What do people think about Gravitex or alternative over the top of UPOL Raptor, under new (very expensive) or original bare-metalled inner and outer wings, bumpers, floors, petrol tank and any other exposed panels?
That may seem silly, or worse, to some people but please hear me out and comment accordingly:
- Raptor is very hard and brittle, but also very water-proof so great long-term protection for sheet metal - a bit like epoxy primer. Unfortunately, it has been shown to chip or crack reasonably easily, and especially if its adhesion is less than perfect absolutely everywhere, which cannot be guaranteed. Chips and cracks let moisture in before we know it, and we all know what happens then!
- Gravitex is soft and flexible so less susceptible to chips and no cracking, but can still get damaged quite easily by road debris and MOT garages, and proven not to be very good long-term moisture barrier even when undamaged. Of course, you can and probably should have epoxy primer under it to solve the moisture issue, but that solution is still unlikely to give decades of protection like the original underseal did.
But Gravitex over primer over Raptor over (ideally epoxy) primer??? Mmm, Gravitex protecting Raptor - best of both worlds?
OK, bit of extra weight and an extra ££ per panel but that's nothing compared to the ££££ per new wing bought or restored, fitted and painted....
Other equivalent products, wax protection, body coloured paint/overspray and wheel arch linings all play into the equation for the best protection too.
What do you think of this proposal or what protection options would you go with please?
