The Safety of Raptor Liner and Other Bed Liner Paints
There is a fine line between better living through chemistry and actively harming your body. While advancements in science and technology have brought all sorts of miraculous products to our shelves sometimes it’s good to be reminded of just how safe – or unsafe – some of these items can be. In this post we’re going to be talking about Raptor Liner and other spray-based truck liner paints, and going over some of the finer points on how to make sure you stay healthy and safe while using them.
The Dangers of Bed Liner Paint
There is a wide world of choices available when it comes to lining the bed of your truck, but more and more common are painted options. Truck bed liner paints (such as Raptor Liner) are comprised of a multitude of chemicals, some of which can be highly toxic. Methylene diphenyl isocyanate (also known as MDI) is a common chemical compound included in many truck bed liner paints, including Raptor Liner.
Exposure to isocyanate, often found in the polyurethane used in truck liner paint, can cause harmful rashes, headaches, nausea, asthma, and has even been linked to at least one death since 2006. The exposure does not need to be direct, either – Simply being around the fumes put out by polyurethane-based paints can cause severe respiratory and skin conditions. Long-term exposure in childhood has been linked to much higher likelihoods of developing asthma and eczema, and can cause chronic migraines and lung infections over time. Needless to say, all unpleasant stuff.
These chemicals are particularly hazardous in the case of spray-on liner paint as they are actively being aerosolized into the air. Breathing these in is impossible to avoid during application unless the proper safety gear is worn, making precautions necessary for anyone looking to put a coat of bed liner on their vehicle.
Proper Safety When Applying Raptor Liner or Other Liner Paints
Observing the right safety regulations when applying truck liner paints is an absolute must, and unfortunately just having a few fans around for ventilation won’t quite cut it.
Any truck liner paints, spray or roll-on, should be applied in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors on a day with no wind. The fumes from truck bed liner paint can cause irritation to the skin even without being breathed in, making proper clothing also a must; your skin should be covered as much as possible – including the hands, arms, neck and feet – and any bare areas that are exposed to the paint should be washed immediately thereafter.
It should go without saying that safety goggles are a complete necessity for this job; getting grit-filled polyurethane in your eyeball isn’t typically known as “a good time” and can happen more easily than you think. Likewise needed is a ventilation mask – Many kits, such as Raptor Liner, will come with a ventilation mask included; if not, take the extra time and cash to pick one up before you get started, as even with ventilation you’ll still be getting a hefty dose of fumes constantly spewing upward from directly below your face.
Even after finishing you should still try to keep the vehicle either outdoors or in an extremely well-ventilated area: As polyurethane dries and cures it still gives off harmful fumes, and those fumes can take anywhere from days to weeks to fully disappear – Fumes that you could be exposing your family, pets and other loved ones to if you choose to keep a freshly-lined truck indoors.
Final Thoughts & Tips
The question of whether or not Raptor Liner and similar products are safe is easy to answer: They are not. But much like any other hazardous chemical we bring into our homes, such as bleach or hydrogen peroxide, safety in use is just a matter of precaution. Remember these handy tips:
* Wear a mask & goggles
* Cover your skin and stay in a ventilated space
* Try not to breathe errant fumes, even after the painting job is done
* Avoid physical contact and immediately clean any skin that has had exposure
* Clothing that has been contaminated should be discarded after finishing and skin should be washed with soap and water, even if not directly exposed
* Keep the vehicle outside after painting for as long as possible, as fumes will still be emitted for up to several weeks after the work is complete
Planning to use raptor liner?
Following these simple tips can help make sure your experience with applying a bed liner paint – Raptor Liner or otherwise – is a safe one. Once you think you’re ready to begin, head over to our simple guide on painting your truck bed with liner for tips and information on where to go next.
