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
Conclusion
Raptor is an excellent solution not only for off-road enthusiasts, but also for car owners of all categories. The Raptor coating protects the car body from aggressive environmental influences, this is especially true for regions with sudden temperature changes, and from mechanical damage. You can also use Raptor to restore the body from corrosion. Painting with Raptor paint saves money and keeps the car body in excellent condition for many years.
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The size of the shagreen patch depends on factors such as the size of the nozzle of the paint gun, the distance from the body to the gun at the time of painting, as well as the speed of application (moving the paint gun relative to the surface to be painted).
For example: at a pressure of 3.5 Bar Distance 30-40 cm – light layer, fine shagreen Distance 50-60 cm – medium layer, medium shagreen Distance 50-60 cm – heavy layer, coarse shagreen
In addition, shagreen can be adjusted by adding proprietary thinner UPOL 2041, however, it should be understood that the more thinner in the applied composition, the less durable the coating we end up with.
Below are photos of several paint options with different shagreen paint on the Raptor:
First row: anti-gravel gun, without thinner (coarse rough shagreen) Second row: anti-gravel gun and 10% thinner (coarse smoothed shagreen) Third row: spray gun with 1.7 nozzle and 20% thinner (fine smoothed shagreen) Fourth row: spray gun with nozzle 1.3 and 30% thinner (even finer shagreen)
It is also possible to apply the composition with a spray gun with a 2.5 nozzle without using a thinner, and the shagreen will be almost the same as in row 3, but the strength of the coating will be slightly higher.
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
Reviews about the application
Eugene:
Rust has started to appear on the UAZ. Friends advised me to buy Raptor. I first prepared the surface for painting, and then did everything according to the instructions. I've been traveling for several months now. I am completely satisfied with the result. I forgot about the rust already.
Sergey 31 years old, Niva car:
The car was serviced a year ago. I didn’t believe in the result myself, but I was pleasantly surprised. No questions during the entire ride. There aren't even scratches!
Vyacheslav, 56 years old, Nissan Pathfinder:
My review will be negative. Expensive and ineffective. A few weeks later the rust came back. Not the result I expected. It's a pity for my time. I don't recommend it.
Dmitry 22 years old, UAZ:
I accidentally scratched my car. Something had to be done. A painter I know recommended using raptor. I did everything: cleaned and painted. So far it's holding up, so far so good. Let's see what happens next.
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
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.
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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.
Dosage of the product
The retail chain sells it in special packaging. It contains four bottles with the main substance. The volume of a separate one is 0.75 liters. There is also a one liter bottle of hardener. The kit contains an anti-gravel gun, specially prepared for working with raptors. All containers and the gun fit together. The sets come in black and dull whitish. The latter is easy to tint in different shades. The instructions have a detailed description and tips for use. This product is certified, the quality certificate and positive reviews confirm this.
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:
- Canister with hardener 1 liter - 1 pc.
- Cylinders with paint, capacity 1 liter - 4 pcs.
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
Preparatory stage
Before applying a protective coating, you need to carry out a number of preparatory steps. The final result will depend on how well they are done.
So, the first steps involve removing parts from the car such as wipers, mirrors, and bumpers. Those elements that cannot be unscrewed must be sealed with paper or masking tape. This also applies to car wheels.
Then you need to prepare the surface for applying a protective coating:
- First you need to remove any remaining paint. It is impossible to remove them manually. This can be done using a grinder with fine abrasive.
- Next, using a compressor, you need to blow out the dirt and dust that has formed after removing the paintwork.
- Then you need to treat the surface using a product such as white spirit or anti-silicone.
- If there are defects in the form of chips and small cracks, they should be eliminated using putty.
- As soon as the surface dries, the car needs to be blown off again.
- The final preparatory stage involves applying a metal primer to those parts that will be painted.
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
Painting technique
The instructions advise mixing raptor with hardener in a ratio of 3:1. The paint can is graduated and helps you add the optimal amount correctly. The total volume will be 0.25 kg. The jar is closed and shaken for several minutes. This is necessary for mixing the paint and its hardener. They come with different drying times, this allows you to choose the optimal intensity of surface drying. To reduce the surface texture, the company advises adding up to 10% S-2040 thinner to the container.
After connecting the paint container to the air gun, the initial coat of coating is applied. Work begins from the roof of the car, and with smooth movements. The gun nozzle is placed at a distance of 45 - 55 centimeters from the point of application and it is ensured that the layer does not have overflows. The thicker the layer, the worse the strength. The initial layer requires a temperature of +19 degrees to dry and lasts up to an hour. Then the next layer is applied. After this layer, the paint must polymerize for at least 6 days. But the machine can already be used if there are no large and significant loads on the surface.
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.
