PC for Splash Guards

[Junbug]

Quick question, is it favorable to get the front and rear splash guards powder coated? Asking as I'm wrapping up the cockpit and engine compartment drilling and I'm wondering if I need to fit and drill the front/rear splash guards?
Thanks!

[edwardb]

The back side of the splash guards (opposite side from the tires) can be finished however you're doing the rest of the aluminum. Powder coat or whatever. The front side is best with a heavy coating of undercoat. They get beat with rocks, road debris, etc. and can make quite a bit of noise. Undercoating helps tame it down. I'm a big fan of UPOL Rapter, which I use also on the underside of the body. But other undercoat products work too.

[Jeff Kleiner]

If you’re powder coating the engine bay aluminum do the backside of the front panels to match because they show. My preference is to the wheel side of both front and back with Raptor truck bed coating.

Jeff

[Junbug]

Thanks for the quick feedback gentlemen!

[mladen]

I opted for Herculiner truck bed liner for panels exposed to the elements. You can see how I dealt with it in my build thread in post 41 (https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?43812-Mladen-s-MK4-Build-Thread&p=503205&viewfull=1#post503205) and 47 (https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?43812-Mladen-s-MK4-Build-Thread&p=503744&viewfull=1#post503744). I did all the underside panels too, didn't document it in the thread. If you can, definitely mark the panels and then do this while they are not in the car. Applying this stuff upside down is a b....

[Junbug]

The back side of the splash guards (opposite side from the tires) can be finished however you're doing the rest of the aluminum. Powder coat or whatever. The front side is best with a heavy coating of undercoat. They get beat with rocks, road debris, etc. and can make quite a bit of noise. Undercoating helps tame it down. I'm a big fan of UPOL Rapter, which I use also on the underside of the body. But other undercoat products work too.

Edwardb, Do you prefer spray on Raptor or is there a roll-on type? For the spray on do I need a bigger air reservior? I have a basic small 6 gallon 150 psi air compressor I use for nail guns and other hand tools, but I'm not sure if it would work for the Raptor spray? How much do you need for spraying the entire underbody and select splash guards? Any preparation of the aluminum required/recommended?

[mladen]

You can see reviews of different ones here https://youtu.be/e8RY-Z0ObgY and here https://youtu.be/NWFIwJUSo6c

You can roll on or brush Herculiner. I used about half a gallon for the entire car.

[edwardb]

Edwardb, Do you prefer spray on Raptor or is there a roll-on type? For the spray on do I need a bigger air reservior? I have a basic small 6 gallon 150 psi air compressor I use for nail guns and other hand tools, but I'm not sure if it would work for the Raptor spray? How much do you need for spraying the entire underbody and select splash guards? Any preparation of the aluminum required/recommended?

I spray it on. I don't have any experience rolling. But their website does mention this. This link addresses both rolling vs. spray and compressor size. https://u-pol.com/wp-content/uploads/Raptor-Products-QA.pdf. I'm guessing your compressor is a little light for this. But I don't know. I haven't used it on a Roadster. Found out about it later and used on my Coupe and Truck builds. I'm guessing their 1 gallon kit would be enough though. I didn't do anything to the aluminum or fiberglass other than makes sure 100% clean and roughed with 80 grit paper. The document I linked to recommends several primer and adhesive promotor products. I haven't found them necessary.

[Namrups]

I used a roller. Pleased with the results. Same prep as EdwardB.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=172308&d=1662917885