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.

💪 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

Kit size Coverage (2 coats) Typical use
1L kit (1 bottle + hardener) ~3 m² Touch-ups, small repairs, single panels
4L kit (4 bottles) ~12 m² Full ute/pickup tub, underbody section
2× 4L kits (8L) ~22–24 m² Average 4×4 full exterior respray
5L trade tin ~14–15 m² Trade/workshop use

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?

Project Recommended kit Notes
Ute tray (single cab) 1L kit ~3 m², 2 coats
Ute tray (dual cab) 1× 4L kit ~6 m², 2 coats
Underbody + wheel arches 1× 4L kit ~10–13 m², 2 coats
Full 4×4 exterior respray 2× 4L kits ~20–24 m², 2 coats
Small trailer 1× 4L kit ~8 m², 2 coats
Large trailer / horse float 2× 4L kits ~18 m², 2 coats
Touch-up / repair 1L kit ~3 m²

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.

Surface Primer to use Product code
Small bare metal areas RAPTOR Acid Etch Primer UP5023
Large bare metal — underbody, floor pans RAPTOR 2K Anti-Corrosive Epoxy Primer REP/1LK
Plastics & fibreglass GRIP#4 Universal Adhesion Promoter UP0799
Aluminium & galvanised steel GRIP#4 + 2K Epoxy Primer UP0799 + REP/1LK
Existing painted surfaces No primer needed Clean, degrease, abrade P80–P180
OEM factory E-coat No primer needed Scuff with Scotch-Brite, degrease
Wood (stable timber) Urethane/acrylic/epoxy wood sealer Any compatible sealer
Concrete Optional concrete sealer Direct to clean, dust-free concrete

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
  • Bare mild steel (with etch or epoxy primer)
  • Primed metal
  • Existing painted surfaces
  • OEM factory E-coat
  • Rigid plastics — ABS, SMC (+ GRIP#4)
  • Flexible plastics — TPO, EPDM, PP (+ GRIP#4)
  • Fibreglass and GRP (+ GRIP#4)
  • Aluminium (abrade + GRIP#4)
  • Galvanised steel
  • Stable timber/wood
  • Concrete (clean and dust-free)
  • Body filler / polyester filler
✕ Not compatible
  • Polyethylene (PE) — ATV panels, unreliable
  • Polypropylene without adhesion promoter
  • Flexible rubber or silicone
  • Glass surfaces
  • Chrome without full abrasion
  • Surfaces above ~120°C (exhausts)
  • Active rust (must be removed first)
  • Waxed or silicone-contaminated surfaces
  • Interior fabric, carpet, soft trim
  • Over water-based sealers or primers

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)
  • 40–60 PSI (2.75–4.10 bar)
  • Bottle attaches direct to gun
  • Lower PSI = rougher texture
  • Higher PSI = finer texture
🎯 HVLP gravity gun
  • Thin up to 20% with solvent thinners
  • Smoother, finer finish
  • Best for full-car resprays
🖌️ Roller
  • Open-textured roller
  • Lower film build — extra coats needed
  • 60 min flash-off between coats

Always test first. Spray a test panel before applying to the vehicle — distance, pressure and temperature all affect texture.


Finish Options

Finish How to achieve it Best for
Heavy texture Gun close, lower PSI (30–40) Ute trays, toolboxes
Medium texture Standard distance, 40–60 PSI 4×4 exteriors, underbody
Fine texture Gun further back, higher PSI Full resprays
Near-smooth HVLP gun + 20% thinning Panel work, colour-matched jobs
Anti-slip Add RAPTOR Traction Additive Floors, ramps, work platforms

Dry Times & Cure Schedule

Stage Time at 20°C Notes
Flash-off between coats 60 minutes Do not apply next coat before this
Touch dry 2–3 hours Firm but not fully cured
Light use 2–3 days No heavy loads or abrasion
No water contact 72 hours min Critical — water affects cure quality
Full cure 7 days Full hardness and chemical resistance
Accelerated (oven bake) 30 min @ 60°C Still wait 7 days for full performance

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

Feature U-POL RAPTOR Line-X Rhinoliner Durabak
DIY application ✓ Yes ✕ Trade only ✕ Trade only ✓ Yes
Available in Australia ✓ Widely available Limited Limited Online only
No spray booth needed ✓ Yes ✕ Required ✕ Required ✓ Yes
Tintable to any colour ✓ Yes Some colours Some colours ✓ Yes
2K polyurethane chemistry ✓ Yes ✓ Yes ✓ Yes 1K only
UV resistance ✓ High ✓ High Moderate Moderate
Cost — full ute tray ~$150–200 AUD $500–900 AUD $400–700 AUD ~$200–350 AUD

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

How much Raptor do I need for a ute tray?

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.

Can Raptor be tinted to match my car's colour?

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.

Does Raptor need a primer?

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.

How long does Raptor take to fully cure?

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.

Can I apply Raptor on plastic panels?

Yes on most plastics with GRIP#4 adhesion promoter. Exception: polyethylene (PE) panels — adhesion is unreliable even with promoter. Test a small area first.

How do I get a smoother finish?

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.

Can Raptor be applied over rust?

No. Remove all rust first, then prime the bare metal before applying Raptor. Applying over rust causes premature failure.

How long does a mixed bottle stay usable?

Approximately 1 hour at 20°C. Only mix one bottle at a time and clean the gun between each bottle.

Is Raptor suitable for Australian UV conditions?

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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