1971 El Camino Liners - Reflex Spray-On Bedliner

When it comes to building a hot rod, there are endless avenues to take, build options to choose, and decisions to be made. As magazine editors, we have the opportunity to meet many other diehard Chevrolet fans and check out their cars. The one thing most owners would do if they could go back and do it all over again would be a frame-off restoration. Pulling the body off the frame, cleaning, and in some cases patch-paneling in new sheetmetal seems to top the list of most vehicle builds. Obviously, there are many different aspects to doing a frame-off resto, so we narrowed our focus down to two simple things that can make a big difference--coating the underside and bed on this '71 Chevelle and reinsulating the cab.

After 36 years of road service and some neglect, this El Camino had some rust issues that needed to be addressed. Once the rust was gone, it was decided this El Camino should be given the chance to make it another 36-plus years rust-free. Harrison Ortis, this '71's owner, bought it back in high school for $1,200, and its sentimental value meant it was worth saving. It came from the factory with a 396 big-block, Turbo 400 trans, Rally suspension, heavy-duty tow package, heavy-duty cooling system with A/C, a quick-ratio steering box, 12-bolt rear-end with posi, 392 gears, and a cowl hood. In short, this El Camino was too cool to pass up and now needs to be saved from the elements of time.

Harrison owns his own restoration/performance shop, aptly named Harrisons Restorations, so it was here that the El Co received its new lease on life. Recently, Harrison purchased a Reflex spray-on bedliner system from Langeman Manufacturing. This system heats up and mixes a two-part epoxy material that's spray-applied up to 1/4-inch thick to form a rugged, durable coating generally used as a truck bedliner, but it also works great as a lifetime protective undercoating. We used it in the bed, but we also sprayed the fenderwells, inside the rocker panels, and on the El Camino's underside. Depending on the extent of coverage you go with, expect to spend anywhere from $500-$1,800, and add on a maximum of 35 pounds in the process.

Perhaps the most time-consuming aspect of spray-on bedliner is the masking process. Make a mistake with the tape lines and you have a mistake for life.
Perhaps the most time-consuming aspect of spray-on bedliner is the masking process. Make a
Several hours later the entire cocooning process of taping up the vehicle was done. Only the bed and underside are exposed and ready to receive a thick coating.
Several hours later the entire cocooning process of taping up the vehicle was done. Only t
After the bed was thoroughly coated, we turned her over and took care of the underside, rocker panels, and fenderwells. Reflex will protect against abrasion and dents, and resists gasoline, diesel, oil, and many other abrasive chemicals.
After the bed was thoroughly coated, we turned her over and took care of the underside, ro

The Reflex liner comes in all types of OE colors, but nothing beats a gloss black, especially on a red El Camino.
The Reflex liner comes in all types of OE colors, but nothing beats a gloss black, especia
The Reflex liner sets up the minute it hits the surface. Still, we let it cure for a couple of hours after spraying to give us a chance to enjoy some of those cold ones we had in the cooler. As far as the body is concerned, the entire outside is finished! It's got new paint, a new bedliner, and a new undercoating. We focused next on finishing the interior by adding Dynamat Extreme insulation and sound deadener.
The Reflex liner sets up the minute it hits the surface. Still, we let it cure for a coupl
Dynamat is a self-adhesive liner. To make sure we had some serious stick, we thoroughly washed and dried the El Camino's cab. No dirt or grease could be found anywhere inside.
Dynamat is a self-adhesive liner. To make sure we had some serious stick, we thoroughly wa

Dynamat Xtreme conforms and fuses easily to sheetmetal and other hard substrates. Before we started cutting and peeling, a quick mock-up and layout was in order. The Dynamat was spread out so we could see how much we had to use and where it had to be cut.
Dynamat Xtreme conforms and fuses easily to sheetmetal and other hard substrates. Before w
Oh yeah, don't forget to use this handy dandy roller. Once the adhesive backing is peeled, this roller helps push it into the floor's contours.
Oh yeah, don't forget to use this handy dandy roller. Once the adhesive backing is peeled,
If air pockets form, an incision with a razor blade solves the problem rather easily. The same also applies to threaded holes in the floor and body plugs. Nothing a little cutting can't fix.
If air pockets form, an incision with a razor blade solves the problem rather easily. The

Dynamat is extremely easy to work with. A half hour later nearly the entire floor of the El Camino was covered. This insulation will do wonders for minimizing road noise and eliminating unwanted vibration.
Dynamat is extremely easy to work with. A half hour later nearly the entire floor of the E
Dynamat isn't just for floors and doors--check out this nasty rat's nest of insulation in the headliner. Sure, it was decent 36 years ago, but now it's time to go.
Dynamat isn't just for floors and doors--check out this nasty rat's nest of insulation in
Wow, after all the sneezing was over from pulling out the dusty old liner, a quick cleanup was in order and the Dynamat stuck to the ceiling like flypaper.
Wow, after all the sneezing was over from pulling out the dusty old liner, a quick cleanup

The ceiling and the floor of the cab are now covered and ready to keep things quiet.
On the firewall itself, we decided to stick with the OE-type insulation from Year One. This saved us time cutting access holes in the Dynamat for all the wiring, linkage, and cables coming from the engine compartment.
On the firewall itself, we decided to stick with the OE-type insulation from Year One. Thi

SOURCES
Harrison's Restorations	Dynamat 3042 Symmes Rd. Hamilton OH 45015 513-860-5094 www.dynamat.com
Langeman Manufacturing	Year One PO Box 129 Tucker GA 30085 800-932-7663 770-496-1949 www.nextgenparts.com/mustang