Raptor car cover
Content
Do you want your car not to be afraid of external impact on the paintwork for a long time? Many consumers turn to U pol Raptor coating to protect their vehicles. But what is it? And what results can you get? We will carefully study this popular product to find out if it is worth trusting your car or is it just another promoted product on the market that does not give results.
What is Raptor Coating
Raptor Coating is a vehicle refinish that is different from conventional paint. The price may vary depending on your location, there are 2 price orders on the official website:
- 1850 rubles for a set containing 1 liter of black coating;
- 5250 rubles for a set that contains 4 liters and can be tinted.
Once applied to the bodywork, the compound dries to form a super-hard coating that can protect bare metal from scratches and the inevitable rust. What separates the Raptor from competing products is the looks.
The coating has a pronounced shagreen grain, contains disseminated particles that create shine. You can see what the coating looks like in the photo below.
Why cover the body of a car with a Raptor?
The Raptor coating was originally created as a simple way to protect the body of an SUV from stones, tree branches and other obstacles that somehow harm the paintwork. Today, the Raptor line is used in all types of industries from automotive restoration, SUVs, marine, agricultural and even heavy equipment.
How the Raptor U-Pol protects the car
At a basic level, a raptor serves to protect the metal of your vehicle. The coating is thick enough, and although it seems hard to the touch, it nevertheless has the ability to dissipate pressure. Let's say, for example, that you drop any heavy object on the hood of your car. If it was a regular paintwork, it would most likely get a dent. This is because a lot of pressure is applied to a very small area. But when the same force is applied to your newly applied protective coating, it flexes enough to dissipate pressure and prevent denting.
But there are a few more key reasons why motorists use the Raptor coating. It is UV resistant so it won't fade like paint.
What is required for painting with a Raptor
The Raptor comes in a kit that includes, for the most part, everything you need, which is:
- 3-4 bottles of 0,75 each paint of a certain color (black is most often used, but there are also options for tinting);
- 1 bottle of 1 liter with hardener;
- most often, a special coating gun is already included in the kit.
Notethat the manufacturer advises using larger compressors for spraying.
The reason you need a more efficient compressor is because a certain air pressure is required to reach the desired level. If you take a typical low volume compressor, you will spend a lot of time waiting for the compressor to build up pressure and this can double the time it takes to spray. This happens very quickly, so it's worth spending the money to rent a larger compressor for a couple of days while you finish painting.
Step 1: surface preparation
A rough surface is required for the coating to adhere. You will have to use the 3M sandpaper included. The whole process took about two hours for a standard vehicle.
Remember to remove all dust from the body with a damp cloth and dry it with a microfiber cloth or towel before applying (make sure it is firm and free of marks!).
Step 2: Application
As for the spraying itself, it is very simple. You fire the sprayer aimed at the car, then slowly move your hand over the area so that it can be covered in a smooth motion. If you've ever painted or tinted a car yourself, then it will be much easier for you. This video gives a good example of a proper spray technique:
Even after painting in two layers, we recommend that you call another person to take a look at the work and assess the absence of defects or missing areas, as well as change the lighting to natural if the painting took place in the garage (problem areas are better visible in natural light).
Safety advice!
Be sure to use a high-quality respirator that fits snugly to your face and does not allow air to pass directly through the cracks, since the composition contains harmful substances (in fact, it is not desirable to breathe paint, so is a raptor too).
