fluid tip.

PSI on a Shutz gun will vary depending on the distance from the panel and desired texture. The recommended distance is 24” to 36”. PSI at gun will vary from 35 to 60 depending on desired texture. 40 PSI is a good starting point and then you can adjust accordingly based on desired texture. The most common Bedliner texture is achieved at 35-45 PSI at the gun.

2-3 medium coats or 4 light coats are recommended with a 20-minute flash time between coats. Never apply heavy coats of SHIELD. If you would like to add more coats, it is recommended to wait 24 hours before spraying again.

We recommend allowing 15-20 minutes of flash time between coats. Competitors’ products require as much as 60 minutes between coats.

Absolutely! SHIELD offers flexibility when spraying that always allows users the opportunity to go back and correct any mistakes or problematic areas.

We recommend a minimum of two hours prior to sunlight exposure and 24 hours prior to water exposure. It is also recommended that you wait a minimum of 48 hours prior to washing. Competitors’ products require as many as seven days of curing prior to water exposure.

Total dry film thickness should average the following after each coat.

• 1 Coat: 9 mil
• 2 Coats: 15 mil
• 3 Coats: 20 mil

60°-70° F is the ideal temperature range. Avoid spraying in extreme temperatures below 40° F and above 90° F. 

On average, one kit of SHIELD should provide 130 square feet of coverage.

We take the guesswork and measuring out of the equation with SHIELD since we provide individually packaged activators. Just simply pour one can of activator into one can of SHIELD and shake well for two minutes. If measuring, the ratio by volume is 3:1 and by weight is 3.48:1.

You can achieve a variety of textures using SHIELD Spray In Bedliner. Once you’ve sprayed your first coat, your spraying technique for the second coat is what will determine the finish/texture. For a smooth/glossy finish, spray close with heavy air pressure applied. For a textured/rough finish, spray a couple of feet away with short and repetitive pulls of the trigger.

The hardener used to activate/cure SHIELD does contain isocyanates. Proper safety measures including the use of a respirator should be observed. 

It is recommended to use SHIELD within a year of purchase. Once opened, SHIELD should be used immediately.

SHIELD uses the highest grade resin used in the aerospace industry and raw materials, while others use economic resins to reduce cost. This allows SHIELD to outperform the competition. SHIELD cures with a tighter crosslink providing for a tougher surface. Independent lab testing shows SHIELD is 65% harder on the Shore D Hardness test than the leading competitor yet remains more flexible. Dry film thickness is about 30% thicker than the leading competitor. SHIELD shrinks significantly less than competitors, which can shrink up to 40% after application.