Need solution for protecting exposed painted bed rail.

[Oscarcat]

I optioned my ‘24 XLT with Ford’s $495 factory “TOUGHBED” spray-in bed liner. The SIBL in conjunction with the standard plastic bed rail and tailgate caps provide excellent protection for the bed, its sides and top edges.

There is however a horizontal strip of exposed painted metal that occurs between the bottom edge of the rear window and the top edge of the front of the bed that isn’t covered with the bed liner material or black plastic. (See accompanying image).

I was hoping that some clever person here has come up with a good looking solution for protecting the approx. 2”W x 53“L painted area of concern.

I know that it would be inadvisable to load anything on this strip as it could jeopardize the rear window, but it appears to be unfinished as is without having some sort of protective covering.

Thanks.

I have a '24 with factory SIBL and wondered why in the world Ford did it that way. Makes no sense. I plan to take it to my Line-X dealer and have them spray the top rail and the lower portion of the inner tailgate.

I had a '22 Mav and had Line-X do the bed. They automatically did the exposed top rail and all the way down the inner tailgate. Looks much better than the exposed top rail.

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[Shakesbear]

I optioned my ‘24 XLT with Ford’s $495 factory “TOUGHBED” spray-in bed liner. The SIBL in conjunction with the standard plastic bed rail and tailgate caps provide excellent protection for the bed, its sides and top edges.

There is however a horizontal strip of exposed painted metal that occurs between the bottom edge of the rear window and the top edge of the front of the bed that isn’t covered with the bed liner material or black plastic. (See accompanying image).

I was hoping that some clever person here has come up with a good looking solution for protecting the approx. 2”W x 53“L painted area of concern.

I know that it would be inadvisable to load anything on this strip as it could jeopardize the rear window, but it appears to be unfinished as is without having some sort of protective covering.

Thanks.

Just cut a strip of this stuff to cover that gap and you're good to go

 

[MetalsGeek]

A rattle can bedliner product like this might be a decent option for that small area, and would also help with the bottom of the tailgate.
https://www.amazon.com/HERCULINER-Aerosol-Spray-Liner-Ounce/dp/B01KPJVDO2/

 

[Paulyz]

I optioned my ‘24 XLT with Ford’s $495 factory “TOUGHBED” spray-in bed liner. The SIBL in conjunction with the standard plastic bed rail and tailgate caps provide excellent protection for the bed, its sides and top edges.

There is however a horizontal strip of exposed painted metal that occurs between the bottom edge of the rear window and the top edge of the front of the bed that isn’t covered with the bed liner material or black plastic. (See accompanying image).

I was hoping that some clever person here has come up with a good looking solution for protecting the approx. 2”W x 53“L painted area of concern.

I know that it would be inadvisable to load anything on this strip as it could jeopardize the rear window, but it appears to be unfinished as is without having some sort of protective covering.

Thanks.

I had Bullit Liner in Green Bay, WI do my SIBL & they did that area.

 

[MAVCORuss]

Thanks to all of you creative folks for your suggestions. I will ponder this a bit further and will post again once I decide how to address this area.

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