Can You Paint Over Raptor Liner? (All You Need to Know)

Generally, the raptor liner is the protecting coating on the truck’s bed liner. Whenever it comes to spraying the raptor liner of your car, you might have thought of painting it. Moreover, the black color of the raptor liner might be boring to many people.

So, you might be confused about whether you can paint over the raptor liner or not. Well, you have to know the safety of using paint over the raptor liner. Moreover, knowing about the consequences of painting over the raptor liner is essential. 

Besides, knowing about the requirements to paint over raptor liner is also important.

Can you paint over the raptor liner?

You can paint over the raptor liner. But the liner must be clean and scuffed. Otherwise, the paint will not stick to the surface. After cleaning and scuffing, you have to allow the raptor liner surface to cure for 2-3 days. Paint will make it look attractive and protect it from weather effects.

However, people don’t only paint over raptor liner for changing the color. Paint can also keep the raptor liner protected from humidity, temperature, rain, and other effects. So, raptor liner painting is also convenient.

Upol raptor liner:

Upol is a pretty popular brand of raptor. Generally, when we paint over Upol raptor liner, the effects are the same for conventional raptor liner.

However, painting on the raptor surface is the same as you paint over any surface. You can either spray paint over the raptor liner or use a paintbrush to paint over it. But you have to make sure that the surface is clean.

Because if the raptor liner is not clean from dirt, dust, grease, etc., these impurities will prevent the paint to adhere to the raptor. So, you must clean the surface before applying the paint.

Moreover, if the scuffing is necessary, you have to do it and wait for a couple of days. If you apply paint over the raptor liner immediately after scuffing, it might make the paint less durable. So, wait for 2 to 3 days after cleaning and scuffing the raptor liner. 

Then you can paint over it.

Many people use a topcoat over raptor liner for protecting the liner. But the topcoat is generally transparent. So, if you want to change the raptor liner color, you can use a different color paint. That means you can topcoat the raptor liner with paint.

Paint will change the color and make the raptor liner attractive. Moreover, it will also save the raptor liner from different effects. So, you can use paint over your raptor liner.

Is primer mandatory when painting over raptor liner? How soon can you paint over the raptor liner?

If you want to make the paint over raptor liner durable and long-lasting, you can use a primer. The main function of using a primer before painting is to make the paint stay on the surface for a long time. Moreover, the paint will stick well to the surface.

So, you can also use primer so that it can hold on the paint over the surface. Primer is not mandatory but it is an important element for painting over raptor liner. Primer will also help to reduce pores and cracks. 

So, if you want a durable painting over raptor liner, you have to use a primer.

Before you use primer, you have to scuff the surface with sandpaper. After scuffing the area, you need to wait a couple of days. Don’t apply paint directly after scuffing the area. You have to wait 2 to 3 days before applying paint over the raptor liner.

What happens when you paint over the raptor liner? Can painting raptor liner affect its strength?

When you paint over the raptor liner, it provides some benefits to the raptor liner. But it doesn’t affect the strength of the raptor liner. So, let’s see what happens when you paint over the raptor liner.

Aesthetic outlook:

When you paint over raptor liner, the paint gives an aesthetic outlook to the liner. You can paint the color of your preference. Moreover, the paint works like a top coat over the raptor liner. So, the paint shines and provides a glossy finish.

Protection:

Paint over the raptor liner also protects the surface. Generally, paint protects surfaces from corrosion and other moisture-related defects. So, the paint will make the raptor liner protected from rain, humidity, and other effects.

Moreover, the paint will prevent the raptor liner from getting scratches and physical damage. Besides, if you paint with a specific thickness, it will also give protection from the ultraviolet rays.

Durability:

Though paint can’t increase the strength of the raptor liner, it can create a durable surface layer over the raptor liner. Paint is generally a durable and long-lasting coating. So, when you paint over the raptor liner, the topcoat will be a durable finish.

Cost-effective:

Generally, paint is a pretty cost-effective coating. Besides, when you cover the raptor liner with paint, you will not buy an extra cover for the raptor liner. Paint will save the liner from weather effects. So, you can save money by buying a cover.

What paint to use with raptor liner?

Now that you know you can paint over raptor liner, you might want to know the paints that you can use with raptor liner. Here is a list of paints that you can use over the raptor liner.

Acrylic paint:

Acrylic paint is one of the most popular paints. This pigmented paint is pretty fast-drying. Besides, acrylic paint will not create any harmful reaction with the raptor liner. So, you can use acrylic paint with raptor liner. 

Moreover, if you use a primer before using the acrylic paint, the paint will stick well.

Urethane-based paint:

You can also use urethane-based paint over the raptor liner. Generally, urethane-based paint is a mixture of color pigments and polyurethane. This paint will give protection to the raptor liner. Moreover, it will work as a top coat and the finish will also be shiny.

Water-based paint:

Water-based paint is also suitable for using over raptor liner. Generally, water-based paint is not harmful to most surfaces. So, you can use water-based paint over the raptor liner.

Enamel:

Enamel is a pretty hard coating. Because when you will apply enamel to the raptor surface, it will dry fast and create a hard surface. So, the topcoat of enamel will protect the raptor liner well. So, you can use enamel with the raptor liner.

How to paint over raptor liner?

Painting over the raptor liner is not that difficult. But you have to follow an appropriate way. Otherwise, the paint will not be long-lasting. Let’s see how you can paint over the raptor liner.

Cleaning:

First, you have to clean the surface because an unclean surface will prevent the paint to stick to the surface. Clean the raptor liner surface from all types of dirt, dust, grease, impurities, etc.

Scuffing:

Then you can use sandpaper to scuff the raptor liner surface. If scuffing is necessary, you have to do it earlier before applying the paint over it. You can use grit paper according to your preference.

Curing:

Then you have to allow some time to cure the surface. You can use 2 to 3 days to make the surface ready to apply paint. If you don’t give this time, the painting will not be effective.

Applying paint:

Now you can apply paint over the surface. You can spray the paint. Otherwise, you can use a soft paintbrush to paint the surface. If you want to make the topcoat thick, you have to provide multiple coats of paint.

Drying and curing:

Then you have to allow the surface to dry and cure completely. If you don’t dry and cure the painted surface well, the paint might chip off. So, use the truck or the bed liner 2 to 3 days after painting.

How much paint do I need to paint over the raptor liner?

Generally, how much paint you need to paint over the raptor liner depends on the area of the bed liner. The more the area, the more paint you will need. But on average, you will need at least one gallon of paint.

Moreover, if you want a thicker topcoat of paint, you will need more paint. For example, you might need multiple coats of paint, then you will need more paint. However, the amount of paint depends on the area and the thickness of the bed liner.

Final Thoughts

You can paint over the raptor liner to give it an aesthetic look. The paint will protect the truck’s bed liner from different types of physical and weather effects. But you have to clean and scuff the surface before applying the paint. Otherwise, the paint will not be effective and durable.