QA

Quick Answer: How To Use Hydro Dip Film

How do you activate hydro dip film?

To do the test wet your index and thumb finger and pinch the film on the corner, the side that sticks to your fingers is the PVA side and this side goes down on the water. Spray your Hydrovator Activator evenly at a steady pace. We recommend doing one even coat. Watch for the film expand and glass over.

What side of Hydro dip film goes down?

WHICH SIDE DOWN DO I LAY MY WATER TRANSFER PRINTING FILM? We always test which way to lay our film down by licking our thumb and fore finger and pinching the film. The side that sticks to the moisture on your finger or thumb is the side which is water soluble and this is the side which faces down in the water.

How long does it take for hydro dip film to dry?

The clear coat should be allowed to dry for at least 8-24 hours. Your item will be ready to use when the clear coat is no longer tacky to the touch and has sufficient time to fully cure out.

Do you clear coat after hydro dipping?

STEP 11: CLEAR COAT Clear coating is highly recommended for all hydrographically decorated parts. This helps to seal in the inks and allows for a cleaner finished product. When the dipped part is dry, apply the clear top coating (matte, semi-gloss or high gloss) to finish off your newly dipped hydrographic part.

Do you need activator to hydro dip?

Under and over activating are two of the leading causes in problems with hydro dipping. You are not applying a layer of paint, you just need enough activator (with a fine mist, fan pattern spray) to cover the film lightly.

Can you Hydro dip without spray paint?

However, you’ll need to be more careful using the spray can because spraying too close can form air bubbles on the surface, leading to undesirable patterns. People would often ask, can you hydro dip without spray paint? Yes, you can.

What clear coat do you use for hydro dipping?

TWN’s clear coats are specifically designed for hydrographics. No matter your project or application, we have a clear coat with the unique characteristics that you need to create a long-lasting finish. CCI clear coats are the ultimate clear coat for sporting goods items.

Can you Hydro dip plastic?

Hydrographics can be applied to many types of substrates including plastic, fiberglass, wood, ceramics, and metal. For the most part, if the item can be dipped in water and can be painted using traditional techniques, then the hydrographic printing process can be used.

What temperature should water be for hydro dipping?

The ideal water temperature range for hydrographic dipping is 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Do you let the primer dry before hydro dipping?

Apply a very light dust coat and leave to dry for 15 minutes. Sand, clean and paint your item in an appropriate primer, and base coat prior to . The base coat is a big part of some hydro dipping patterns as they have a lot of clear parts in and it affects the hue of the finish on solid colour patterns.

Can you Hydro dip without a base coat?

Choosing the right base coat color is very important in hydro dipping. So if you are wanting the design to look as intended and usually shown on the product page of where you are purchasing the film, then using a white base coat is usually the best choice unless it is specified that another color was used in the photo.

What primer do you use for hydro dipping?

Any paint requires a good primer to stick to, and a clear coat to seal the paint in after and offer ultimate protection. Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch Flat White Primer is the go-to for hydro dipping.

Can you hydro dip twice?

Sometimes you’re not happy with your initial hydro dip so you want to give it another coat to cover up the old paint. Or maybe you want to dip more than once to merge multiple graphics and create cool effects. If you’re going to do this make sure your product is dry before dipping again.

What is the activator for hydro dipping?

INK DRINK FILM ACTIVATOR. INK DRINK Hydrographic Film Activator is an easy to use film activator, compatible with most films on the market. Ink Drink maintains the richness and color vibrancy of your film and activates most films with a single pass (one coat).

Can u hydro dip glass?

These hydro dip glass bottles are colorful and unique and the paint technique is easy. You will never get the same paint finish twice with hydro dipping. I have photos, a tutorial, and a video showing the process. Definitely watch the video because the technique is so much easier to follow.

What spray paint do you need for hydro dipping?

You can hydro dip any item with a nonporous surface — all you need are a few simple supplies! Step 1 – Using your 2x Rust-Oleum Spray Paint prime the item that you are going to Hydro Dip. Allow that to dry.

Can you Hydro dip at home?

While there are many companies specializing in hydro dip art for large items (e.g. cars and sports equipment), it’s possible to do the process on your own and be creative. Purchase a home hydro dip kit online to apply a design of your choice, with minimal equipment or experience.

How do you make Hydro dip permanent?

Let’s make! Step 1: Prepare Your Wood. Step 2: Water Bath. Step 3: Add Handle to Dipped Item. With the container of water ready you just need some acrylic spray paint colour combinations you want to apply. Step 5: Get Spraying. Step 6: Dip! Step 7: Disturb Water Surface. Step 8: Larger Dips.