A metal body inevitably becomes covered with rust over time. The cause is usually inevitable damage to the paint. Violation of integrity can be imperceptible, but creates conditions for the formation of corrosion. Water comes into contact with the metal and quickly leads to the appearance of rust, then a through hole and a large area of “rot.” Raptor is a corrosion protection product that was developed by Upol. Do-it-yourself Raptor painting is a way to increase the durability of the body and protect it from destruction.
What is Raptor for cars?
Raptor painting is a procedure for covering a car with a composition based on polyurethane. The product is not a paint, it can be classified as a group of anti-gravel coatings with the only difference - the composition of the substance replaces rubber with polyurethane, it is harder and creates a durable coating.
The substance additionally contains impurities that contribute to high-quality atomization and better adhesion to the base. The manufacturer does not reveal the secret of the composition.
Protective coating Raptor
Drying the Raptor coating
Raptor dries touch-free in 1 hour. After 2-3 days you can use it with caution. After 7 days, the surface painted with Raptor is completely ready for use. Drying can be accelerated by increasing the temperature (60 degrees), but complete hardening will also occur no earlier than 7 days.
p, blockquote 10,0,0,0,0 –>
It is not recommended to infrared dry the Raptor.
p, blockquote 11,0,0,0,0 –> p, blockquote 12,0,0,0,1 –>
“>
In what cases is a car painted with Raptor?
Painting a car with Raptor provides a high degree of resistance to mechanical damage. The coating increases protection against impacts of stones and sand, and forms a high-quality sound insulation layer.
The Raptor body painting is not carried out completely; usually only those areas that are more exposed to impacts and scratches are treated: the lower part of the doors, bumpers and sills. Areas with additional coating are highly resistant to damage from foreign objects; “Raptor” protects the metal from contact with water.
Completely painting a car with Raptor is not a good solution, as it will require large investments and will make it difficult to remove dirt. The surface acquires a shagreen texture, the color changes somewhat, and there may be difficulties in selecting paint.
The Raptor's paint is resistant to impacts from grains of sand and small stones. The composition is relatively thick, which makes it lay down in a thick layer. Increasing the thickness of the base leads to the creation of a noise-absorbing coating. The car becomes more resistant to vibrations.
In recent years, painting wheels with “Raptor” has become popular, since the wheels are in particularly difficult operating conditions: constant contact with water, salt, sand, stones, etc.
Painting a car with Raptor provides a high degree of resistance to mechanical damage
Application methods
In fact, painting a car with Raptor is not much different from using traditional paints and varnishes. However, the newfangled material is less “capricious” than conventional car paints. You can even apply it outdoors, but it is advisable to avoid this approach so as not to get negative effects from dust, moisture, wind or other external factors.
We recommend following a specific application order:
Before you start processing, you should get rid of removable elements on the body, including mirrors, wheels, bumpers, etc. If there are problem areas with rust, mold or other types of external damage, you will have to clean these areas from damage
You also need to level, putty and straighten any possible dents or depressions. We get rid of the glossy layer using special abrasive discs, which will help the new anti-gravel coating to better adhere to the outside. It is important to pre-etch with the proprietary special primer ACID#8 U-POL. If there are plastic elements, then adhesive primers are used. The layers are applied evenly with pauses for drying.
It is necessary to refrain from extreme conquest of difficult trails for some time (about three weeks) after treatment. This will make it possible to fully form a high-quality coating.
The result will be a shagreen layer. The degree of its relief can be adjusted using a spray gun during processing. At higher pressure the format will be smoother.
How the paint works
Painting a car with Raptor creates the most durable and high-quality polyurethane coating. Paint is used to form a protective layer on body parts and wheels. The material protects the body from ultraviolet radiation, water and mechanical damage, i.e. the product eliminates the car’s vulnerabilities.
The manufacturer initially developed the substance for coloring wooden and cement products to protect against water. Now the purpose of Raptor is reduced to treating car bodies; it is important to coat SUVs and cars that are used in difficult conditions with the composition.
Do-it-yourself Raptor painting does not create a visible change in the body, but it becomes much stronger and prevents damage. Other positive properties include:
- tolerates sunlight well;
- resistant to many chemicals;
- can be cleaned from dust and dirt;
- creates reliable protection against rust.
After applying the product, the body acquires a lumpy and matte effect, reminiscent of citrus peels. Such a phenomenon cannot be classified as positive or negative - it is a matter of taste. It is worth considering that this effect cannot be removed.
It is important to consider that it is unacceptable to apply varnish on top. If you ignore the preparation and application technology, the base will become vulnerable to ultraviolet radiation and mechanical damage.
Raptor coating does not have to be carried out in a specially prepared room
Features of the original appearance of the car
It is worth considering that the product from the U-POL company, which has the full name U-POL'S RAPTOR TRUCK BED LINER, was originally intended for processing the working platforms of cargo compartments in pickup trucks or trucks. However, the excellent characteristics of the paint have ensured its success in various industries, which sometimes do not even concern cars.
The material is a two-component composition, which includes the paint base itself and a proprietary hardener. The base is a polymer urethane solution, which gives maximum strength to the product. With all its strength characteristics, a thin film in the form of an orange peel has a high degree of ductility, which prevents it from collapsing under possible impact resistance.
As a result, the user receives a surface that has a considerable number of positive parameters:
- the car has an original appearance that is recognizable in traffic;
- the existing texture prevents the appearance of corrosion spots from water, salts and active chemicals;
- the layer does not fade from sunlight;
- Raptor painting technology is available even to non-professional specialists in garage conditions, subject to the rules for handling the material;
- the layer resists abrasion over time and is not even damaged by scratching by branches;
- the applied rough paint serves as an additional noise and vibration absorber when applied in the gift space and under the bottom;
- After blowing such paint onto the floor of the cargo compartment, the resulting texture will become an obstacle to the sliding of all kinds of cargo.
Raptor painting is also carried out in areas subject to active wear.
Advantages and disadvantages of Raptor
After painting the car with polyurethane liquid, a dense protective film is formed, which during operation shows numerous advantages:
- increases body strength;
- increases resistance to friction;
- easy to clean;
- the material is UV resistant;
- does not lose decorative properties during operation;
- creates reliable protection against corrosion;
- provides resistance to many chemicals;
- plastic can be processed.
Painting with “Raptor” has not only advantages, but also disadvantages, among them:
- You cannot apply additional varnish; the body will always have a matte effect;
- creates a feeling of shagreen skin;
- If applied incorrectly, there is a risk of chipping.
Raptor increases body strength
Dyeing process
As a rule, Pol Raptor paint comes in only two types: black and colorless, with the further addition of pigments. The kit also includes a hardener and a special gun for using this particular paint. Any other gun is not suitable, as it requires a special attachment.
Raptor paint must be immediately mixed in the amount required for painting. Please note that stirred Raptor is only suitable for use for 3 hours . Mix the components in the same can of paint. After the mixture is ready, you should screw a gun with a hose onto the jar, and you can start painting.
Metallic pewter paint
Pol Raptor paint should be sprayed onto the surface of the car at a distance of 40-50 centimeters. This way the substance will lay down in an even layer, which will prevent the formation of smudges and bubbles. It should be painted in two layers. The break between applying Raptor should be at least 40-50 minutes.
The Raptor painting process must be carried out in a dry, draft-free room. But since Pol Raptor has a high level of adhesion, painting can be done outdoors in warm, dry weather. The car should dry after painting only in a well-ventilated area . “Raptor” is a rather “poisonous” paint with a strong unpleasant odor.
How much does Raptor paint cost?
Painting a car with Raptor yourself will help you save on work, but the cost of materials will have to be paid in any case. Costs vary depending on the type of vehicle. Usually the product is sold in a set of four 1-liter cans, each container has a thread for installation on a gun. A hardener is supplied in the kit; it is mixed with the main liquid before application. Everything in total will cost about six thousand rubles.
If you don’t have a sprayer, you can buy it along with the kit, the overpayment will be about two thousand rubles. The average car consumes about 10-15 liters.
Preparation of paint and varnish solutions
The main color tone for the Raptor is black. About half of the cars are painted in this color. The company also offers, in addition to BLACK, a tinted version called TINTABLE. To the latter it is necessary to add the desired color component of the required pigment.
It is important to know that when applying paint with a roller, you must purchase the appropriate kit called ROLL-ON RAPTOR.
Mixing is carried out in accordance with the instructions in a 3:1 ratio of paint and hardener. For convenience, packaging is carried out in containers of 0.75 l (paint) and 0.25 l (hardener). You should not use ordinary solvents for the process, as they will not give the desired effect.
Tinting Raptor
Raptor liquid is sold exclusively in white and black. For tinting, paints with different colors can be added to the composition. Stores sell coloring paints that are added to the white polyurethane composition.
It is difficult to achieve a harmonious combination of the main parts of the body and the new coating; it is better to prefer the services of an experienced colorist. If the car is in dark colors, you can choose the shade yourself, even if you miscalculate a little, there will be no visual deterioration.
There is a lot of competition in the field of automotive chemicals today; manufacturers produce worthy analogues of Raptor:
- Z-pro;
- Line-x;
- Full Metal Jacket.
Protective coating Z-PRO
Means of protection
It is worth considering that Raptor is a highly toxic product that has a pungent, unpleasant odor. It will take 21 days from the date of application for the paint to dry completely. You can operate the car as usual within 7-10 days from the date of application of the protective coating. You should refrain from additional coating with varnish and other similar means.
We should not forget that this composition includes harmful chemical compounds, so all manipulations with it must be carried out in special clothing and a respirator.
Preparing to paint with Raptor
There are varied reviews on the Internet regarding the Raptor, some note that the car is rotting at the same speed. The problem is not in the composition itself, but in the violation of technology. Before you start painting your car, you should carefully prepare it, in practice this means:
- The part is thoroughly cleaned of rust. Before applying the composition, a light surface with the characteristic color of the metal should appear. If during cleaning, through holes are formed, you should weld them, only carefully so that the adjacent surface is not “pulled”;
- the metal is treated with orthophosphoric acid, which is the basis of rust converters. The etching step is important to remove small particles of corrosion, otherwise the coating will be vulnerable. After completing the procedure, the acid is washed off with water, then the surface is wiped dry;
- The surface is treated with sandpaper, ideally suited with a number of 240-320. Coarse-grained material will cause scratches to appear; they will be noticeable, sometimes providing access to the “bare” metal;
- This area is covered with a degreaser, using either a special liquid or a universal solvent - white spirit.
When painting with your own hands, it is definitely recommended to follow the listed preparation steps. Careful adherence to them is the key to a high-quality final coating.
It is important to seal all holes; if there are large holes in the body, in extreme cases, they are covered with putty with the addition of fiberglass. It is better to weld an iron sheet, but the procedure requires skill. It is advisable to treat the surface on the other side with any sealant; this will help localize the source of destruction.
In the absence of knowledge of how to cover the base with acidic soil, there is a risk of “raising” subsequent layers. It is better to use a standard metal primer.
Preparing a car for painting with Raptor
There are 3 types of soils
I bring to your attention a short story about the types of primers. The soil is also called Primer from the word Prime (basic, primary).
There are 3 types of soils:
Let's look at which of them are used in car repair:
In terms of degree of adhesion, Echt Primer is the leader; it is also good in anti-corrosion properties, but only for smooth metals not damaged by corrosion. It is not suitable for priming after sandblasting as the 5-7 micron thickness is not sufficient to protect the rough surface. Even a risk of P60-P80 on soft metal can be critical for its use. But its working viscosity of 12-15 seconds (Din 4) ensures good penetration under metal joints, into internal cavities, around washers, bolts, rivets, providing the necessary adhesion and anti-corrosion protection there. Echt Primer must be covered with epoxy or polyurethane 2-component paintwork.
The more popular material is Wash Primer, but you need to understand that this is a reversible 1k product and it is dangerous to apply several layers, since the coating film will not be stable (sagging and contouring are possible). Basically, acid primers are sprayed in one layer in a 2-stage primer-filler 2k system, since it is not recommended to spray paint on a one-component material.
Primers such as Wash Filler PPG D855 are currently practically not used, since their acidic properties are weaker, and the filling abilities of 1k material without a hardener are not suitable for dry grinding technology. 1k material gets clogged by abrasive.
Recently, since the quality of new parts, even Taiwanese ones, is usually normal, a good transport primer is used, which does not need to be completely removed, after matting, small areas of exposed metal can be quickly protected with Aerosol epoxy primer Autolux AL415, PPG D8421 in 15-20 minutes already you can spray filler. When repairing a non-corrosive surface, after filling and leveling the surface, it is often convenient to treat small areas of exposed metal with an aerosol epoxy primer. If you need to give reliable anti-corrosion protection to old, slightly corroded metal (restoration), or metal after sandblasting, it is better to choose a 2k barrier-type epoxy primer 3:1 or 4:1, which can be sprayed in 2-3 layers with a thickness of 40-60 microns, thus reliably isolating the metal from oxidation
For wet-on-wet technology, it is convenient to use epoxy modified primer 2k (usually diluted 1:1) as one material without overlapping filler, since it forms a very smooth surface and metallic paint adheres well to it. Paintwork materials of this type are usually represented only by premium brands PPG D834 (DP40).
The modern quality of metal, galvanization and anti-corrosion protection of the car body and new parts has improved significantly; many paint manufacturers began to produce 2k fillers with good adhesive and anti-corrosion properties (the hardener is more active and the paint film is denser), which can be immediately applied to the transport primer without sanding, even application to small (up to 10 cm2) areas of exposed metal. PPG DP4000
How to paint with Raptor?
Painting a car with “Raptor” is a long-term procedure; first of all, you should take care of alternative transport for 3 weeks (that’s how long polymerization lasts).
Before painting with Raptor, you should prepare a compressor, otherwise a uniform layer will not be achieved. The brush will not allow you to create a high-quality layer; unevenness will remain on the surface. For reinforcing parts, brushes may be sufficient; paint with end touches to imitate shagreen.
When using a gun, it is recommended to protect adjacent areas from polyurethane, since you will have to paint the entire area with Raptor. The simplest way to control the application area is to treat the adjacent metal with film or masking tape. Sometimes it is necessary to dismantle individual body elements.
It is important to protect your respiratory system when working with a chemical composition, as it can cause harm to health in the absence of a respirator.
The sprayer is a standard gun for applying mastic and anti-gravel. The tool is basic and, accordingly, is present in all workshops. If you use a special gun, the craftsman has the opportunity to influence the texture of the coating, which changes the pattern of shagreen. When working with an anti-gravel gun, a similar effect occurs by changing the pressure.
To reduce the shagreen grain, it is recommended to add a solvent. To see the final result, it is better to initially conduct the experiment on any metal surface.
When we paint any body element with Raptor, we should not make sudden or chaotic movements. We move the gun smoothly, alternating stripes starting from the bottom and moving up. To prevent drips, the hand must always be in motion; the slightest delay will lead to the accumulation of a thick layer and the drops rolling off.
Body elements are painted in layers. It is allowed to move on to the next layer only after the previous one has dried, as evidenced by the elimination of the wet sheen. The disk solution is applied exactly according to the same rules as the body solution.
Painting a car with Raptor
Are there any negative aspects to using such a solution?
In all types of work there are positive and negative aspects, the only question is their quantity.
View gallery
Possible disadvantages include the following:
- contraindications to the use of varnish substances over the protective layer, so the coating will be permanently matte;
- the external appearance of the treated body will resemble the surface of an orange peel; some car enthusiasts may not like this;
- Deviation from the recommended technology will lead to the appearance of defects;
- long process of complete drying (polymerization).
For the final result, these shortcomings are not significant. Now you know what this car coating is.
Safety precautions when working with Raptor
Personal protection when painting a car with Raptor is a must. All necessary measures are indicated on the container, as well as possible complications if the standards are violated.
Negative influences upon contact with humans:
- easy flammability can cause burns;
- leads to eye irritation;
- upon open contact with the skin, it becomes dry and cracks form;
- Inhalation of vapors may cause drowsiness, hallucinations, or other disturbances in brain function.
It is allowed to work with the composition only in thick clothing, gloves, safety glasses and a respirator. The room must have a working exhaust hood and a fire safety system.
How to remove Raptor from a car?
After hardening, the coating becomes durable and resistant to various influences, including mechanical ones, therefore, it is not easy to remove the Raptor.
If you use sandpaper to remove the layer, it will take a lot of time, and the result will be barely noticeable. The pores between the grains will quickly become clogged, and regular replacement of the material will be required. A more radical method is an angle grinder with abrasive or fiber, but the method is dangerous due to the high risk of damage.
You can put a metal brush on a drill or grinder, but the body part quickly overheats and there is a risk of deformation of the base. When using an electric tool, treatment with putty is required.
The best way to remove the base is to use a heat gun and a narrow spatula. Heat up a small body element and immediately remove the polyurethane, otherwise it will harden again.
Reviews from car owners
Most motorists speak well of the Raptor paint. The specificity of the issue plays a role here. Repainting the body is an expensive undertaking. And if you take into account that you will have to paint in an unusual format, instead of car enamel, blowing the entire body into polymer, then it becomes clear: before making such a decision, car owners thoroughly study the issue and do not do this work “at random.”
This paint gets good reviews mainly for its really high resistance to external influences. Foresters, hunters and fishermen who drive their vehicles through forests and off-road have appreciated the ability of Raptor coatings to withstand abrasive dirt, stones and tree branches.
Negative reviews of Raptor paints often include motorists' dissatisfaction with local peeling of the coating and the impossibility of spot repairs with an acceptable result. This problem is especially relevant for plastic elements. It happens that almost half of the coating falls off from a bumper or molding at one time.
Typically, motorists with an adventurous streak decide to undertake such experiments. Those who are not afraid to try new things. Those who try, for example, “Titan” paints or protective compounds like “Bronekor”. And often such experiments end in positive emotions.
>
Recommendations
There is always an alternative - hammer effect paint or Xeralic painting. It is possible to more accurately select the best composition only after clarifying the processing purposes and other individual requirements. The most important factor is the issue of price. There are many nuances regarding how much it costs to paint a car; they are discussed in detail in a separate article.
There are additional ways to prepare a car for difficult operating conditions, as discussed in the article - types of camouflage. There are both hunting varieties of camouflage and decorative ones. Another important factor in maintaining the appearance is the paint on the rims.
