Frequently Answered Questions
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PREPARATION
There are a large number of sealants on the market, of various different types and technologies. The only sealant recommended unreservedly for use with RAPTOR is U-POL Tigerseal, which has been thoroughly tested for compatibility in our laboratories.
When using any sealant you need to check the overcoat window on the sealant TDS before use to avoid potential adhesion issues later. For Tigerseal if not overpainted within 1 day; for best results abrade it with gray scotch and degrease and tack off before application of the RAPTOR.
When applying RAPTOR over Tigerseal, we do not recommend any adhesion promoter (eg. ACID#8 or GRIP#4) as this causes worse adhesion rather than better when used over this sealant. Likewise, we do not recommend the use of an epoxy primer between Tigerseal and RAPTOR.
With aged sealants (ie. those already on a vehicle, rather than one being freshly applied as part of this painting process) we would recommend to remove the sealant and reseal using Tigerseal, as aged sealant can be very unpredictable on how well it accepts paint.
Given the large number of different sealants on the market, we cannot guarantee success of RAPTOR painted over a different sealant. If a customer wants to use another sealant or does not wish to remove a sealant already present, we recommend the following protocol is trialled over a small area;
- If using a different sealant to Tigerseal, paint over with RAPTOR as early as TDS allows (preferably within 1 hour), it should be noted that full adhesion may not develop with some sealants for some time after painting with RAPTOR.
- If painting over a different sealant that has aged, abrade the sealant with gray scotch, degrease and tack off before applying Tigerseal over the top, then apply the RAPTOR as soon as the Tigerseal has skinned (30 mins – 1 hour). This process is known to work with many sealants, but some failures have been reported when following it and removal of the aged sealant would always be our recommended method.
Our recommendation for best results is always to use Tigerseal in conjunction with RAPTOR and use of all other sealants is subject to the customer’s own testing and experience.
RAPTOR is a water tight coating once fully cured and can be used for many marine applications. Let RAPTOR cure completely for approximately 72 hours before immersing in water.
RAPTOR will also hide a multitude of problems, like crazing, pitting and scratches. Sand the crazed gel coat with 100-120 grit sandpaper before applying RAPTOR over areas, including below the water line. RAPTOR will perform below the water line for exterior protection but not as a water sealant. First, repair the damaged gel coat with FIBRAL (UP0717), FIBRAL LITE (UP0700), or SMC bonding filler (UPO777 or UPO779) to seal the surface.
U-POL has not tested RAPTOR on rubber; however many flexible vehicle parts are actually plastics, like TPO, EDPM or PP.
Ferrous chloride is a salt and will readily absorb moisture. Most coatings over salts may suffer from early blistering and/or corrosion of the substrate. It is not recommended that RAPTOR be used in this situation. Strip away the ferrous chloride either chemically or mechanically, and then degrease the substrate. Clean the surface before applying RAPTOR.
Clean the surface with wax and grease remover and lightly sand with 180 grit sandpaper before applying RAPTOR.
Follow the epoxy primer manufacturer’s recommendations for top coating. Generally, after primer is dry / cured, sand surface with 280-360) grit sandpaper, or whatever grit recommended by the manufacturer for top coat application, blow off, and re-clean if necessary before applying RAPTOR.
Clean the surface with wax and grease remover and scuff the surface with red / maroon scuff pad. Re-clean the surface before applying RAPTOR.
Yes, it can be applied to both solvent and water borne base coat. Follow basecoat manufacturer’s drying times prior to over coating.
Scuff the surface with 100-120 grit sand paper and degreased before applying RAPTOR. An adhesion promoter, like RAPTOR Adhesion Promoter (UP5024) can be used in hard to reach areas and for optimum adhesion.
As long as the concrete is clean, dry, and free of oil you can apply RAPTOR directly to concrete. If concrete is sealed, a rotary floor sander can be used to abrade surface. Any petroleum based surface contaminates should first be cleaned with a suitable cleaning solution to neutralize the contamination.
Blow off the surface to remove dust. Light sanding is “OK” but generally RAPTOR can be directly applied to wood and plywood substrates.
If the wood has been pre-treated or painted, clean the wood of any contaminates. If cleaned with water, allow to dry first. Lightly sand any painted areas. Once dry, apply RAPTOR.
RAPTOR can be used on most plastic without much preparation. Scuff the plastic with 180-240 grit sand paper or red scotch and then apply an adhesion promoter, like RAPTOR Adhesion Promoter (UP5024). Wait about 20 minutes before applying RAPTOR.
Reasonably good results can be obtained if one of the following is used, but note that chrome is not an “”approved”” substrate:
Good – Grill – Sand the surface as well as possible, apply two coats of RAPTOR Adhesion Promoter (UP5024), allow to dry then apply RAPTOR.
Best – Bumper and Grill – Sand the surface as well as possible, apply epoxy primer (following primers guidelines), then apply RAPTOR.
Another option could be to sand and apply 2 coats of RAPTOR Acid Etch Primer (UP5023) and then apply RAPTOR. Note that this has not been fully tested, so test in an inconspicuous spot first.
Clean the aluminum with a wax and grease remover and sand with P180 grit sandpaper. Apply one to two coats of RAPTOR Acid Etch Primer (UP5023) and use RAPTOR Adhesion Promoter (UP5024) for hard to reach areas. Allow to dry 20 minutes before applying RAPTOR.
Scuff surface with 80-180 grit sandpaper and apply 1-2 coats of RAPTOR Acid Etch Primer (UP5023). Allow to dry for 15-20 minutes before applying RAPTOR. If RAPTOR Acid Etch Primer is not available, any 2K DTM or Epoxy Primer can be used to prime bare metal (follow top coat directions for primer).
Clean and dry the surface. Fill any blemishes with a polyester filler and finish in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Sand stainless steel with 120-180 grit paper. Wipe down with panel wipe (U-POL SYSTEM 2000, 2001, 2002) followed by a tack cloth.
RAPTOR has only been tested on stainless steel type EN-Standard X6Cr17, SAE grade 430, UNS S43000. For other grades please test a small area first.
Yes, RAPTOR can be applied to both steel and alloy wheels. The preparation is the same as the truck bed application: sand with 80-180 grit, use RAPTOR Acid Etch Primer (UP5023) or epoxy primer over exposed bare metal, and apply.
The durability of RAPTOR is strongly linked to its high film build. By adding reducer the film build will decrease and therefore some of its durability characteristics will decrease, although only slightly.
APPLICATION
As long as the light colored application of RAPTOR is sprayed to full opacity, then the dark tone of the epoxy primer will not be an issue. You may see a slight off color after the first coat of RAPTOR, but this will disappear after the second coat is applied. This is true even with White RAPTOR.
Use a coarse textured foam roller (such as one used for heavy textured coatings) for the best finish, but other types of rollers can be used depending on the final texture desired.
Depending on the texture desired, once reduced, RAPTOR can generally be applied with a nozzle set from about a 1.4 up to a 2.0. Once it is reduced to the 20% (or slightly more) it is possible to spray it through a smaller nozzle set (1.2 – 1.3) however, the film build will be pretty thin and it may not have the same chip resistance that it does when applied with a larger nozzle set. In reality, it all depends on the look, finish and texture that you want to achieve.
A 6 HP compressor that generates 150 PSI line pressure should provide sufficient air supply, but is dependent on the application equipment / gun (Shultz type or gravity feed HVLP) used to apply the RAPTOR.
Typically, 45-60 PSI is recommended. Higher or lower PSI can also be used, but it’s recommended you spray a test panel first to make sure the texture is what you’re looking for.
One RAPTOR 4-Bottle kit covers approx. 85 sq feet to our recommended 18 mil film build (21 sq feet / bottle).
Typical coverage per liter is 38 ft2 (3.5m2) per 2 coats. This is when using a coarse roller.
Cured RAPTOR can easily be touched up. Just clean the surface, sand and featheredge a few inches into the surrounding area, re-clean, and mix and apply as usual. No need to prime again unless you sand down to bare metal. Remember, if it’s been more than 5 hours since the last coat of RAPTOR has been applied, allow RAPTOR to cure for 24 hours, then lightly scuff and apply additional coat(s).
The best temperature to apply RAPTOR is between 60-70°F. It is not recommended for application below 40°F. When RAPTOR is applied at the lower temperatures, the dry and cure time is significantly extended.
Automotive products are generally easier to remove when they are fresh and haven’t fully cured. For paint products the best way to remove is with 2K reducers but there are some things to consider. If you are trying to remove paint overspray from fresh paint or TPA / 1K coatings and some plastics, this method will not work due to solvent attack. We strongly recommend if using this method you try a small amount in an inconspicuous area to ensure there is no damage caused to the coating beneath by using this option. If the coating does mark or soften, a milder solvent like a degreaser may be tried, with the same method. Another option would be to use a coarse compound polish and cloth or mechanical polisher to remove .You will need to be conscious of not burning through the coating you are trying to remove the contamination from.
The average MIL thickness for RAPTOR is 7-10 MIL per coat. Applying 2 medium coats of RAPTOR is recommended. MIL build is – 1 Coat: 230μ (9.0 MILs) 2 Coats: 475μ (18.7 MILs). Measurements are approximate and are dependent on the application method.
The recommended RAPTOR application is 2-3 coats with a 60 minute flash time between coats. If further build is needed, it is recommended to carry this out in several applications. For instance, apply the first 2-3 coats, bake or allow 24-hours to dry and then apply another 2-3 coats, etc. The key is to allow as much solvent to evaporate from each layer before adding subsequent layers. If the process is carried out too fast, RAPTOR may remain soft and take longer to fully cure.
RAPTOR can generally be re-coated after 24 hours. Scuff it with a red scuff pad, clean with wax and grease remover, apply the next coat of RAPTOR.
Do not allow RAPTOR to come in contact with water for at least 72 hours. If RAPTOR does come in contact with water within the first 72 hours, to fix:
- Make sure the surface is fully dry
- Abrade the surface using UP0410 or similar
- Clean with Degreaser
- Mask areas that does not require application
- Blow with compressed air
- Tack cloth area
- Re-apply
Wait between 60-90 minutes after applying your final coat of RAPTOR before removing the tape.
For cleaning overspray, the quicker you remove it the easier it will be.
2k thinners will remove light overspray. Do not uses thinners to remove RAPTOR from TPA/ 1K coatings as it will soften the coating.
A coarse compound and mechanical polisher would also remove light overspray from OEM paint work but care must be taken not to burn through the coating underneath.
For RAPTOR overspray over RAPTOR, this will be more difficult to remove. For best result, abrade the area and re-coat.
Overspray on glass can be removed with a glass blade or Stanley blade when wearing the correct PPE.
Applying RAPTOR with a roller will produce very good textures. Care must be taken when applying with a roller because softness will occur if RAPTOR is applied too thickly. Make sure that a medium coat is applied with the roller so that the RAPTOR can cure and harden so scratch resistance will still be maintained.
The air sucked through a compressor can be quite damp and if you are painting in a humid area this can have a negative effect on the performance of the paint. Most compressors that can reach a suitable pressure will have an internal filter that takes out water from the inlet air. If humidity is high then this is critical, whilst if it is low then it is less important. As best practice and to avoid the risk we always recommend use of a compressor with a water filter.
Yes, RAPTOR can be used for both.
Yes, Raptor can be baked for 30 minutes at 140°F. Baking will speed up the initial drying but not the through cure. It is still recommended waiting 7 days for heavy duty use and 72 hours before exposure to water.
POR-15 is not manufactured by U-POL, and we have not done compatibility testing between RAPTOR and POR-15, but we can share anecdotal experience. Most likely, there shouldn’t be any issue as long as you sand with 180 – 220 for mechanical adhesion prior to application of the RAPTOR.
RAPTOR is a coating made to last, so it is difficult to remove once cured. Once RAPTOR is cured, remove by sanding it off with P80 grit sandpaper either down to the original substrate or to bare metal. Then, respray the surface with another coating, like OEM paint colors (required).
MIX RATIO
A. Volume – 3 parts RAPTOR – 1 part hardener – up to 10% color.
By weight
B. 100g RAPTOR – 30g hardener – up to 10g tint (3.5 oz RAPTOR – 1 oz hardener – up to 0.35 oz tint).
Refer to online TDS sheet for additional quantities.
C. 28 oz. RAPTOR (1 bottle) – 8.4 oz hardener – 3 oz tint.
Yes, RAPTOR can be reduced up to 20%. When reducing RAPTOR, use a urethane based reducer.
TINTING RAPTOR
Visit your local automotive paint (PBE) supply store, and they can help you color match. RAPTOR is compatible with any solvent based color, including 2K acrylic solid color and mixed acrylic basecoats, and can be added up to 10% by volume (ask your paint supplier to leave out the binders if possible for best pigment density). NOTE: Acrylic basecoat toners tend to have high color strength so use sparingly (less than 10% tint by volume). RAPTOR cannot be used with water based, polyester, or enamel paints.
If the colors are quite close to each other, reapply with the RAPTOR tinted to the correct shade. Please note that, if RAPTOR should chip under extreme duty conditions, the underlying colors it will show through. If the colors are not close, it will be necessary to sand and re-apply.
For best color match results, tintable RAPTOR requires a solvent color. Various paint lines may have stronger or weaker toners so final color may vary. Ask your paint supplier to leave any binder or balancer out of the formulation if possible so it is pure pigment.
Metallic toners can be used however, you may experience “metallic burying” and the RAPTOR may not have the exact look that you are attempting to match. Our suggestion is to conduct a test spray-out before committing to the whole project.
Yes, tint can be added to the black or white kits as well. If you’re looking to match a color code, it may be hard to do this way. Suggested that you conduct a test spray out to determine if the color and look is acceptable prior to general application.
Yes, RAPTOR has been designed to be tinted with standard solvent-borne base coats.
FINISH
RAPTOR dries as a hard satin gloss finish. It won’t attract dirt and is easy to clean.
White RAPTOR is General Motors Summit White Color Code: 8624, commonly referred to as “Olympic” or “Fleet” White.
On its own, RAPTOR is not skid resistant, or non-slip. For a non-skid surface on walkways, mix RAPTOR Slip-Resistant Additive (UP4800) into to the final coat before applying.
Raptor can be overpainted with Raptor and most modern paint systems. When overpainting prepare the surface as follows; Raptor should be allowed to dry for 24-hours. Abrade with a fine abrasive pad to create a matte surface. Clean and degrease. The surface is ready to paint.
Most paint manufacturers provide proprietary matting agents that are used in other 2K products, and these are suitable for use in RAPTOR. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Please note this may reduce RAPTOR’s flexibility.
There are two ways to get a smoother finish. 1). Turn up the PSI on the gun. 2). Add reducer as per the TDS instructions. For instance, you could use an HVLP gravity fed gun with a 1.6-2.0mm nozzle setup. Add 15% urethane reducer when mixing RAPTOR. Set your gun at 29 PSI. At a distance of about 1/2 a foot, spray the first coat as an even wet coat. After flashing, reduce the pressure and material flow to achieve a fine mist for the second coat.
RAPTOR can be topcoated, but generally, it’s not needed. RAPTOR dries to a semi-gloss/eggshell finish, which most people find to be plenty of gloss. Clearcoats do not have the same level of durability as RAPTOR and are more likely to chip under heavy duty use. Lightly abrade fully cured RAPTOR with a gray scuff pad. U-POL 2K clearcoats, like UP2882 and UP2872V, use the same resin system as RAPTOR so U-POL clearcoats will give the best results.
Mix RAPTOR Slip-Resistant Additive (UP4800) into the final coat before applying for a textured grip finish. RAPTOR Slip-Resistant Additive will only work through a standard application gun.
TECHNICAL PROPERTIES AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
The typical Shore D Hardness Value for fully cured RAPTOR of 85.
212°F. At sustained temps above 212°F, some softening could occur.
Activated RAPTOR Black and Tintable are NOT isocyanate free because the hardener used does contain isocyanates.
RAPTOR is a thick urethane coating and does not contain any rubber. The texture is controlled and created by the application. Lower air pressure gives a rougher texture, while higher air pressure gives a thick orange peel effect. Unlike most of the other DIY bed liners out there, RAPTOR is 2-part urethane product, which gives great UV stability and impact resistant without the use of additives like rubber.
RAPTOR is not an insulator. Some installers will apply RAPTOR on the exterior in White to deflect heat (simply because of colour). The temperature resistance of RAPTOR is -0.4°F to 212°F, so it’s not recommended for application anywhere there could be excessive heat, like the motor or exhaust.
We have had some users apply RAPTOR as a sound dampener with success, but it has not been tested by U-POL.
RAPTOR can withstand some exposure to gasoline. If the area will be submerged in gasoline, RAPTOR should not be used, as there may be some surface softening from prolonged exposure.
OTHER
The shelf life of an unopened RAPTOR kit is 2 years from the date of manufacture.
Each US state has adopted its own regulatory limits for the amount of volatile chemicals allowed to be released by paints and coatings. National Rule meets the requirements for most of the USA. 2.6 VOC meets the regulations for a majority of what are called “”Low VOC Areas””, like Maryland, Delaware, Utah, and a majority of California. 1.7 VOC meets the regulations for the strictest VOC regulations, like in Sacramento County California.
Another way to put it is UP0820 is standard RAPTOR. UP0820V is a more environmentally friendly formula, and the UP0825 is the most environmentally friendly. Keep in mind that U-POL has worked tediously to ensure that you do not notice a difference in application, technical properties, and most importantly, performance among the three formulas a RAPTOR.
If you have further questions about which formula to use, check with your local or state regulatory office for their regulatory limits on VOCs or volatile chemicals in automotive paint products and coatings.
There are a variety of solvents that are suitable for Raptor cleanup and flushing of application equipment – acetone, lacquer thinner, MEK – the same solvents that are used for cleanup and removal of automotive urethane paints. Mineral Spirits or isopropyl alcohol are not suitable solvents for cleaning Raptor.
The life of RAPTOR once applied can depend on application method, film build, quality of preparation and substrate. We have tested RAPTOR against other products in the market and have laboratory test data which proves better performance. When applied correctly, RAPTOR will last for years and is very easy to repair if necessary. It has excellent U.V. stability and will not fade. The RAPTOR Land Rover we have done in the UK was painted in 2015 and has travelled all over the UK on the road. It still looks as good as the day it was painted, with no defects.
A RAPTOR Kit has a full 4 Bottles of sprayable product, where most competitors only provide around 2L of product in a kit. The RAPTOR Kit is designed so that one kit will cover an average truck bed.
