You may be confused about how to cut bed liners for a tonneau cover. If you’re looking for the perfect way to cut bed liner, there are three most preferable ways.
The first is using a reciprocating saw with metal blades. Another option is using an electric jigsaw. Last but not least, you can use tin snips. This article will explain each one and show how they work.
How To Cut Bed Liner For A Tonneau Cover Using A Reciprocating Saw With Metal Blades:
If you’re looking for the fastest and easiest way to cut Bedliner for a tonneau cover, this is definitely it. You can find reciprocating saws online or in any hardware store that carries them. These are very inexpensive and are the easiest way to cut bed liner for a tonneau cover.
Black Decker 20V MAX Cordless Reciprocating Saw is our favorite kit as it will help you to cut the bed liner fast and very easy way.
Step 1: Cover Your Hands
Don’t forget to always protect your hands with gloves when cutting the Bedliner with any tool! Always cover yourself from head to toe while handling them, unless you really enjoy long hair on your face.
Step 2: Cut From The Top
First, you need to find the longest grade of reciprocating saw blades that will cut through the bed liner. Once you have found them, start from about an inch away from the edge and work in a slow and steady manner until you reach your desired depth. Do not go too fast or else it can damage the bed liner as well as the sides.
Read More: Do I Really Need A Bed Liner If I Have A Tonneau Cover?
Step 3: Cut From The Bottom
Once you have cut from the top, flip over your tonneau cover to match up with your cut. Then simply line it back up on what was once the top of your sheet of bed liner and start cutting again in a downward motion until it reaches your desired depth.
Step 4: Trim Around The Corners Using Tin Snips
Once your bed liner is cut to the correct size, you can always use tin snips or metal shears to cut off any excess that may be sticking out from the bed liner for a tonneau cover. You can also make clean cuts in certain areas that may be sticking out as well.
Step 5: Install The Tonneau Cover On Your Truck Bed And Enjoy!
Now you can finally install the tonneau cover on your pickup truck. If there are any excess pieces, just simply use a grinder or sander to file them off until it’s smooth and ready for installation.
Read More: How To Install Tonneau Cover With Bed Liner?
How To Cut Bed Liner For A Tonneau Cover Using A Electric Jigsaw:
Here is another option to consider. This method is great for cutting out the tonneau cover liner on your vehicle because it allows you to get a cleaner and more precise cut. First of all, you need a good quality electric jigsaw with metal blades.
Step 1: Position The Jigsaw On Top Of The Area You Want To Cut
Another great thing about cutting bed liner with an electric jigsaw is that you don’t have to worry about positioning it underneath the tonneau cover. Because it can be operated from the top, all you need to do is line up your tool and start cutting!
Step 2: Cut Down From The Top Using Steady Strokes
Start from one inch away from the edge and cut down in a steady straight motion while using the measurements of your tonneau cover as your guide. You can go side to side if it’s easier for you, but either way is fine.
Step 3: Cut Down From The Bottom Using Steady Strokes
Now you need to flip over your sheet of bed liner and cut from the bottom up to create a crisper edge around the perimeter of the tonneau bed cover.
Step 4: Trim Around The Corners Using Tin Snips
After you have cut the excess bed liner with your electric jigsaw, it’s time to use tin snips or metal shears to trim off any excess that is sticking out from the tonneau cover. You can also make clean cuts in certain areas that may be sticking out as well.
Step 5: Install The Tonneau Cover On Your Truck And Enjoy!
Now you can finally install the tonneau cover on your pickup truck. If there are any excess pieces, just simply use a grinder or sander to file them off until it’s smooth and ready for installation. This is by far one of the best ways to cut bed liner for a tonneau cover, but you can always try the manual methods as well.
How To Cut Bed Liner For A Tonneau Cover Using A Tin Snips:
As you have seen throughout the blog, there are tons of different ways that you can cut a tonneau cover for your pickup truck. This is just one more way, and it’s probably the most common method of cutting bed liner for a tonneau cover. The first thing you will need to do is get some good-quality tin snips or metal shears.
Step 1: Measure The Exact Size Of Your Tonneau Cover
It’s really important to have the tonneau cover in hand before you start measuring it out, because not all pickup truck bed covers are going to be the exact same size. Just make sure that you take some good measurements and add some wiggle room for yourself.
Step 2: Cut Along The Edges On All Four Sides Of Your Bedliners
You can start on the top of your bed liner and then work your way down to create a straight edge for the perimeter. You should also make sure that your cuts are even in width so you get a cleaner cut around all four sides. After you have cut all 4 sides, you can trim around the corners.
Step 3: Cut Out Any Excess Pieces Sticking Out From The Tonneau Cover
If there are any areas that are still sticking out from the tonneau cover, then you can use a grinder or sander to file them down until they’re smooth. It’s important that you don’t skip this step or else your cover will get all scuffed up over time.
Step 4: Cut Out Any Excess Pieces From The Inside Of The Tonneau Bed Cover Before Fitting Your New Liner
Just like the outside of the tonneau bed cover, there are probably areas on the inside that are still sticking out. You should cut them off so the inside of your cover is nice and smooth before you install it on your truck.
Step 5: Install The Cover On Your Truck And Enjoy!
Now you can finally put the tonneau cover on your pickup truck and enjoy the new look it gives to your vehicle. Because this is a much more manual process, there’s some extra work involved to get the job done right. But it will be worth it when you see the results!
Here Are Some Tips You Can Consider
1. Enough bed liner for surrounding areas
Make sure that you always have enough bed liner to fill up all surrounding areas. It’s pretty annoying when you’re trying to install a cover and you run out of material. So make sure this doesn’t happen!
2. Check The Instructions Before You Get Started
You can never be too careful when it comes to cutting bed liner for a tonneau cover. Some products are more difficult than others. Such as soft tops and covers that have multiple folds in them.
Make sure you check the instructions before you start cutting so you know where to start, what tools to use, etc.
3. Don’t Skip The Grinding/Sanding Step
It’s really important that you always take time to grind or sand the edges of your cover so they are nice and smooth. If you don’t, then pretty soon the cover will get all roughed up and start looking bad.
4. Use The Proper Measurements
In order for your tonneau cover to fit properly on a truck, it’s really important that you use the right measurements. Make sure that you take your time and get an accurate measurement before cutting anything to size or else you’ll have a rough time trying to install the cover later on.
But after all of the hard work, you’ll enjoy the way your truck looks with a new tonneau cover. Just make sure that you have plenty of time on your hands to get everything done because it’s no easy process!
What Not To Do When Cutting Bed Liner For Tonneau Cover
When you are trying to cut a Bedliner for the tonneau cover you can make some mistakes. Here is the list that you should avoid:
Read also: How To Patch A Hole In A Tonneau Cover?
1. Making measurements wrong
Measuring your truck bed is pointless when you are trying to cut the tonneau cover. You should be certain that you have tried all the good methods but still cannot find a perfect match for your truck. In this case, it is better off if you hire someone or purchase a professional kit that can ensure accuracy in measurements and cuts.
2. Using a cheap tool
You will find different types of tools on the market that you can use to cut the Bedliner. Many people usually tend to make mistakes by purchasing too cheap products even though they have enough money to buy something better.
You should remember that it is not only about cutting, but also about the overall result. Even with your cheap tool, you might need to spend hundreds of dollars just for replacing blades.
3. Not using a professional Bed Liner cutter
You can find different types of Bedliner cutters in the market that you can use for this. But most importantly, they are all designed with expertise and high technology that can give you the best result. As a hobby, it is better not to use a Bedliner cutter for your truck bed.
4. Not checking blade quality
If you are buying some perfect tools and planning to cut Bedliner by yourself, then it is very important that you check the blade quality well before usage. It can help you a lot to make the perfect cut for your tonneau cover.
5. Not measuring blade quality
Blade quality is very important when you are trying to cut Bedliner for your truck bed. It can help you a lot in determining whether or not it can be useful for this job. When you are buying some tools, there is one thing that you should remember that the blade quality is more important than price.
6. Having limited knowledge about cutting tools
Some people make mistakes by purchasing the wrong cutter or just hiring someone to make it for them. When you are planning to cut a Bedliner for your truck bed, it is better if you try to learn some basic information about this job.
7. Not considering the dust created
It is a known fact that Bedliner cutting can create a lot of mess and dust for you to clean up. This type of job is not recommended if you are planning to do this in your garage or during weekends with your friends. When you are planning to cut bed liner, it is better to do this in an open place or outside your driveway.
8. Trying to save money
There is always a big difference between price and quality when it comes to cutting Bedliner for the truck bed cover. Many people think that doing a DIY job means saving money, but it is not true at all. You should remember that hiring someone else to do this job for you can be cost-effective rather than making it by yourself.
9. Not considering safety
When you are doing some DIY project, safety should always be a concern for you. It is not recommended if you are planning to cut Bedliner in your garage. Your family members or neighbors might think that the house is on fire because the dust and cover can be seen everywhere.
10. Not using a power tool
If you are planning to cut a Bedliner for your truck bed cover, it is better that you use some powerful tools for this job so that it will be easy and fast completed. It can be done on your own or by hiring someone.
11. Not using a vacuum machine
It is better to always use a vacuum machine whenever you cut Bedliner for your truck bed cover. This will help in creating an organized and clean workspace so that everything can be found well even if some pieces are missing. It is highly recommended when you are planning to do this job yourself at home or in your garage.
12. Not doing some research and planning
If you want to learn how to cut a Bedliner for your truck bed, it is better that you do some research on this topic first. After that, you can also plan the date when you are going to do this job for your own truck or someone else’s. It will help you a lot in getting the best result and avoiding mistakes.
13. Not having the right tool
When it comes to cutting Bedliner for truck beds, you should remember that not every cutter can help you in completing this job. It is important if you know the right tools and supplies that are used for this task so that everything will be completed easily and quickly.
Read also: How To Keep Dust Out Of Tonneau Cover?
Final Words
This is a quick guide on how to cut bed liners for your tonneau cover. I have included some tips and tricks that will help you get the job done quickly with minimal effort or waste, so read up and enjoy!