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
Applying Raptor protective coating is quick and easy
Paints for modern cars are endowed with excellent quality characteristics, which allows you to create an ideal glossy finish.
However, not every paint can protect the metal surface from rust. In this case, the raptor coating will come to the rescue. During active use of vehicles such as a jeep, pickup truck, Niva and light-duty trucks, scratches and visual defects often appear on the paintwork of the body surface. Over time, rust will form in damaged areas when exposed to moisture. Because of this, the appearance of the car loses its attractiveness. To help the car enthusiast cope with such problems, a large number of protective equipment are available on the automotive market today. The most effective product is considered to be from the manufacturer U-pol – raptor pol.
In retail sales, Raptor pol is sold in a package that includes 5 containers. One container (liter) is filled with a hardener, the remaining 4 (each 750 grams) are filled with a special chemical composition. The kit includes a gun designed for applying this product, which has properties such as anti-corrosive and anti-gravel. The gun nozzle is carefully calibrated, which ensures high-quality application of the prepared composition with your own hands. To cover a small area of the body, you can use a regular brush. Each bottle is designed for use in conjunction with a pistol.
Today, a car enthusiast can purchase a set with a product in black and cloudy white shades. The latter is used to create almost any color for car painting. The kit also includes detailed instructions on how to paint the surface of a car with raptor.
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
Precautionary measures
Since U-Pol Raptor has a negative effect on mucous membranes, eyes, skin, can cause a feeling of drowsiness and even loss of consciousness, and is also a flammable material, when working with it, be sure to use a respirator, safety glasses, gloves and special overalls. The painting site must be provided with fire extinguishing equipment in advance, and good ventilation must also be ensured.
Painting a raptor is not something super complicated. After looking at the corresponding photos and videos, even a beginner can handle it. The most important thing is to strictly follow all the manufacturer’s recommendations and scrupulously complete the work steps.
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
OPEN
Preparation and application to old coating and metal. Painting a car with Raptor is not a complicated process and can be done by a car enthusiast, but it requires careful preliminary preparation. If painting will be carried out over the entire body of the car, then initially you need to remove all the attached parts from the body: bumpers, headlights, turns, mirrors, and so on. Contaminants, traces of rust, places of peeling paint are removed from the body using chemicals and cleaning materials.
Raptor is not applied to bare metal, plastic or glossy surfaces; abrasive preparation is required! We prepare the body for painting with P180 sandpaper, this abrasive will remove the gloss. The surface to be painted with Raptor should be matte. If necessary, the body is straightened and puttied in places of dents, the putty is treated with abrasive from P80 to P180. It is recommended to apply 1-2 layers of U-POL ACID#8 etching primer (sold in a can or aerosol) to areas of the body with exposed metal.
U-POL ACID#8 primer has adhesion to bare metal, aluminum, galvanized and galvanized steel. The putty can also be overcoated in one coat with ACID #8 etch primer without sanding after 20 minutes. apply Raptor. Hard-to-reach places where it is not possible to create a risk with P180 abrasive can be treated in 1-2 layers with a special composition GRIP#4 U-POL (aerosol) - an adhesion enhancer. The GRIP#4 U-POL composition is applied to a glossy surface and creates a sticky film that perfectly holds any coating after 20 minutes. apply paint or Raptor.
Parts sanded with P180 abrasive should be cleaned of grinding dust and degreased with anti-silicone cleaner (degreaser) S2001 U-Pol. All parts of the car that remain on the body and will not be painted should be covered with protective material with film or paper, using masking tape as fastening. After this we prepare Raptor for application.
The instructions for use of Raptor say that it has excellent adhesion to painted surfaces, so the painting procedure can be carried out even outdoors, without fear of the sun, wind and dust. However, it is better to carry out painting indoors in the absence of dust, on a clean and grease-free body.
Painting plastic parts
Raptor is not applied to bare plastic, only through the plastic primer PLAST X2 Adhesive primer! Plastic parts without paint coating are degreased and applied with red scotch-brite, then degreased again and applied with 1-2 layers of primer Plast X2 U-POL (aerosol). Only after this, after 20 minutes, can you apply the Raptor primer. If the plastic parts are coated with paint, then we matt the old coating using a P180 abrasive sponge or red Scotch-Brite, and prime the areas sanded down to the plastic with Plast X2 U-POL aerosol. Afterwards, let the primer dry for 20 minutes and apply Raptor.
Application technology Raptor (black version BLACK) After all the preparatory work, you can proceed to painting the body. The instructions for use recommend mixing the material with the hardener in a ratio of 3:1. In the jar where Raptor is located, there is a mark at which you should add hardener - it will be exactly 250 grams. You can also use measuring cups for dosing. Close the jar and shake the contents for a few minutes to mix the Raptor and the hardener.
Fine textured Raptor application. And in order for the texture of the applied coating to be smaller, it is recommended to add 10-15% S2040 U-POL thinner to the bottle with the material and hardener, and then Raptor can be applied even through a primer spray gun with a nozzle of 1.6 - 2.5 mm. In this case, the texture will be fine and similar to regular matte paint. Also, using a spray gun with a nozzle of 1.6 - 2.5 mm will save Raptor and apply the first layer faster with perfect painting of hard-to-reach places. Moreover, a spray gun for soil with a nozzle from 1.6 – 2.5 mm. has an adjustable torch, unlike an anti-gravel spray gun, which paints with a dot, so U-POL recommends using two spray guns for a variety of Raptor applications, both with fine and coarse textures. Painting begins from the roof of the car using even movements. The gun should be kept 20 - 30 centimeters from the surface to be painted. We set the pressure on the spray gun from 2.5 to 4 atm. The texture coating can be adjusted by pressure and distance to the surface. Apply Raptor with a primer gun with a nozzle of 1.6 - 2.5 mm. in 2 layers, with interlayer drying for 40 minutes. Do not dilute the entire volume of Raptor with the hardener, because Raptor is diluted with the hardener after 40 minutes. will thicken and painting into a fine texture will be difficult. Dilute Raptor with hardener only before application!
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
Stages of applying protection to a car
The manufacturer indicates in the instructions that it is necessary to mix chemical reagents with the hardener in a ratio of three to one (3:1). For convenience, the bottle with the chemical component has a border for pouring the hardener. The mixture should be shaken well for several minutes. The manufacturer offers Raptor pol with different drying speeds. This allows the inexperienced car enthusiast to choose a compound that will take longer to dry, giving him more time to apply the coating.
After shaking the mixture, we attach the bottle to a special gun and begin to carry out the main work. Painting with raptor is carried out using a compressor. The gun is connected to the compressor using a long hose so as not to interfere with the technician’s movements around the car.
To paint a car in the color of your choice, you need to purchase a chemical mixture of a cloudy white shade. In this case, you will need an additional component - a color pigment. You can buy it from an official representative of the manufacturer. Only there they will be able to give qualified advice on mixing pigment with raptor to obtain the required color.
We mix the chemical reagents in the package in a ratio of three to one, after which we add pigment to achieve the desired color. Using a compressor and a gun, we paint the floor of the car body with raptor.
The first layer of coating is applied to the roof of the car. The movements are uniform, without sudden changes. The gun nozzle should not approach the surface closer than 40-50 cm. To create a high-quality coating, the following conditions must be met:
- the air temperature when applying Raptor should be within +20 0 C;
- the time interval between spraying the first and second layers should be 40–60 minutes.
When working, avoid overfilling - do not apply a large amount of coating in one place. Experts say that such thickening can lead to the appearance of chips during the operation of the car.
Ideally, the car should dry within 5 days. However, if there is an urgent need, you can start using the machine after 12 hours, but you should make sure that there is no impact on the protective coating.
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.
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
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
Basic preparatory work
Painting with raptor is not a very labor-intensive and complicated process that almost any car enthusiast can do. However, for its high-quality implementation it is necessary to carry out a set of certain preliminary measures, and they will require effort.
At the initial stage, all attachments are removed, namely: headlights, mirrors, bumpers, turns. The next step is to remove traces of rust and loose pieces of old car paint from the car.
Expert opinion
Ilya Vyacheslavovich
Consultant for body repair at krasymavto.ru
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All problem areas must be etched with a special primer - ACID No. 8.
If there are dents on the car, they are straightened and puttied. At the final stage, the entire surface is degreased with S2001 cleaner, and the gloss is removed using fine sandpaper. Work with sandpaper is carried out until the body becomes matte.
The instructions included with the substance say that Raptor pol has ideal adhesion. This indicator allows you to carry out work on applying protection in the sun or in windy weather. But it’s not worth the risk; it’s advisable to work in a closed garage.
Having completed all the preparatory measures efficiently, you can safely move on to the main procedure - applying a protective coating to the body of a Niva, UAZ or any other car.
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
Equipment
Raptor paint for cars is sold in sets, each of which consists of four bottles of the base material (capacity 750 grams) and one liter container with hardener. Additionally, an anti-gravel gun is included, for which all containers are adapted. Painting a car with Raptor requires about 10-15 liters of base material. Upol produces a coating in two colors: black and cloudy white, which can be tinted to any desired shade using colored paint. The kit also contains a technical data sheet for the product and instructions for its use.
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.
Features of working with Raptor U-Pol car paint
No matter what method you paint with, the precautions are the same. All of them are described in the attached instructions, developed by specialists:
- do not spray the mixture near an open fire - Raptor pol is flammable;
- when working, protect your eyes - you need to wear special glasses;
- contact of the substance with the skin leads to dryness and cracking - spraying is carried out exclusively with work gloves;
- Raptor pol vapors may cause drowsiness, so work in fresh air or in a ventilated garage. If the room is not ventilated, you need to work in a respirator.
Applying a protective coating does not require any special skills or experience from the car owner. Raptor flooring is not afraid of high and low temperatures, ultraviolet rays, salt and moisture - it is an ideal anti-corrosion and anti-gravel coating, the coating protects the surface of the car body for a long time and efficiently. In addition, although it is minimal, it still reduces the level of noise and vibration while driving.
Car enthusiasts who decide to independently apply the Raptor pol protective coating to the car body will be satisfied with the appearance of the car. With such protection, the jeep, pickup truck, and Niva’s paintwork are not afraid of gravel, corrosion, or dead wood.
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.
How to apply Raptor to a car body
Before you get started, you need to acquire some tools. At a minimum, for work you will need: a body cleaner, putty (if there are dents on the body), a primer (you can do without it and apply Raptor directly to the paint), rags, a means for applying Raptor (brushes, rollers or special sprayers), masking tape and paper to protect unpainted parts of the car.
The process of applying Raptor to the car body is as follows:
- The first step is to remove various elements from the car that do not require painting. These are attachments, plastic elements, etc.;
- Next, remove all dirt from the car body - rinse it thoroughly and dry it;
- If there are dents, scratches, chips and other defects on the body, they need to be repaired with putty;
- If there are already corrosion formations on the body, they should be treated with a corrosion inhibitor;
- After preparing the body, cover those areas that do not need to be covered with Raptor. To do this, use masking tape and paper (newspaper);
- Next, you need to thoroughly wipe the body to remove dust particles formed during the preparatory steps;
Mix Raptor as indicated in the manufacturer's instructions. Most often, the product is supplied in several bottles, one of which contains a hardener. It must be mixed with the paint itself in the proportions indicated by the manufacturer. After the composition is mixed, it is better not to delay its application, otherwise it will quickly harden;
That's it, painting the car with Raptor can be considered complete. A day after applying paint to the car, you can drive it.
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.
