COMPLETE AUSTRALIAN GUIDE
U-POL RAPTOR Protective Coating
Coverage, primers, application, colours and which kit to buy — written for Australian conditions.
Shop Raptor at South East Clearance Centre →|
~3 m² per 1L kit |
~12 m² per 4L kit |
2–3 recommended coats |
60 min flash-off between coats |
7 days full cure time |
What is U-POL RAPTOR?
U-POL RAPTOR is a 2K (two-component) polyurethane protective coating — a base and hardener that chemically cure together to form an exceptionally hard, durable, and flexible film. Unlike single-component paints, this chemical cure means Raptor won't re-soften in heat and delivers a finish far tougher than anything from a rattle can or standard paint job.
It's the market-leading truck bed liner and protective coating globally, trusted across automotive, agricultural, marine, and industrial applications. In Australia it's the go-to solution for 4×4 owners and tradies who need a vehicle that handles stone chips, salt, UV, mud, chemical spills, and everything the Australian environment throws at it.
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💪 Physically tough Resists stone chips, scratches, abrasion and impact. Purpose-built for ute trays and underbody use. |
🌊 Chemical resistant Withstands fuel, hydraulic oils, salt water, animal urine, and mild acids. Waterproof seal. |
☀️ UV & fade resistant High UV resistance ideal for Australian conditions. Tintable version holds colour long-term. |
Coverage Guide
Note: Coverage figures are for 2 coats. Roller application builds lower than spraying — add an extra coat and ~20–30% more product.
Which Kit Do I Need?
Which Primer to Use
Primer selection is the most important decision after surface prep. Wrong primer or skipping it is the number one cause of Raptor adhesion failure.
Pro tip: For underbody work always use the RAPTOR 2K Epoxy Primer on bare metal. It was specifically engineered for use under Raptor and provides 1,000+ hours salt spray resistance.
Never use water-based primers under Raptor. Raptor is solvent-based — water-based products cause lifting and adhesion failure.
What Raptor Can & Can't Go On
✓ Compatible surfaces
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✕ Not compatible
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Colour Options & Tinting Guide
Ready-to-use in black and white. The tintable version can be matched to virtually any colour using standard solvent-based mixing systems.
| Colour | Swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gloss Black | Ready to use — no tinting needed | |
| White | Ready to use — no tinting needed | |
| Gun Metal Grey | Add 10% grey solvent toner to tintable base | |
| Army Green | Popular for 4×4 builds and off-road vehicles | |
| Silver | Add 10% silver solvent toner | |
| Custom colour match | Take tintable kit to paint shop with your colour code |
Tinting rule: Add approximately 10% by volume of solvent-based toner. Do not use water-based or metallic toners. If using 2K colour, activate it before adding to Raptor.
Surface Preparation
Preparation is the most critical step. Raptor will only perform as well as the surface underneath it.
| 01 |
Remove loose material Wire brush, scrape or grind off all rust, flaking paint and loose material. |
| 02 |
Clean & degrease Use U-POL ACID#8 or equivalent. Any oil, wax or silicone = adhesion failure. |
| 03 |
Abrade Metal: P80–P180. Rigid plastics: P120–180. Flexible plastics: P180–320. |
| 04 |
Prime Select primer based on substrate — see primer guide above. Critical for bare metal and plastics. |
| 05 |
Adhesion promoter Plastics & fibreglass: apply GRIP#4. Wait 20 minutes before applying Raptor. |
| 06 |
Re-clean Final wipe-down after sanding. Even fingerprints can affect adhesion. |
Mixing — Fill, Shake, Shoot®
- Fill the bottle with hardener to the first ridge marked "A" — 250ml hardener per 750ml Raptor base
- Replace cap and shake vigorously for at least 2 minutes
- Pot life approximately 1 hour at 20°C — use it or lose it
- Only mix one bottle at a time
- Clean spray gun thoroughly between each bottle
Application Methods
🔫 Schutz gun (recommended)
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🎯 HVLP gravity gun
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🖌️ Roller
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Always test first. Spray a test panel before applying to the vehicle — distance, pressure and temperature all affect texture.
Finish Options
Dry Times & Cure Schedule
Temperature matters. Do not apply below 10°C. Humidity above 60% affects finish. Ideal conditions: 20°C, under 60% humidity.
How-to Video
Watch the official U-POL step-by-step application guide before you start your job.
Raptor vs Competitors
The verdict: For DIY in Australia, Raptor is the clear winner — 2K polyurethane, no spray booth needed, tintable to any colour, at a fraction of the professional installer price.
Frequently Asked Questions
One 4L kit covers approximately 12 m² — enough for a full dual-cab tray with 2–3 coats. For a single-cab, a 1L kit (~3 m²) is usually sufficient.
Yes. Order tintable Raptor and take it to a paint shop with your colour code. They'll add the solvent-based toner (~10% by volume). Do not use water-based systems.
Bare metal: yes — Acid Etch Primer (UP5023) for small areas, 2K Epoxy Primer (REP/1LK) for large areas. Plastics and fibreglass: GRIP#4 adhesion promoter. Existing painted surfaces: direct after cleaning and abrading.
Touch dry in 2–3 hours. 60 min flash-off between coats. No water contact for 72 hours. Full cure: 7 days at 20°C.
Yes on most plastics with GRIP#4 adhesion promoter. Exception: polyethylene (PE) panels — adhesion is unreliable even with promoter. Test a small area first.
Thin Raptor up to 20% with solvent thinners and use an HVLP gravity gun. Higher PSI and greater spray distance also produce a finer texture.
No. Remove all rust first, then prime the bare metal before applying Raptor. Applying over rust causes premature failure.
Approximately 1 hour at 20°C. Only mix one bottle at a time and clean the gun between each bottle.
Yes — Raptor provides high UV and fade resistance, making it one of the best choices for Australian outdoor conditions.
Ready to coat your ute, 4×4, or trailer?
South East Clearance Centre stocks the full U-POL RAPTOR range — kits, primers, adhesion promoters, spray guns and accessories. Fast shipping across Australia.
Shop Raptor at South East Clearance Centre →Product information sourced from U-POL official technical data sheets. Always read the full SDS before use.

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