Composite Bed Irritates Skin

I've noticed that the surface of the composite bed is highly irritating, so I've learned not to lean on my side rails or touch the bed without gloves or long sleeves. This appears to be due to the composite material fibers (fiberglass, I assume), and may be due to age or weathering of the material itself.

My truck is used for truck stuff, so it is scratched and dinged on the inside. I have no desire to make it look prettier. I just want to stop my arms from itching every time I lean over the side rails to get stuff in and out of the bed.

Has anyone figured out a way to seal or treat the surface to prevent that besides a full bedliner style application? I'm mainly interested in something that could be sprayed or wiped on to the top of the side rails to keep the fibers down. I don't care much about the inside of the bed.

 

You’d see the fibers if they were splintering off. Maybe the bed’s got some fine pollen all over it? Try giving it a wash?

 

This happens regardless of how "clean" it is. I've just learned not to touch it at all. I usually go through a car wash about once a month, so I don't think it's pollen build up causing this.

Inside the bed, there are shards and fibers visible to the eye where big scratches are, but the top rail looks a little hazy and has a small amount of sparkle, even after applying things like Armor All or Back to Black, etc....

 

Hmm well in that case, as a boat guy, i would suggest sealing it with epoxy

 

Tacoma beds are made of a fiber reinforced composite material kinda like fiberglass. If you've ever worked with fiberglass then you know that stuff makes you itch like crazy with tiny shards getting in your skin.

 

Maybe try hitting the surface quickly with a torch/flame to melt the protruding fibers? Just a thought.

 

I've noticed this same sparkle effect in many types of plastics and on various items for a long time. Along with the bed rail covers, the unpainted (black) door handles on my truck and the tailgate handle also show this effect. I have also seen it on the composite shelf material on my 20 year old gas grille. I assume it's fiberglass, but who knows? My other car (1998 Volvo) is the same way. Grabbing the door handles on them leaves a sparkle effect on my hands. I think the only way to cure it would be to paint the surface.

 

Would it work to lightly sand the whole thing to bring down the protruding fibers?

 

Could just replace the bed rail.

https://www.kbvoodoo.com/tacoma-caps

 

If its anything like carbon fiber, paint is your only friend. You cant burn it away, sanding it will make it worse, so youre left with 3 choices.
1. Stop leaning on it..impractical, but its an option.
2. Paint it or seal it with a clear cote
3. Replace the bed rails.

 

That will only generate even more fiberglass particles and leave an unfinished surface that can aggravate allergies.

 

I think sealing it with something makes sense. I'm just wondering if there's more of a plastic, rubberized, or even wax-type material that would work better than going full 2-part epoxy or other hard surface like that.

 

My door handles look terrible with that hazy sparkle, but they've never irritated my skin the same way the bed does. I'm guessing it's more of a plastic and not the composite with fibers like the bed. Just a guess, though.

 

I might try to repair some areas with epoxy to see how it does. I haven't ever worked with epoxy on complex surfaces; usually just do small wood projects and filling holes with it. Curious how it would be applied over something like a side rail.

 

Something I just noticed with mine, gouges, scratches, protruding fibers and a crack on one of the wheel wells. I suspect caused by the car wash. You and I both need to find a different car wash.

 

The bed caps are just plastic, not made of the same as your bed at all so I would say this is just simply in your head.

 

Pull the bolts, have it line-x or rhino lined. Reinstall bolts and rails.

 

I thought the same thing, but every time I lean over those rails my arms are itchy exactly like fiberglass rash. Looking at the surface (sparkly) appears that it isn't just plastic. The rail that runs along the top of the tailgate appears to be actual plastic to me, but the side rails are different.

 

You could line-x the bed caps as stated above. Sounds like a solid solution.