Painting a raptor with your own hands: tips and tricks

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.

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It is not recommended to infrared dry the Raptor.

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Paints for coating the bodies of modern cars have excellent characteristics and a glossy appearance. However, on jeeps, pickups, and trucks operating in harsh natural conditions when transporting goods, ordinary paint can very soon become covered with scratches from branches or abrasions from transported goods. As a result, rust appears at the site of the scratches, and the car loses its attractive appearance.

There are many products on the market for repairing car bodies. We suggest you choose products from the U-POL brand, which has more than 60 years of experience in this field. Polyurethane raptor coating and consumables for it from U-POL are specially designed for application as a protective coating on the bodies of pickup trucks, SUVs and trucks.

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

Advantages and disadvantages

Let's first look at the advantages of the Raptor polymer coating.

Unusual, authentic look of the finished coating. This point can also be considered a disadvantage. When choosing a category for this feature, we looked at quite a few repainted cars. And if we consider the black version of the “Raptor” coating, then the unusual texture of the finished layer is definitely a plus. At the very least, it’s hard not to pay attention to a car painted in such an unusual color.
Incredibly durable protection against mechanical impact. The polymer coating formed by “Raptor” paint is many times more resistant to mechanical stress than conventional enamels. It is difficult to scratch it so that the scratch remains visible. And even if you manage to leave a visible mark with a sharp object, it is unlikely that you will be able to destroy the polymer film to the metal. But there is one caveat here: the coating must be applied according to technology and then stand for at least three weeks until it fully gains strength.
Protection of the body from moisture and air. If the paint layer is applied according to technology and is not damaged, then it creates a polymer protection that reliably isolates the metal from external chemical influences.
Resistant to temperature changes and UV rays. Raptor paint is absolutely immune to influences of this kind and does not change its color or texture in any way.

Raptor paints also have disadvantages.

Low adhesion. Pre-finished Raptor will peel off in chunks if applied to an unprepared glossy surface.
Difficulty in applying it yourself in terms of following the technology. For good adhesion, you will need to treat 100% of the surface to be painted with a coarse abrasive. Small areas that do not have a dense mesh of notches may crumble over time.
Impossibility of local elimination of the defect. At a minimum, a complete repainting of the element will be required in case of serious damage.
The variability of the final result depends on the method of preparing the paint and the technology of applying it to the surface to be painted.
Possibility of hidden corrosion. The Raptor's paint comes off the metal in one continuous crust. There are cases where the outer polymer coating retained its integrity, but due to minor damage, a corrosion center actively developed underneath it. Unlike conventional car enamels, this type of paint peels off in large areas, but does not crumble, but retains its external integrity.

Despite a fairly large number of shortcomings, this paint is gaining popularity among Russian motorists.

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

Main advantages

Let us list all the advantages of the material, thanks to which it has become in demand among car owners:

paint consumption is optimal, it is enough for a fairly large area;
application can be carried out in any way (roller, brush or spray);
the paint dries in a fairly short time;
During operation, the coating does not fade or fade, and can withstand certain loads under mechanical stress;
excellent performance in providing noise and vibration insulation;
a very high degree of adhesion is inherent;
preparing the surface for painting does not require any special techniques;
When performing work, no special conditions are required; painting can be done even on the street;
the paint does not require any special actions in preparation for work; just shake the aerosol well;
the period of action of the applied substance is quite long, so there is no need to carry out treatment frequently;
application can be carried out either directly on the metal or on the old coating;
no need to seal with varnish after application;
wide range of applications, the paint is especially good as an anti-vandal agent.

On video: review of Raptor paint.

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

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.

Painting technology

As already mentioned, the paint application procedure is simple and you don’t have to put in much effort. But, nevertheless, painting is carried out according to a certain algorithm, so as not to spoil the surface of the body and not harm your own health.

Surface preparation

Initially, you should prepare the car body for painting, especially if the substance will be applied to its entire surface. At the first stage, we free the body from all the parts located on it: headlights, sidelights, bumpers, mirrors, etc. After this, carefully inspect the surface. In places where there are defects, we sand to remove rust or peeling paint. If there are dents, they should be straightened. Open areas must be degreased and primed.

After we have treated the problem areas, we begin to remove the gloss from the entire body using R-80 sandpaper. At the final stage of preparing the car for painting, we protect all non-removable elements with film, paper and masking tape.

Important! Despite the fact that painting with Raptor paint can be carried out even outdoors, to guarantee quality and comply with safety rules, it is still better to use a special hangar or garage.

Preparation of materials and tools

After the car is ready for painting, we prepare materials and tools for the procedure. Rags, paint brushes and rollers should be at hand. It is better to do the main work using a special spray gun. Of course, you can use a roller, but it should be noted that the quality of the surface will be slightly different from what you get after spraying.

Using a gun, you can adjust the spray jet; the number of air bubbles formed will be significantly less. We will also get rid of the strokes that a regular paint brush can leave.

To ensure a high-quality surface, it is important to purchase the required amount of paint. To do this, certain calculations are carried out, since the consumption of the substance depends on the condition of the surface and the number of layers applied. If you find it difficult to make the calculation yourself, it is better to contact specialists with this question.

As for preparing Raptor paint for painting, following the instructions, it must be mixed with a hardener in a ratio of 3:1. Moreover, on the container itself where the material is located, there is a special line at the level of which the hardener should be poured.

After this, the jar is tightly closed and shaken thoroughly for several minutes. There are hardeners with different drying intervals. Thanks to this, you can regulate the drying time of the painted surface.

To reduce the surface structure, it is recommended to add S-2040 solvent to the mixture of paint and hardener in a ratio of 10:1.

Coating

After the mixture is ready for use, put a gun on the jar. The sprayer itself is connected to the compressor via a special hose. This is how painting is done.

There are some tips for applying paint:

It is better to start painting from the roof of the body.
Movements should not be sudden; it is necessary to ensure that the layer is applied evenly.
The distance from the surface to the sprayer should be 40-50 cm.
The time to dry the first layer is about an hour, provided that the air temperature is 20°C.

It should be noted that applying a thicker layer leads to a decrease in the strength and resistance of the coating to mechanical damage.

After the second layer of the substance is applied, it will take about a week for the paint to dry completely. But this does not mean that the car cannot be used. You can use it within 12 hours after completion of the work, but make sure that no load is placed on the surface.

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

Price

Raptor paint for cars is supplied by the manufacturer in the following set:

Important! The Raptor is available in only two basic colors - white and black. To obtain the desired color, buy white paint and dilute it to the required shade.

The price of such a kit: about 6,000 rubles.

With the kit, you can purchase a sprayer that screws directly onto the cylinders, then its cost will increase by about another 2,000 rubles.

This is enough to cover ten square meters of flat surface with one layer. To cover the entire car, you will need from 10 to 15 liters of the finished composition. Total: 3-4 sets.

The total is from 18,000 to 24,000, without a sprayer and without the services of a car painter. If you decide to take the car to a workshop for painting, then to this amount you will have to add another 10,000 - 20,000 rubles for the work of a specialist.

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

like rotting under a raptor. — Community “Protective Body Treatment” on DRIVE2

Well, it’s still necessary to be negative, otherwise people believe so much in the inscriptions on the booklets... let’s talk about how the car rots under the raptor) in my opinion/some experience, even better than from under the gloss.

2 years ago, when painting it green, I cleaned this place with special diligence with a brush on an angle grinder, sprayed it with a converter, and it began to rot through the raptor in just a couple of months.

It so happened that a year later I painted the car again, stripping everything down to bare metal, remembering the rust in this place, all 3 months I poured the converter into it, periodically nibbled it with a grinder, doused it generously with the branded Upolov primer and poured a good layer of raptor, from the heart.

And then a year and 1 month passed, on the right side I noticed that there was just a huge piece peeled off from the bottom edge. picked it out... well, until it stopped peeling off.

further…

If there is enough inspiration, the next post will be about how the raptor chips at the joints, at the bottom of the sills, etc., and if inspiration really strikes, there will be a post about the raptor in the arches, the bottom and on the floor, it’s generally sad

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.

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.

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.