Characteristics
Base: synthetic resins and rubbers, coloring pigments, fillers.
Color: gray and/or black.
Smell: ordinary solvent.
Drying time: (at 20ºC) layer 1000 microns thick - about 16 hours.
Recommended operating temperature range, ºC: from -30 to 95.
Limit temperature of use, ºC: 110.
Density (at 20ºC), g/ml - 1.05.
Dry substances – 40...45%.
What does anti-gravel coating provide?
You need to understand that different manufacturers make anti-gravel compounds of different quality and composition. High-quality modern compounds do not contain bitumen and have the following properties:
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- good corrosion protection
- resistance to non-aggressive acids and salts
- high resistance to impacts from small stones
- reduces noise
- reduces vibrations
- provides protection against engine oil, water and fuel
Feasibility and features of application
Anti-gravel Body 950 will be needed by those car owners who often have to drive on bad roads. The make of the vehicle also matters. The fact is that on many cars, anti-gravel protective compositions are used at the stage of priming and painting the body. An example is all the cars of the Audi family, the domestic Lada Priora and a number of others. Thus, the manufacturer cares not only about protection against chips, but also properly prepares the car for operation in difficult weather conditions. In other cases, there is a need to protect the car body from chips or other damage that often occurs on the threshold, bottom or wheel arches of the car from small stones.
Anti-gravel Body 950 belongs to the category of compounds that have a certain color - white, gray or darker. The treatment consists of sequentially applying at least two layers of anti-gravel to the treated area, and the surface must be thoroughly dried before each subsequent layer. This may not be indicated in the instructions, but from user reviews it follows that before processing the surface should be sanded with 250-grit sandpaper if you are going to apply regular paint, and 350-grit sandpaper if the final surface is to have a metallic color. Some users even use sandblasting: according to them, it is in this case that the preparation will be the most uniform and of the highest quality.
If there are dents on the surface, they are repaired with putty or fiberglass. A quick and effective coating can be applied even to a bulldozer or tractor: for rust and stones, the type of vehicle does not matter.
Which anti-gravel is better
Anti-gravel (often called “lambs”) is the simplest and most inexpensive option for protecting the lower parts of the car body (sills, fenders) from mechanical damage from stones, gravel, and dust. This paint and varnish material creates a durable elastic film on the painted surface, prevents chipping of the paint , but at the same time is easily removed. How to choose the right anti-gravel for your car? What characteristics and features should you pay attention to? Are there universal “lambs”?
Which anti-gravel in cans and cans is better?
Anti-gravel in cans can be used in combination with special compressor guns. Some models, for example, LIQUI MOLY Steinschlag-Schutz 6106, are applied only by this method.
Anti-gravel, produced in ordinary sealed cans, is applied with a brush . Which option for applying “lamb” is more durable? With the help of a gun, but at home it will not be possible to carry out such body treatment - you will have to turn to a car service for help.
Which anti-gravel is best for sills and body surface structure
I would recommend using anti-gravel, which gives a matte finish to the surface being treated. The gloss on the lower part of the body quickly loses its original appearance and does not look the best. Matte anti-gravel has no such drawback.
What anti-gravel is best to treat the underbody of a PVC car?
Previously, almost all anti-gravel paints had an alkaline or acid base - it was thanks to this that they bonded tightly to the painted body. But applying such a coating to plastic literally melted it. In this regard, it is better to give preference to rubber-based anti-gravel agents - their pH is neutral . But such “lambs” have a drawback - quite quickly it begins to peel off at the edges and you have to re-process the body.
Which anti-gravel for cars is better in terms of coating thickness?
The smaller they are, the better. The optimal thickness of applied anti-gravel is about 300 microns. If the thickness is much greater, the mastic will quickly form bubbles and begin to peel off - this is the same thing that happens with a thick layer of putty.
Does not affect anything and choose according to your own preferences. It can be gray or black (the shade differs from one manufacturer to another, so the body treatment is carried out by only one brand, without mixing).
Manufacturers included in the rating:
- ASTROHIM is the largest Russian manufacturer of auto chemicals and auto cosmetics. It has a wide research and production base and currently produces about 400 types of auto chemicals, including anti-gravel products. Most people agree that the quality of this company’s products is quite high, but the prices are quite affordable;
- LiquiMoly is a German company that produces lubricants for passenger cars. Recently it has also been producing auto chemicals. A key feature of the company is that almost all additives created are patented, so their characteristics always differ from analogues from other manufacturers. But the prices are quite high;
- HB Body is the largest Greek manufacturer of paints and varnishes for cars, as well as other auto chemicals to protect the body from corrosion and rust. Until the 2000s, the company worked exclusively with service centers, and then began retail sales of its products. Many call their antigravels the best in terms of price/quality combination;
- Hi Gear is an American company that produces about 2 million units of auto chemical products every day. Production facilities are located in over 40 countries around the world. Oddly enough, the manufacturer initially became famous for its compliance with strict green recommendations: almost all factories receive electricity from solar power plants, and no environmentally harmful reagents are used in production. Their products have been sold in the Russian Federation since 1995;
- MOTIP is Europe's largest manufacturer of auto chemicals; the brand itself comes from Holland. The company focuses on the budget category of potential consumers, so their prices are very affordable. Quality can be regulated as “average”.
Processing sequence
We present this sequence for the full-cycle processing option:
- Clean the parts to be processed from rust and dirt (bumpers still require additional polishing). The procedure is no different from that performed before regular painting.
- Sand any existing dents on the body, as well as correct other detected irregularities.
- Using adhesive tape, protect untreated surfaces of the car from aerosol.
- Degrease the surface using for this purpose (as follows from reviews) any aromatic hydrocarbons.
- Prime the surface. It is better to use acidic soil for this.
- Shake the can vigorously, then evenly spray the first layer of Body anti-gravel.
- Dry the treated surface, if possible, without using a hair dryer or fan heater.
- Spray a second coat if necessary: it creates the necessary texture.
It is worth recalling that Body 950 anti-gravel is applied only to those areas of the body that will be subject to prolonged and constant mechanical shock when driving.
Method of use
Before starting treatment, it is necessary to carry out preparatory measures, buy suitable tools, consumables, and study the instructions for the drug.
Necessary equipment for applying anti-gravel
It is allowed to use anticorrosive in any premises.
The main condition is the temperature level is not lower than plus eight degrees in the cold season. Otherwise, the quality of protection will be poor and the drying time will be excessive.
You will need protective equipment and clothing: clothing made of dense material, a respirator, eye and hand protection.
You should also protect your head with a headdress, as the product is difficult to wash off from your hair.
List of tools for working with composition:
- a spray bottle or brush (if the drug is not aerosol);
- a tool for turning the car on its side (if there is no inspection pit and lift in the room);
- degreasing composition.
The room must be well lit, otherwise the layer will lie unevenly and unpainted areas will remain. During processing, proper ventilation should be installed, good ventilation should be provided, but drafts and gusts of wind should be avoided.
If anti-gravel treatment will be carried out in the air, it should be done on a dry, windless day, when there is no dust flying in the air.
Preparing the base
Before applying the composition, pre-treatment of the surface is necessary. Otherwise, the protective layer will not last for a long time, and the contamination remaining underneath will quickly damage metal parts. Therefore, rust is more likely to cover the body than without anti-gravel coating.
The following preparatory activities are carried out:
- washing the treated coating with detergents;
- make the painted elements matte (rub them with sandpaper to create a relief to enhance the adhesion force) or remove the paintwork material completely;
- if necessary, sandblast the bottom;
- treat dented areas with car putty, putty or fiberglass;
- parts susceptible to corrosion should be coated more thoroughly with the composition, removing rust by grinding;
- cut off elements that have begun to rot, attach metal patches by boiling;
- degrease the surface (shortly before treatment with anti-gravel).
Working with the tool
Coating with a brush is inconvenient and takes a long time.
It is recommended to buy the drug in an aerosol can and spray it.
The composition is covered in two layers, leaving to dry “touch”. Hard-to-reach areas can be treated with brushes.
Before traveling by car, it is better to leave without moving for sixteen to twenty-four hours.
Advantages and disadvantages
Body 950 has many advantages. So, thanks to its special structure, the anti-gravel in question protects the metal well from chips and rust. When solid gravel particles slide along the bottom, cracks and scratches do not appear. The reason is the unique properties of the composition: objects in contact with the surface seem to be deposited on a metal matrix.
Since after some time the anti-gravel layer begins to lag behind the surface, the double coating can create a surface relief and is easier to remove without damaging adjacent areas.
Aerosol spraying is carried out in compliance with normal safety regulations. Additional accessories and equipment are not required; those recommended by the manufacturer’s instructions are sufficient.
Black anti-gravity aerosols for cars
Black anti-gravel Pro Line Peelable Coating Black from Hi Gear, impact resistant
Black anti-gravel in aerosol form, can be applied in up to 4 layers - thickness up to 400 microns. Compatible with both metal and plastic body elements; according to the instructions, it can even be applied to glass - this will be useful for those who install neon on the bottom side.
The final surface is a textured gloss. Resistant to the adhesion of snow and bitumen, impact resistant. From personal experience, it’s quite fast in appearance, but it protects really well. Even with a strong blow, the stone does not break through. The only negative that I can highlight is that it quickly loses its original attractive appearance.
And, by the way, Hi Gear has recently been releasing this anti-gravel in other colors. It is resistant to temperature changes, but at -30 and below noticeable internal cracks appear, but the coating itself still remains intact. In general, it is a good anti-gravel, but it quickly loses its appearance. Available in 0.5 liter cylinders, the average price of this is 430 rubles.
Pros:
- easy to apply;
- impact-resistant coating;
- anti-gravel is compatible with metal, plastic, and glass.
Criterias of choice
In order to choose the best anti-gravel, you need to determine the characteristics by which these products differ. First of all, all modern anti-gravel products are divided into amateur ones, supplied in aerosol cans, and professional (liquid), sold in large, usually metal, cans. The first ones are intended for use by private car owners in garage conditions. The second ones are for use in professional workshops with the help of additional equipment - an air gun. In addition, the choice of anti-gravel should be based on additional criteria.
Versatility
All anti-gravel products are divided into universal and special. Universal anti-gravels form a transparent polymer protective film on the surface being processed. With their help, they process not only the sills, bottom and wheel arches, but also the paintwork of the car body. In many ways, these products are similar to car wax. However, universal means are not as effective as special ones, since the degree of their protection “diverges” in different directions. Universal products usually have a specific color - red, blue, but not monochrome (black and white).
At the same time, a special anti-gravel for cars is designed to protect the sills, underbody and wheel arches of the body. They are typically white, grey, black, silver or clear. They do a better job of protecting these body parts from mechanical stress.
Repeating the texture of the factory coating
You can first apply an anti-gravel composition to the cardboard and compare it with the original, factory texture.
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Different structures of anti-gravel coating can be achieved due to:
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- change in distance to surface
- pressure change
- changing application speed
To avoid too large shagreen, you can dilute the anti-gravel composition with a thinner.
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Application using an aerosol can
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Shake the can thoroughly before applying and between coats.
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You need to spray at a distance of 30–35 cm. This will prevent the appearance of unwanted bubbles. Considering the smaller thickness of the coating when spraying with an aerosol can, at least three layers must be applied.
How to prepare a surface for applying an anti-gravel compound?
It is important to properly prepare the surface before applying the anti-gravel coating. There should be no rust left. Sandblasting is perhaps the best way to prevent corrosion, but you can also use wire attachments on a drill and grinding wheels on an angle grinder. For more details, you can read the article “removing rust from a car body.” The surface must be washed, dried thoroughly and degreased.
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Before spraying anti-gravel, you need to coat the welds and joints with a brush with a special joint sealant, and you can also apply primer with zinc.
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It is necessary to cover adjacent surfaces using covering material and masking tape.
In case of application on a paint coating or acrylic primer, matting under anti-gravel can be done with sanding paper from p240 to p600.
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Surfaces that are not subject to anti-gravel application must be covered with masking tape and covering materials.
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In general, you need to prepare the surface as for painting.
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How to apply anti-gravel coating?
Before use, you can dip the anti-gravel bottle into a bucket of hot water and leave for a few minutes. The composition will become more fluid and will mix better when shaken and sprayed.
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Shake the can for 3 minutes before use.
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The anti-gravel compound can be applied with a brush or roller, but the best option is using compressed air and a special gun.
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The gun must have a 4mm nozzle. Apply at a pressure of 4–7 bar.
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The temperature during application should be from +10 to +25.
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When spraying, keep at a distance of approximately 20 cm.
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After use, turn the can upside down and spray until clean air comes out.
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First, a thin layer is applied, then the remaining layers create the desired structure and film.
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Apply 2–3 layers. The break between layers is 2–5 minutes. After each layer you need to shake the can.
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The optimal thickness of the anti-gravel coating is 1 mm.
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Do not spray onto exhaust system or engine components.
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Drying time at 20 degrees Celsius: after an hour - it stops sticking, after two hours - it can be coated with paint.
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After complete drying, the unpainted anti-gravel coating becomes matte.
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Can anti-gravel coating be painted?
If applied incorrectly, anti-gravel coating often turns out uneven and may have pores. Also, if the storage period and conditions are violated, it will be impossible to mix the composition well and it will not be sprayed correctly, leaving pores. To ensure that the surface is protected from moisture penetration, it is better to paint the applied anti-gravel coating with paint or varnish.
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Painting will extend the service life of the anti-gravel coating and add decorative properties.
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There are paintable and non-paintable anti-gravel compounds.
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Modern anti-gravel compounds contain synthetic polymers and do not contain bitumen, which makes it possible to paint them after drying.
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To ensure that the paint coating will adhere to the anti-gravel coating, the anti-gravel container must bear the inscription Overpaintable, indicating that paint can be applied over the coating.
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You can paint after 2 hours; in the case of water-soluble paints, you need to wait 24 hours.
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After painting anti-gravel, the surface is better washed during use and does not change color.
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One of the reasons for painting is the need to match the color with the body.
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