OTTUMWA — For Brad Lisk and Kevin Webster, co-owners of Body Masters in Ottumwa, it was an easy business decision.

When they found out that a spray-on protective coatings franchise in Fairfield was closing, they jumped at the chance to take over the territory.

In July, Lisk and Webster invested in the LINE-X franchise and the equipment to get it started. They combined their body shop with the spray-on business, and said it’s going well so far.

The spray is a mix of two different chemicals, that when put together create a hard, long-lasting, skid-free surface. It can be sprayed on just about anything that can be sanded, Lisk said.

Since then, they have sprayed trucks and boats, among other things, and are capable of covering metal, aluminum, fiberglass, Styrofoam, wood and concrete surfaces.

“The possibilities are pretty much endless,” Webster said.

Most of their business has been on new and used truck beds. They serve residents and local car dealers, Lisk said.

“It doesn’t matter how old it is, we can still do it,” Lisk said about trucks they can coat.

There’s a lot more they can do with the spray mixture, though, Lisk said.

“You want a picnic table done, I’ll do a picnic table. You can LINE-X anything you can sand,” Lisk said.

They will do a standard black bedliner, add an extra coating to protect fading, or the customer can have their choice of color added.

Once it is dried, the coating is among the most durable.

“It will stretch 125 times its original size before it tears,” Lisk said, adding that the products are utilized in commercial, industrial, agricultural, military and custom applications.

Pat Shaver can be reached at (641) 683-5360 or by e-mail at p.shaver@ottumwacourier.com.