A raptor liner protects surfaces against tough situations, such as damp and extreme temperatures. But does the raptor liner fade or rust? We investigated the topic to provide an answer.
Because a raptor liner is UV resistant, it does not fade. Also, since it is made of urethane, it is resistant to water and oxidation and does not rust.
Please keep reading to learn more about raptor liners. We will also provide a guide on how to prep the truck bed for raptor lining and tackle other relevant queries.
Features Of Raptor Liner
You can put the raptor coating into various auto uses such as a bed liner, an automotive undercoating, and for total body protection. As a liner, these are the characteristics that enable it to keep your vehicle's truck bed in good shape:
It Does Not Fade
While fading does not affect an automobile's operations, its aesthetic value plummets as it loses its shine and vibrance. Fading can cause the car to look older than it is.
Exposure to harsh UV rays causes auto paint to break down. And as oxidation occurs, the paint begins to discolor. But because the raptor is UV resistant, UV rays won't have any effect on it. Therefore, the liner won't fade.
Fading can also occur if you use harsh and abrasive chemicals to clean your truck bed. And sometimes, the items you place on your truck bed can be abrasive and damage the paint.
The Raptor liner is made of urethane, which is abrasion resistant. For this reason, it still holds up well in these unfavorable conditions.
It Does Not Rust
Rust forms when metals such as steel or iron are exposed to moisture and oxygen. Therefore, if your truck bed does not have a cover, its exposure to the elements increases its susceptibility to rusting.
Rusting weakens the truck bed's structural integrity, thus altering its effectiveness since carrying heavy loads becomes a safety hazard. Moreover, it can eat away at the metal the truck bed is made of. Consequently, holes form in the truck bed.
Rusting also destroys your car's aesthetic appearance, making it look aged and damaged.
Due to the severity of the impact of rust on truck beds, automobile manufacturers apply layers of paint to inhibit it.
But generally, the truck bed usage subjects it to harsh conditions that expose it to the possible occurrence of dents, scratches, and other factors that affect the auto paint negatively. So, keeping the truck bed rust-free can be an uphill task.
Coating your truck bed with a raptor liner can protect it from rusting. This protective coating is made of urethane which is water and oxidation resistant.
The coating is also resistant to saltwater, which is a great plus if you live near the ocean. Saltwater can corrode paint. Additionally, it dramatically accelerates rusting.
We know that rusting cannot occur in the absence of moisture and oxidation. It is also critical to note that since the raptor liner does not break down and fade, the coating won't wear out eventually. Therefore, it can keep rusting at bay successfully.
It Does Not Crack
Besides causing fading, harsh UV rays can also cause bed liners to become brittle with time, eventually leading to chipping and cracking. Impacts can also cause the paint to crack.
The raptor liner formulation enables it to withstand impacts without cracking. Therefore, it is a reliable bed liner since the truck bed has high traffic, subjecting it to many forces.
Some other features of the raptor liner include its stain resistance and ease of cleaning. So you do not have to worry if the items you are transporting spill on the truck bed - you only need to hose off the dirt.
Find this raptor bed liner on Amazon.
How To Prepare A Truck Bed For A Raptor Liner
Preparing thoroughly before applying a raptor liner ensures a durable, protective finish for your truck bed that looks good.
It would be best to consider the prevailing temperature conditions before you begin. For optimal results, ensure that the humidity level is less than 60% and that the temperatures are at 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
Consider wearing a paint suit to keep paint off your clothes and keep dirt and other contaminants, such as fibers from your clothes, off your paint job. It is also advisable to wear other protective gear, such as gloves, masks, and goggles.
Here is a guide on how to proceed:
1. Clean And Degrease
Sweep any loose dirt off the truck bed. Next, degrease the surface to remove contaminants, wax, and grease.
Dirt and grease stains can cause defects in the paint job by preventing the paint from adhering correctly to the surface. And cleaning also prevents contaminants from entering the sandpaper and spreading to all parts you sand.
Check out this degreaser concentrate on Amazon.
2. Sand
Sanding makes it easier for the primer and paint to adhere to the surface. It can also remove any rust stains present.
Use 120-180 grit or a nylon cup brush to scuff the truck bed. If the truck bed was previously painted or had a bed liner, it is best to use 220 grit instead. Please note that you may need to vary these sanding guidelines to comply with the bed liner manufacturer's instructions.
Find this sandpaper assortment on Amazon.
If some spots are still shiny after sanding, you can use a red scuff pad to scrap the areas.
See this red scuff pad on Amazon.
3. Clean Again
Use compressed air to eliminate the dust you generate by sanding. You can also perform another round of degreasing using a solvent-based degreaser to ensure you get rid of all the stains and contaminants.
4. Mask Areas That You Don't Want To Paint
Since the raptor coating is made to last, it can be very hard to remove when it cures. So, it is best to protect surfaces from staining rather than attempting to remove the stains once the damage is done.
You can use multi-purpose drop sheets or newspapers to protect the rear windscreen from paint stains. Use masking tape to hold the newspapers in place. Also, ensure that you cover the truck lights to shield them from stains.
Locate the drainage holes in your truck bed and cover them to avoid filling them with paint. The drain holes let the truck bed dry quickly whenever it gets wet. If they become blocked, water can accumulate, which can be chaotic for the truck bed and the goods you are hauling.
These multi-purpose plastic drop cloth sheets can protect surfaces from paint damage. Find them on Amazon.
5. Apply A Primer
It is ideal to use an epoxy primer on bare metal or new panels as it improves the inter-coat performance and prolongs the life of the raptor liner.
But if you are working on a painted metal surface, it is best to use an etch primer that contains phosphoric acid. This primer hinders rusting by creating an anti-corrosion barrier. Additionally, it promotes adhesion on galvanized steel or aluminum.
You can apply one or two layers of the primer, then leave it for a few minutes to dry before applying the final raptor coating.
You can also apply an adhesion promoter on the surfaces you were unable to grind sufficiently - it ensures that the raptor coating sticks well and stays on for a long time. Leave the adhesion promoter for about 20 minutes, then proceed to the next step.
Check out this adhesion promoter on Amazon.
6. Spray The Raptor Liner
Having done the above steps, you have finished the preparatory work. It is time to spray the raptor liner.
You can add an anti-slip additive to your raptor before painting, so you have a non-skid truck bed to avoid skids and falls. To do this:
- Adhere to a 3:1 raptor to additive ratio.
- Measure and pour activated raptor into a container, then add the correct proportion of anti-slip additive and mix thoroughly.
- Pour the mixture into the empty raptor can and attach the spray gun.
- Shake the mixture in the can to keep the additive from settling.
- Apply the mixture to the truck bed. If you want to add an extra coat, allow at least one hour between the coats.
Let the paint dry for 24 hours, then scuff, clean, and apply your desired clearcoat. But you don't have to add the clear coat.
Here is a visual guide to demonstrate the steps:
Adding a raptor liner to your truck bed can be pretty laborious. Moreover, it requires precision to avoid paint wastage, over-layering, or even under-layering. So, if the process feels overwhelming, consider taking your truck to a reputable auto shop for the coating.
How Long Does Raptor Liner Take To Dry?
The raptor liner can feel dry to the touch within an hour, but it is best to let it dry for at least 2-3 days before using your truck for light tasks. And if you require to use your vehicle for heavy usage, let it dry for at least one week.
To Wrap Up
Coating your truck bed with a raptor liner is advisable since it does not rust or fade. Additionally, the raptor liner can withstand impacts without scratching, which helps the paint job stay in good condition for a long time. Therefore, your truck retains its aesthetic value since it keeps its shine and vibrance.
If you would like to fit the raptor liner yourself, we hope the information provided in this post will be a reliable guide. Otherwise, consider taking the truck to an auto shop for professional coating.
Before you go, please consider reading our other posts:
Raptor Liner Vs. Rhino Liner – Which To Choose?
How Much Bed Liner Does It Take To Paint A Truck? [Plus 3 of the Best Liners]