DIY Hydro Dipping

[Lordbenny]

Anyone tried it, looks easy doesn't it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpLkAYHOJyQ

[Art0ir]

That looks brilliant! I wonder where the material is sourced from?

[Lordbenny]

E-Bay - its cheap!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Carbon-Fibre-HydroGraphi...

[Art0ir]

Bloody hell, that's a 10th of the price of the vinyl I bought.

Unless he's stuck an accidental 0 onto those measurements?

[Art0ir]

Ok I've got hold of the film, have sourced some of my own Activator over lunch (as opposed to the £14+ 400ml cans that seem to be recommended!) so will experiment this evening!

[bimsb6]

can i carbon wrap my head?

[Toaster Pilot]

That looks surprisingly easy - can you buy it in other colours ?

Cheap and easy way to refresh knackered mirror covers etc I'd think, but not keen on fake carbon...

[samuelellis]

I had a look at this a while ago, the film you float over the water can be got with different patterns so it is not just carbon fibre

tbh the carbon fibre look is not that bad, my xbox controller is carbon fibre hydrodipped and that looks pretty good

[Art0ir]

Toaster Pilot said:

That looks surprisingly easy - can you buy it in other colours ?

Cheap and easy way to refresh knackered mirror covers etc I'd think, but not keen on fake carbon...

You can get literally any pattern/colour/print you wish.

Personally I think the camo stuff look amazing (on guns, obviously).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0co7vjSGsXg

[Pablo Escobar]

How durable is the finish? If you dipped your rims would the finish be damaged when the tyres were fitted? I want to dip my air gun stock now too.

[Dog Star]

That's great. I'm now trying to think of things that I can wrap!

[Art0ir]

Pablo Escobar said:

How durable is the finish? If you dipped your rims would the finish be damaged when the tyres were fitted? I want to dip my air gun stock now too.

Clearcoat over the top

[steveo3002]

Art0ir said:

Ok I've got hold of the film, have sourced some of my own Activator over lunch (as opposed to the £14+ 400ml cans that seem to be recommended!) so will experiment this evening!

where did you get it ? does this need a clear coat to make it durable?

Edited by steveo3002 on Tuesday 14th January 14:51

[4sure]

That is amazing !
Thanks for sharing Lordbenny

[Art0ir]

steveo3002 said:

Art0ir said:

Ok I've got hold of the film, have sourced some of my own Activator over lunch (as opposed to the £14+ 400ml cans that seem to be recommended!) so will experiment this evening!

whee did you get it ? does this need a clear coat to make it durable?

I'll reveal all when I experiment tonight. I'll either make the evening news for poisoning everyone within a 500ft radius or be coating every household item I can fit in the bath with a carbon fibre print.

[Lordbenny]

So, the activator is what you put on whatever you're dipping BEFORE you dip?....What exactly is it? You say you sourced some independently, got a link?

Is normal clear lacquer/clear coat ok for protecting the dipped article, I presume its not going to melt it?

I look forward to seeing the results and the state of your bathtub when you've finished!

[s p a c e m a n]

Someone do their phone please, I want to see what it looks like

[24lemons]

bimsb6 said:

can i carbon wrap my head?

This must be tried. For the love of god, please somebody carbon wrap their head! (I'm too scared and my hair is too lush and beautiful)

[Art0ir]

Lordbenny said:

So, the activator is what you put on whatever you're dipping BEFORE you dip?....What exactly is it? You say you sourced some independently, got a link?

Is normal clear lacquer/clear coat ok for protecting the dipped article, I presume its not going to melt it?

I look forward to seeing the results and the state of your bathtub when you've finished!

From what I understand, the backing is PVA (Polyvinyl alcohol) which is a water soluble material (same used in fishing bait bags if you've ever fished Carp). The warm water breaks this down for you.

The "activator" then breaks down the ink layer left on top of the water so you can dip your items and have it stick to the surface.

Looking at the chemical makeup of what the sellers describe as (direct quote) "a very specific mix of chemicals" I think I've found a viable alternative for 1/8th of the price from an unlikely source.

[dooosuk]

Lordbenny said:

So, the activator is what you put on whatever you're dipping BEFORE you dip?

No, the activator is sprayed on the film (e.g. carbon fibre) that is floating on the water. It changes the film into a floating liquid so that when you dip your item it wraps around the shape.


You can see it being sprayed in the videos above.