Greetings, dear readers! Today we have a very interesting topic - anti-gravel. This is a special coating for cars that protects against all kinds of damage, stones flying into the car and other delights of our roads.
Such compositions are used to treat sills, bumpers and wheel arches. Some even treat the bottom of the doors, the bottom and the body. Whether to do this or not is up to you.
The product for cars consists of rubber, synthetic polymer, various additives and anti-corrosion impurities. When the product is applied, the coating becomes plastic and prevents damage to the protected parts of the machine, prevents the varnish from contacting hard stones, and maintains its visual appeal.
If desired, processing can be done by hand. Although some trust the application to specialists. It's up to you to decide.
Features and benefits of anti-gravel paint
During the operation of any vehicle, gradual wear occurs on the outer lining of the bumper, sills, lower part of the doors, body and underbody. Special paint designed to protect certain parts of the car from external influences - that’s what anti-gravel is.
This unique coating allows you to protect the surface of the machine from impacts from small stones, debris particles, moisture, and dirt, while ensuring a decent appearance. In addition, anti-gravel treatment helps preserve the integrity of significant parts of the car and protect them from premature damage. After its application, an elastic film resembling rubber is formed. It allows:
- protect the surface of the machine from pebbles, small particles of dirt, oil, water;
- reduce noise and vibration levels during operation;
- protect elements from corrosion;
- give the details a pleasant appearance.
Thanks to new modern technologies, the production of anti-gravel paints has reached a high level of perfection.
They contain anti-corrosion additives, synthetic polymer, rubber and various special additives that allow the paint to adhere tightly to any type of substrate, increasing the strength and durability of the protective layer. This property distinguishes it favorably from other types of paint and varnish products.
What to look for when choosing
Before purchasing, pay attention to three important factors:
- Best before date. It can be found on the lid of the can, packaging, or check with the seller.
- View. Anti-gravel is divided into soft, allowing subsequent painting and used for certain parts of the car.
- Price. A high price does not always meet the expectations of buyers and low cost rarely indicates effectiveness. It is recommended to thoroughly familiarize yourself with the product and only then look at the price tag.
Types of coatings
In fact, all anti-gravel paints for cars are similar in composition. Their main element is acrylic with rubber, which gives the coating elasticity. However, some differences exist:
- the painted surface can be smooth or textured;
- coating – glossy or matte;
- options for painting individual surfaces - the body itself, bumpers, sills, and the underbody of the car.
Let's take a closer look at the last point. The fact is that anti-gravel differs in surface structure, and which one is better is an individual choice. However, it is advisable to select a certain type of paint for each individual part of the car:
- For anti-gravel body protection, manufacturers offer a composition of resins and rubber. Such mixtures are very popular because they have excellent mechanical resistance and perfectly protect the surface from corrosion, water, and moisture. However, due to high porosity, after anti-gravel treatment of the body, the grinding areas will need to be covered with varnish or paint.
- Mixtures for painting the underbody of a car include rubber, bitumen, wax, and various resins. Thanks to the thick layer applied, the bottom coating provides excellent protection from mechanical damage; absorbs noise well; retains its characteristics at low temperatures. It is not recommended to paint such a surface, so as not to disrupt its protective properties.
- To determine how to cover the thresholds with anti-gravel, you need to understand that they are the first to fall under the negative effects of rust. Therefore, the mixture for painting car thresholds must have increased anti-corrosion properties. A polymer-based composition is ideal.
- Even the hood can be treated with protective paint. It, like other parts of the car, suffers from the effects of various particles flying from gusts of wind and oncoming cars. For anti-gravel coating on the hood, it is preferable to choose transparent vinyl, which gives the surface a characteristic shine and protects the front of the car. Also, it would be appropriate to use colorless anti-gravel, which will not only serve to protect the part, but also add a luxurious gloss to the appearance. A transparent composition in cans is best suited for this.
Film type anti-gravel
Solarnex Extreme ppf film
The composition is made in South Korea, which combines excellent quality and a very reasonable price. The material is inexpensive, but very reliable among all those presented on the modern market. You can apply it yourself without resorting to the help of specialists. It is produced in the form of a film, the inner side of which is characterized by the presence of a very high-quality adhesive layer. Thanks to this, when working on the surface of metal elements, air bubbles or other types of defects do not appear. The structure of the coating is multilayer. The thickness of the top layer is only 20 microns, and it is self-healing. This effect was achieved largely thanks to the use of active rubber.
After hitting the coating, after some time it returns to its original shape. The film itself is absolutely transparent, but has a glossy sheen that closely imitates car varnish. If you cover only the thresholds with film, they will not be completely different from other body elements. The top layer repels any reagents, including road bitumen.
Advantages:
- High quality composition;
- Contains active rubber;
- Self-healing film;
- Easy to apply to car parts.
Flaws:
- However, when covering the thresholds with this film, you will have to tinker a little so that the layer is of high quality and even.
Solarnex Extreme ppf film
Film Hogomaku PRO
Products of a very well-known Japanese brand, which specializes exclusively in the manufacture of a wide variety of types of protection. The film turned out to be quite expensive, but the length of one roll is 15 meters with a width of 1.5 meters. This is a very large canvas, so one roll will be enough to cover the entire body of the vehicle. To work with thresholds, a couple of linear meters of product will be enough.
One of the key performance qualities is the thickness of the protective layer, which is 200 microns. This is the best indicator on the market, so the film will effectively protect the paint layer from any, even very serious, impacts. The service life is about 10 years, but everything directly depends on the specific operating conditions. The film is made on the basis of polyurethane, it is completely transparent and has excellent adhesion to any surface.
Advantages:
- The thickness of the layer provides high-quality protection even from strong impacts;
- Polyurethane withstands aggressive environments and serious temperature changes;
- Long service life.
Flaws:
- Very high cost;
- Not very flexible products - some effort will have to be made when gluing.
Film Hogomaku PRO
Suntek PPF film
Today, these American-made products are the most popular and in demand in all world markets. The company produces both decorative and protective materials. The thickness of this anti-gravel is 200 microns, which allows for optimal protection of the vehicle body even from very serious damage. The film is made on the basis of natural rubber, so it is easy to apply, bubbles do not form under it, and when glued it does not burst or tear. The composition perfectly withstands even significant impacts, and additionally protects the paint layer from the negative effects of reagents, salts, and so on.
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The service life is at least five years, but in reality much longer. The film is reliable and durable; after its service life has expired, it is very easy to remove, and no traces remain. It is sold not only in rolls, but also in linear meters, so you can purchase only the required quantity of products.
Advantages:
- Rubber-based products;
- Easy to apply and remove from the surface;
- Long service life;
- You can buy not a whole roll, but by linear meters;
- It is absolutely invisible on the thresholds.
Flaws:
- High price.
Suntek PPF film
Types of paints
According to the method of applying paint they are divided into:
- aerosol;
- application with a gun;
- application with a brush.
Aerosol paint is the most convenient to use, does not require special skills to use, is widely available on sale and is extremely popular. It simplifies the painting process and leaves a uniformly colored layer that cannot be achieved, for example, with a brush.
Applying anti-gravel with a gun is less convenient and in some cases requires special training. Often the composition needs to be diluted for optimal condition. Therefore, anti-gravel under a gun is more common in car dealerships than when applying the coating yourself.
Anti-gravel paint in cans is applied using a brush or roller. Lubricating parts with a brush allows you to paint them more thoroughly and accurately.
The color range of the product is not large: anti-gravel white, grey, black and colorless - that’s all the shades. However, you can always find an option and paint the anti-gravel coating with your favorite shade.
Application area
Anti-gravel has several purposes:
- Improved noise and vibration insulation.
- Hiding existing cracks without increasing them over time.
- Protection of all body elements from the harmful effects of salts and acids. The product reliably protects against moisture, dirt, stone impacts and protects against metal corrosion.
To treat a car, you can use one of three anti-gravel options, the only difference is in the application methods:
- Spray in a bottle, easy to apply and distribute to the necessary parts.
- Spray under the gun. Not a very convenient method of application; you have to use an additional solvent for dilution. Most often used at professional service stations.
- In banks. The paint is applied with a brush or a spray gun. This product has the most positive reviews, but due to the complexity of application it is less popular than other methods.
Manufacturers and products
In the market for anti-gravel coatings for cars, there are several manufacturers whose products are highly valued. To choose the right one, we offer a short overview of the best paints.
- ASTROHIM - the products of this company are the most popular. Gray anti-gravel in the form of an aerosol is easy to apply, dries quickly, forming a thick, durable film similar to “liquid rubber”. It is most suitable for protecting the body and thresholds and is considered the best anti-gravel in cans.
- LAVR aerosol has good sound suppression properties. Prevents exposure to moisture, salts, and ultraviolet radiation. Perfectly protects sills and body from corrosion.
- Transparent anti-gravel in HI-GEAR cans is a universal product. Thanks to its complete transparency, it can be applied to absolutely any surface without spoiling the color.
- Euro-balloon with anti-gravel CAR FIT is applied using a gun. It has a high degree of adhesion; after drying, the protective coating can be immediately painted.
- Anti-gravel for the BODY 950 gun is made on the basis of rubber with high noise insulation properties. Due to its high hiding power, it has proven itself well for painting car bodies. However, before applying it, it is necessary to use an adhesive primer.
- Anti-gravel for the KERRY KR-970 car perfectly protects the underbody, sills, and wheel arches from the effects of aggressive substances.
- 3TON in a tin is reliable protection for the body from the effects of small particles and road dust. Apply with a brush or roller evenly in several layers. Dries quickly, forming a dense film.
- Transparent anti-gravel in cans RUNWAY RW6700 is used to treat the lower parts of the bumper and wheel arches. Spraying is carried out in 4-5 layers, after drying it forms a transparent, rough surface.
- New TEXON Ricochet – anti-corrosion mastic. When sprayed, it creates a smooth transparent coating, which can later be painted. The spray is suitable for treating lower parts of the body and sills.
Aerosols
AUTO
This product's formula contains a decent concentration of zinc. This metal is one of the best materials for protecting surfaces made of steel. It reliably protects against the occurrence of corrosion processes and accidental impacts. The resulting coating is quite reliable and durable. The composition is quite fluid, so it can completely cover all thresholds, including various kinds of bends and hard-to-reach areas. One cylinder is unlikely to be enough for all the elements that need protection; you will have to use about 3-5 cylinders - this is unlikely to hit your wallet hard, since the products are not too expensive.
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There is no need for special skills or experience to use these products. The composition is of high quality, reliably protects the paint layer from damage - both minor and very significant.
Advantages:
- Reasonable cost;
- Ease of application;
- The product can be used by a person without experience;
- Covers well the entire metal surface of the body element.
Flaws:
- Only black aerosol is available for sale;
- Significant consumption of products.
Anti-gravel AUTON
Liquid anti-gravel Liqui Moly 6109
The formula was developed by German chemists. Today, this anti-gravel composition is one of the best on the market, largely due to its excellent protective characteristics. The formula is such that the aerosol hardens literally within a few seconds after application. The result is a fairly elastic and durable film. When applied, the product foams and increases in volume. Only black aerosol is available for sale. It can be easily combined with almost all types of paints - water-soluble, alkyd, acrylic.
The cylinder is equipped with a very convenient sprayer, which allows you to significantly reduce product consumption. The surface of metal elements, including the paint and varnish coating, receives reliable protection. The products turned out to be of very high quality; they are in great demand among both professionals and car enthusiasts.
Advantages:
- Carefully thought out formula of the product;
- Forms a film that protects metal and paint from damage;
- Convenient sprayer;
- Insignificant consumption of funds;
- Easily resists any negative external influences.
Flaws:
- Quite expensive;
- Must be applied in several layers.
Liquid anti-gravel Liqui Moly 6109
Anti-gravel Hi-Gear
The effect of using this composition is quite comparable to the characteristics of liquid rubber. The formula has excellent adhesion regardless of the type of surface, so it can be used to preserve absolutely the entire car body. Many users also note the quality of this substance as absolute transparency, so it can be used on the body regardless of its original color. The composition is very expensive, so you will have to spend a decent amount on processing all body elements. One cylinder is enough to process one not too large part.
Before using this composition directly, it is advisable to carefully check the quality of the paint coating, because a thin layer of paint can come off along with the anti-gravel. It’s easy to use anti-gravel, the main thing is to clean the metal surface of dirt and thoroughly degrease it before applying it.
Advantages:
- The absolute transparency of the composition allows you to work with body parts regardless of their color;
- Reliably protects the body from gravel;
- Easy to apply.
Flaws:
- It's very expensive.
Anti-gravel Hi-Gear
Body 950
A completely synthetic substance that was developed by famous Greek specialists in the field of manufacturing chemicals for cars. It is intended exclusively for treating the wheel arches and sills of the car, that is, areas of the body that are most vulnerable to gravel impacts. After complete drying, the substance forms a characteristic lumpy layer on the treated surface. There are not too many colors of this composition here - anti-gravel is sold in only three versions - gray, white and black.
One cylinder is enough for a not too large area, so it is advisable to purchase several at once. Before treating the surface, you need to thoroughly clean the element from any contaminants so that not the slightest trace of dirt or dust remains on it. Next, the surface is degreased and treated with sandpaper, since the formula is not characterized by very good adhesion to smooth surfaces.
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Advantages:
- The bottle is not very expensive;
- Found in almost every automotive chemical store;
- Reliably protects metal surfaces from gravel impacts.
Flaws:
- Significant consumption of funds;
- The surface must be carefully prepared before treatment.
Body 950
Paint application process
Self-coating a car with anti-gravel does not present any difficulties for the owner. It is important to take the procedure carefully and responsibly.
The procedure should be carried out in a well-lit and ventilated area. It is not advisable to work outdoors due to the possibility of dust particles getting onto the work surface.
First of all, you need to know that the dye contains various chemical compounds that can cause serious harm to health. Accordingly, the use of personal protective equipment is mandatory.
Surface preparation
First you need to prepare the surface for painting. To do this, you need to clean it well, remove traces of dirt and rust using a stiff brush or coarse sandpaper, wash and dry. Parts that cannot be processed are carefully covered or sealed with masking tape to prevent splashes.
The question often arises: “is it possible to apply an anti-gravel coating to paint?” As manufacturers indicate, anti-gravel fits perfectly on matte paintwork. It is advisable to clean the remaining surfaces.
Coating
If painting is done using a spray can, place it in hot water for a few minutes for better mixing and spraying. Then it is shaken for three minutes and sprayed onto the prepared surface from a distance of 20 cm. Spraying is carried out carefully to avoid stains and smudges.
Following the instructions indicated on the package, apply the required number of thin layers with breaks for drying of 5-7 minutes. After the final layer, an appropriate texture should form.
Working with a pistol requires certain skills. If you are not sure how to apply the coating correctly, it is better to entrust this process to specialists. At the service station, all work will be done more efficiently and professionally.
To properly apply anti-gravel with a brush, it is important not to overdo it with the layer thickness, otherwise the layers will take a long time to dry, reducing the quality of the paint.
After finishing work
The painted surface must dry well. This will take 2-3 hours. However, it is advisable to operate the car no earlier than a day later, when the anti-gravel layer has completely hardened.
Inspect your car carefully. If you notice scratches, streaks, bumps and other flaws on the hood, bumper or sills, think about a protective coating. Anti-gravel will save your car from further damage and prolong its operation.
Preparatory work
Proper preparation of the car is a mandatory step before applying an anti-gravel coating. The level of responsibility and accuracy in this case corresponds to paint and varnish work. The phased work is as follows:
- thorough cleaning of all areas with signs of rust;
- cleaning the surface with detergents and degreasing;
- sanding putty, varnish and paint;
- removal of paintwork, since the aerosol composition cannot be applied to a glossy surface.
