Raptor is amongst the most durable bedliners in the market. It is formulated to withstand the toughest conditions and is resistant to scratches, UV, stains, and many other things.
According to the manufacturers of Raptor, it can be used on a wide range of surfaces, wood included. Here is everything you should know if you have a wooden surface that you would like to coat with Raptor.
Table of Contents
- Will Raptor Stick to Wood?
- How to Apply Raptor Liner Over Wood?
- Should You Use a Sealer Before Raptor Lining Wood?
- Reasons You Should Use Raptor Liner on Wood
- Does Raptor Liner Last Long on Wood?
- Will Raptor Liner Waterproof Wood?
- Can You Apply Raptor Over Wood with a Roller?
- How Long Does Raptor Take to Cure on Wood?
Will Raptor Stick to Wood?
Yes, Raptor will stick to wood. However, you need to install it correctly for the coating to last longer. According to Raptor, if you apply their bedliner to wood, you should clean off dust and lightly sand the surface.
Raptor liner will not do well in the presence of dust and contaminants. Also, the sanding is crucial as it ensures there is something for Raptor to stick to.
For wood that has been pre-treated or painted, you are advised to also clean and sand the surface. It’s not recommendable to apply the Raptor liner directly to wood substrates without following the above instructions.
How to Apply Raptor Liner Over Wood?
Since Raptor agrees that their liner can be used over wood, are you interested in using it to coat a wooden substrate? Here is a professional guide on how to apply Raptor liner over wood.
Step 1 – Gather Essential Tools
You will need adequate amounts of Raptor liner. This is the main product that will be used. Before buying, calculate the space of wood you would like to cover with Raptor and then order an adequate amount.
Don’t worry about buying an excess Raptor liner. If some is left behind, it can be stored and used for touchups. You will also need sandpaper, a quality primer/adhesion promoter, a wood filler, an all-purpose cleaner, an air hose, and a scraper.
Step 2 – Blow Off the Dust
Most wooden surfaces get dusty, especially if they are stored outside. Before beginning this project, you will need to blow off the dust. Make sure you wear a mask since the dust can trigger allergic reactions.
Dust can best be blown off wood using an air hose. If you can access one, that would be better and easier. You will know when the wood is dust free.
Step 3 – Sand the Surface
The next step that follows is sanding the wood using sandpaper. The best sandpaper to use for wood is a medium 80-grit. You can sand it using your hands or an orbital sander.
We recommend the latter since it gets the job done much faster. However, if you are working on a small area, you can always sand by hand.
Step 4 – Remove Old or Loose Paint
If the wood you intend to coat with Raptor liner is old and worn out, it’s better to get rid of it now. To do this, use a scraper to chip off any old paint.
Since the paint is worn out, it should be easy for you to scrape off. In case the wood wasn’t painted, you can skip this step.
Step 5 – Apply Wood Filler
Before applying the Raptor liner, you should look for dents or defects on the wood. If there are some, these will need to be filled in using wood filler.
Mix the putty with a hardener in the correct ratio and then apply it uniformly over the dented surfaces. The filler is crucial as it ensures the surface is smoother.
When the filler dries, don’t forget to sand it as well. You can still use the 80-grit sandpaper. If you had scraped off some paint, sanding will help remove any loose materials on the surface.
Step 6 – Wash and Degrease
If you thought you were done with the prep work, my apologies. Wood is a very tricky substrate. Therefore, to get the coating to stick, it needs to be adequately prepared.
The next step is to wash the surface of the wood using an all-purpose cleaner of your choice. If you can find a cleanser that doubles as a degreaser, that would be great.
When clean, let the wood dry. If you are working on a sunny day, that should take very little time.
Step 7 – Apply Primer/Adhesion Promoter
Even though you can proceed straight to shooting Raptor liner over wood, I highly recommend you spray a primer or adhesion promoter.
The primer will enable the surface to bond better to the Raptor liner. Make sure you clean the wood with a microfiber cloth and then spray a quality primer. You can use the one made by Dupli Color.
Step 8 – Spray Your Raptor Liner
Following the above steps, you can confidently shoot the Raptor liner over the wood surface. Before spraying, remember that the Raptor liner should be mixed with a hardener.
Therefore, don’t forget to mix it in the ratio of 3:1. If you are using the Raptor liner bottle, fill it to the point indicated. Shake well and spray. Make sure that every part of the wooden surface is covered with the Raptor liner.
Spray a thin light coat followed by a slightly thicker second coat. As you spray the second coat, you will notice that the finish becomes much darker.
Should You Use a Sealer Before Raptor Lining Wood?
Wood isn’t the same as metal. It is vulnerable to expansion and contraction. A sealer can solidify a wooden surface, ensuring that the cured Raptor liner doesn’t feel the effects of expansion or contraction.
So, if you can apply a wood sealer before Raptor lining a truck, that would guarantee the project’s longevity. Also, a sealant prevents the wood from absorbing water and swelling, which can lead to cracking.
If the wood surface you intend to Raptor line will be spending a lot of time outdoors, it would pay off to seal it first.
Reasons You Should Use Raptor Liner on Wood
Raptor liner is mostly used on truck beds and bumpers. However, it also offers many benefits when used on wood. Check out these reasons why you should use Raptor liner over wood.
• It enhances the aesthetics of wood. If you don’t like the usual wood finish, you can improve the aesthetics by going for a Raptor liner finish.
• It protects wood from the elements. Even though wood is strong and can resist some elements, it can’t be compared to the durability of the Raptor liner. This liner will protect the wood finish from rain, UV rays, snow, and even dirt.
• Raptor liner prevents wood from deteriorating. As an organic material, wood decomposes naturally over time unless it has been pre-treated. When it’s coated with Raptor liner, water and other elements that catalyze the deterioration of wood are barred from being absorbed.
• Raptor liner creates a non-slip texture over wood. In case the wood surface is stepped on, you can benefit from the non-slip texture created by the Raptor liner. It will minimize sliding or slipping whenever the wood gets wet.
• Even though other finishes can be applied over wood, the Raptor liner will outlast all of them. That means you won’t have to touch up the finish regularly when it wears out due to exposure to the elements.
• Finally, the Raptor liner is available in a wide range of colors. You can therefore customize it to get a finish that blends with other parts of the surface being coated.
Does Raptor Liner Last Long on Wood?
Raptor liner is a decent product that, if applied correctly, will hold up well on wood. Some people have sprayed Raptor liner on wood without performing any prep work, and it has served them well.
Can you imagine how long it would last if applied correctly and you performed all the recommended preparations? It’s important to know that the Raptor liner won’t last forever. Exposure to the elements will eventually lead to wear.
Will Raptor Liner Waterproof Wood?
If you are considering applying the Raptor liner over wood, you need to know if it’s waterproof since that will determine the project’s longevity. Wood is vulnerable to frequent moisture exposure.
Water can cause it to swell, leading to the cracking of the cured Raptor liner. The good news about using Raptor liner is that it’s water resistant. As long as you ensure every wood surface is covered, no water will be absorbed.
Can You Apply Raptor Over Wood with a Roller?
When painting wooden surfaces, roller brushes are an excellent choice. They make the application much easier. Also, they reduce the time that would have been taken spraying.
If you prefer to use a roller instead of a spray gun, the Raptor liner can be applied using both tools. Using a roller guarantees a much better texture than using a spray gun. However, it would be best if you were careful with the amount of thickness applied using a roller.
If Raptor is applied too thick, it can cure into a soft finish that will be vulnerable to scratches and dents.
How Long Does Raptor Take to Cure on Wood?
The Raptor liner can dry within thirty minutes on a hot sunny day. However, you should let Raptor liner cure for around two or three days to get better results. The coated wood should be placed indoors, or away from high-traffic areas so the curing process isn’t interfered with.