Raptor Liner Thread

So I just got off the phone with the technical rep of Raptor Liner and figured I'd share the knowledge he just dropped on me.

Raptor Liner is urethane based so it won't really ever fade (fade rates similar to auto paint and clear coat). The guy I spoke to has had it in his bed for 7 years and he says it still looks brand new.

It is highly flexible so it won't crack, even if you dent the body that is coated.

If you follow these steps and get good mechanical adhesion, then the application of Raptor Liner is fool proof.

I am only going to do my rocker panels and accompanying body lines so I didn't really get much on doing the bed. If you are going to do the bed, he recommended starting in the corners, where there are 90 degree angles and getting a nice coat in there first.

For the rocker panels:

Air compressor needs to be 8 cfm @ 50-60 psi.

Mask your truck appropriately.

1. Prep the body/paint with solventborne wax/grease remover. Do not use paint thinner or acetone. It comes in an aerosol can. Liberally spray the wax/grease remover on body paint. Take a clean cloth and wipe down really well. Take another clean cloth and clean up any all residue and dirt. If need be, take a third clean cloth and finish it up.

2. Sand the body/paint with 150 grit sand paper. He said you could use a maroon scuff pad but you won't get the same kind of bite needed for optimal mechanical adhesion. When all said and done, the paint should look very dull and all scratched up.

3. Repeat step 1.

4. Follow instructions on mixing base and hardener. Spray the Raptor Liner. You can control the texture by how far away the applicator gun is from the surface and how high the psi is. For a finer texture/finish hold the gun farther away and use higher psi. The way Raptor Liner is works is if your first coat is too textured, fear not, you can always spray a finer coat on top and the rougher texture is covered entirely. It is recommended that you spray 2-3 coats. If you are satisfied with how it looks after 2 coats, you can stop.

5. Take off masking tape 10-15 minutes after final coat is sprayed.


I asked him about my fiberglass fender flares (98-00). He said that Raptor Liner will adhere to anything provided good mechanical adhesion.

He recommended using Grip #4 adhesion promoter

$22 U-POL Grip#4 Universal Adhesion Promoter, Automotive Spray Paint, Durable & Long-Lasting, Easy-to-Use, Clear, 12 OZ

http://www.amazon.com/U-Pol-U-POL-Un.../dp/B00397POFC for fiberglass as the material tends to expand and contract. He said if you want you can use Grip #4 on the bed, body, etc also but it isn't necessary.

For the fiberglass flares he recommended: clean (step 1), sand (step 2), clean again (step 1), spray Grip #4 and let dry completely (usually 15 minutes), spray Raptor Liner (step 4).


Hope that helps.

 

I'm assuming you can achieve a more "gritty/textured" look if you choose the spray-on over the roll-on?

 

Raptor Liner is great. I used it on my trailer project and it has been great! Definitely the best DIY bed liner product out there.

My suggestion, is MASK EVERYTHING. There is a crazy amount of overspray when using a Schutz gun (recommended gun for the raptor liner). If you don't want liner on it, mask it. Consider yourself warned. That includes your driveway, garage whatever.

 

im looking to doing my rocker panels as well be sure to keep this thread updated with pics and more info thanks for all the tips and tricks so far cant wait to see how it comes out.

 

I do not know the variances between the two.

The tech rep I spoke to said:

Lower psi and shorter distance between gun and surface = coarser/more pronounced texture
Higher psi and greater distance between gun and surface= finer/less pronounced texture

This is of course air compressor dependent as some move more volumes of air than others. He said a rough approximation is to use 30-35 psi for a finer texture.

He also said, which surprised me, that a finer texture will give you better traction in, for example, a wet bed.

 

Is the Schutz gun what comes with the kit you can buy online?

 

more textured look should come from the roller and a smoother look should come from a spray gun. depending on spray gun settings i assume.

 

ive used raptor liner myself in the past on my old truck beds. this truly is a great product.

 

another question, would you let it dry in between coats or quickly apply coats then remove masking tape to get the cleanest possible lines for the rocker panels?

 

If you get a kit like this with a gun, then yes this is a Schutz gun. No adjustment or settings on this type of gun.

 

that kit runs for about $125 to $150 fyi

 

The amount of elapsed time between coats is detailed in the instructions (I don't have them or else I'd provide that info to you).

But the tech rep said to remove the masking tape about 15 minutes after the last coat to ensure clean lines (and so the product doesn't harden on the masking tape)

On the website it says it's dry to the touch in about an hour, ready for light duty use in 2-3 days, regular/heavy duty use in 5-7 days. Pretty sure that's in regards to it as a bed liner. For rocker panels I have no idea. Since my Tacoma is my only ride and my daily driver I'm pretty much going to be putting it to the test right away.

 

That is the kit I was looking at.

Thanks Adam.

$121 shipped to your door:

http://www.tptools.com/p/2600,233_U-Pol-Raptor-Spray-On-Truck-Bed-Liner-Kit.html

 

take Friday off paint Thursday night don't drive till Monday good to go!

 

Thats not that much really, I was thinking it was more. I'm going to get this now for sure. Hell I could use the gun and start doing other peoples for some $$$$

 

I have 100% custody of my school-aged daughter.

It's not that easy

 

that does make the situation more complex...GL!!

 

Hey Madjik...Do they give some sort of idea for coverage? I'd like to do my bed, and I seem to remember (with another product) I needed like a kit and a half to finish

 

In that link I provided above it claims this:

Kit Includes: Four 750 ml (25 oz) bottles of bed liner base, 1 liter of hardener, application spray gun (requires 8 cfm @ 50-60 psi compressed air), and instructions. One kit will cover up to a standard 8 ft truck bed or 125 square feet. Total kit makes 1.06 US gallons. Ship wt: 13 lbs.


I assume that is on a 2-3 coat basis.


The thing I like about this product is that it is tintable to any color you want. So if you want to color match your truck, just get urethane base coat of your truck's color.



You can google some killer projects out there where the whole truck is Raptor Lined

 

Thanks! Gonna hafta get this done while it's still painting weather