Raptor liner question

Thanks for any little advice in advance! Just snatched up an A.R.E. shell from a fellow TW member. I was so excited to have found one with the roof rack already installed on it, but obviously there is a little bit of a mismatched color scheme going on. I have thought of raptor lining the shell and also the fender flares. (So tired of putting a heat gun to them monthly). I’m curious as to if anyone has raptor lined their fenders as a diy project.

As far as prep work goes, is there anything necessary to do specifically on the fender flares to ensure a lasting end product?


I’m going to sand down the shell obviously but just curious as to if there are any tips for the flares before I do it! Thanks!

 

Thought you’d never ask

 

I just sanded, cleaned, raptor adhesion, raptor liner.

 

Sweet man looks awesome. That’s what I’m going for. So I’m guessing the raptor adhesion comes with the kit? I was just really worried about it’s ability to adhere to plastic but it’s great to know that it’s working out for you!

 

I don’t think the adhesion came with the kit but yes it’s held up very well so far.

 

For the painted stuff, you really only need to scuff/sand just enough for something the liner can grab onto. Degrease and go to town. If anything goes through to the fiberglass I would primer in those areas. For plastic, scuff with a red scuff pad, degrease, then use adhesion promoter. Brand doesn't matter. I used SEM because that's what was in the cabinet. It is not included in the kits. If you have any plans to use the Raptor Liner spray cans, just skip it. The texture comes out a little different. Learned that the hard way.

For the included spray gun: I used 40 psi and do not try to spray upside down or tip the bottle where it would run out. It will run out of the sprayer.

So far, I've done my entire front end and am getting around to the rest of the truck. All of it has been outside on a gravel driveway. I'm very happy so far with how everything has come out.

 

Sweet. That’s good to know. I’m hoping to get to it next week. Thanks for the info

 

That looks fantastic. Mine are all chipped up but those pics convinced me to shoot them this spring. Ive probably got enough left over from spraying my bed too.

 

This goes back to 2012 (FFS time flies). So I don’t know if Raptor Liner updated their recommendations:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/raptor-liner-thread.236731/

 

you daily driving this in between painting sessions?

 

I was. I inherited another vehicle recently and the Tacoma has been resting.

 

Yep, tons of people have done just that, as you've seen above. Several years ago, I did my flairs in plastidip. Went from color matched to black. Turned out to look pretty good for a while, but it's definitely showing its age now.


There are others who've raptor lined the entire truck. I'm contemplating doing just that. The clear coat on my Taco is pealing pretty bad in spots, and a raptor job is FAR cheaper than getting it repainted. Since it's a trail truck, a DIY raptor job will be far more durable, and it's not like I'm taking it to any of those shows where they put mirrors on the ground lol...

The plan is to keep the same color scheme, black flairs on red with the raptor. If you keep the same body colors, you don't have to worry about inside the door sills etc...

 

1. Sand with 120-180 grit
2a. Non-plastic use Raptor primer:

RAPTOR 4:1 Anti-Corrosive Epoxy Primer Kit UP4831 Gray 1L, 2 Piece Set

https://www.amazon.com/U-POL-4831-Raptor-Anti-Corrosive-Primer/dp/B074HTD81W
2b. Plastic, use this stuff:

$50 Custom Coat Adhesion Promoter - 12 Ounce Spray Can - Use on Hard to Sand Areas and Before applying Truck Bed Liner (Pack of 3)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Q7ZFMHK/
3. Spray Raptor

Do it right or do it twice.

I did my whole truck about a year ago, and I did it right.

 

This stuff seems pretty bad ass. Glad I found this discussion because know I know exactly what I'm painting my Taco with! Since taking the bed off I've been thinking about treating and coating the frame with something just for peace of mind and added longevity. Would this raptor liner stuff be suitable for protecting the frame as well? Or are there other products that are better for the frame?

 

Use something like POR15. Using this you run the risk of trapping moisture underneath and making things worse.

 

Those pictures are about a year after I did the job too and still looks new. Just be sure to remove the rubber lining that separates the fender from the truck body and get some new ones.

 

Thank you! I'll look into it

 

Well there’s been a little change of plans on the shell. Ended up stumbling across a literal A.R.E. graveyard about 5 miles from the house. It’s a yard owned by an older gentlemen whose father owned an ARE dealer before passing away so there are around 200 caps that are just sitting in this man’s yard. I was able to get a black top for $100 completely intact! Then I realized after buying it that there was a imperial jade green top WITH a roof rack so I snatched that up for $100 also! Still in shock to be quite honest. They need a little tlc, really just green mold on the outside and to clean the carpeting but hoping to put the green top on after vacation, then salvage some parts off the red and black one. These tops are discontinued so dang near impossible to get parts for them.

 

Where is this place?

 

Does anyone have experience with white bedliner? I was thinking of eventually doing a color match to the natural white of my taco, but was unsure if white bedliner would yellow/fade or collect dirt. Haven't seen any white bedlined trucks in real life, and seems to be an unpopular option.