My dabble in hydro-dipping

localloon

localloon

Well-known user
Jul 7, 2011
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For once in a very long time ive had half a day to myself, so I decided to give this hydrographics malarky a dabble. For those unaware its a process that transfers a printed image on a water soluble film onto a painted part via the use of an activator.....if you search hydrodipping on youtube it will give you a good idea of the process

Anyway first off I did my mirror caps in a skull design, I just removed them from the car, gave them a good clean and dipped then laquered them....

uploadfromtaptalk1377536964737.jpguploadfromtaptalk1377536988771.jpguploadfromtaptalk1377537004029.jpguploadfromtaptalk1377537033516.jpg

Sure, the design wont be to everyones taste but its different!

What do you think?
 
And I di my ciggy lighter surround in a carbon type design
uploadfromtaptalk1377537151991.jpguploadfromtaptalk1377537164226.jpguploadfromtaptalk1377537175354.jpg
And with the leftover skull film I did the rear cover of my phone just for the hell of it haha uploadfromtaptalk1377537191283.jpg
 
localloon said:
For once in a very long time ive had half a day to myself, so I decided to give this hydrographics malarky a dabble. For those unaware its a process that transfers a printed image on a water soluble film onto a painted part via the use of an activator.....if you search hydrodipping on youtube it will give you a good idea of the process

Anyway first off I did my mirror caps in a skull design, I just removed them from the car, gave them a good clean and dipped then laquered them....

View attachment 4778View attachment 4779View attachment 4780View attachment 4781

Sure, the design wont be to everyones taste but its different!

What do you think?
Click to expand...
Looks good to me............something different
 
As you said, skulls aint for everybody, but the possibilites :cool:. Well done, was that your first attempt? I've been considering dipping my dash plastics. Have you got any info re suppliers?
 
Pid_16V said:
As you said, skulls aint for everybody, but the possibilites :cool:. Well done, was that your first attempt? I've been considering dipping my dash plastics. Have you got any info re suppliers?
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1st propper attempt yes :) theres some imperfections but not too bad. The skulls aren't permanent I just wanted to give a film a go with a high level of detail.

I plan to do my hvac ect when ive decided how I want them to look and had a bit more practice.

I just searched ebay for the films and activator spray.....and its rather cheap given the quality of the end product!

I would say difficulty level is probably 4 out of 10, once you get an understanding of the process its all just about timing and technique......and getting the film the right way up in the water......:eek:
 
tiff said:
very impressive - there's a company in Dorset / Hants I think that do this on an industrial scale, and were featured on Wheeler Dealers once.
great result
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Cheers tiff, I would like to do my wheels eventually but I think I may need a slightly larger kitchen sink haha
 
Ifound the email reply from wicked coatings. I had asked for a quote to skin the havac panel and the headlight switch panel.

Hi,

Thanks for the enquiry.


Cost to coat these 2 parts would be £75. This includes vat and return p&p.

:eek:
 
Pid_16V said:
Ifound the email reply from wicked coatings. I had asked for a quote to skin the havac panel and the headlight switch panel.

Hi,

Thanks for the enquiry.


Cost to coat these 2 parts would be £75. This includes vat and return p&p.

:eek:
Click to expand...

That sounds a tad expensive to me. Is it????
 
dogsbody said:
i use one of those big plastic stackable storage tubs.

Which activator are you using?

Nice work by the way Dave
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I plan on getting a tub like yours Mart, just getting chance to get over to the local pound stretcher lol

Heres the activator I bought from ebay (it was around £14 all in I think)uploadfromtaptalk1377580417702.jpgexcuse the skull lid, it was something to practice on lol
 
dogsbody said:
i've heard that the activator is just 2 pack thinners...not tried this yet though :)
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It does have a distinct vanilla type aroma though? And tbh it sounds expensive at 14 tokens a tin....but I imagine it will last ages as my tin still appears to be near enough full!
 
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