Airsoft Arizona

Airsoft Hardware => Accessories & Gear => Topic started by: TJC10 on April 27, 2014, 07:10:41 PM

Title: Hydrographic transfer printing, at home, Cheap.
Post by: TJC10 on April 27, 2014, 07:10:41 PM
About a year ago a guy joined TAC in Tucson. He told us about hydrographic dipping gave a few of us prices (which by the way, was frigging expensive, $100-$150 for the furniture) and then disappeared. The whole thing went to the back of my mind. I ran into it again in YouTube a couple weeks ago. I watched hours of video and decided to make an order from Dip Wizard.

I sanded and painted a set of hand guards I had from an old JG, and here is a play by play of the process.

Here is the stuff. I bought $150 worth. Lots of film,  activator, and base paint. Literally enough to do scores of items.
(http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab165/TJC10/Trents%20bucket/20140426_15285_edit_1398610348090.jpg)

Here's the skull film. I had already done one of the hand guards prior to the play by play.
(http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab165/TJC10/Trents%20bucket/20140427_071722_7_bestsho_edit_1398610683607.jpg)

This is how I measured the film. I was a little short the first time I tried so I made it a little bigger.
(http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab165/TJC10/Trents%20bucket/20140427_071817_8_bestsho_edit_1398610794457.jpg)

(http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab165/TJC10/Trents%20bucket/20140427_072009_3_bestsho_edit_1398610903262.jpg)

I cut it out. I used the excess and made tape ball handles.
(http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab165/TJC10/Trents%20bucket/20140427_072317_4_bestsho_edit_1398610937719.jpg)

I cut slits in the corners so that it could expand.
(http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab165/TJC10/Trents%20bucket/20140427_072737_8_bestsho_edit_1398611012421.jpg)

Checking the water temperature.
(http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab165/TJC10/Trents%20bucket/20140427_072439_8_bestsho_edit_1398610981385.jpg)

I was alone so i didn't take pictures for the next few steps. I laid the film on the water like all the videos say to do. I ensured there are no bubbles. I set a timer for 1 minute, then sprayed on the activator, and waited 20 seconds. I went in at a 30 ish degree angle and agitated the water ate the end to break the ink away.
(http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab165/TJC10/Trents%20bucket/20140427_072828_6_bestsho_edit_1398611038472.jpg)

The process leaves ink slime that needs to be washed off. I just sat it in the sink and let the water run until the it was not slimy anymore.
(http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab165/TJC10/Trents%20bucket/20140427_073229_2_bestsho_edit_1398611074295.jpg)

Finished parts. They need to be completely dry then lacquered with clear coat.
(http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab165/TJC10/Trents%20bucket/20140427_073955_5_bestsho_edit_1398611093046.jpg)

The whole process really took no time at all. It was the drying time that makes it more than 20 minutes to do.
(http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab165/TJC10/Trents%20bucket/20140427_074045_2_bestsho_edit_1398611116865.jpg)

Sanded stocks. Didn't take but 10 or 15 minutes.
(http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab165/TJC10/Trents%20bucket/20140427_134220_3_bestsho_edit_1398647691220.jpg)

Tan paint. Really just off white. I don't like it, and I need to find a darker Tan.
(http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab165/TJC10/Trents%20bucket/20140427_154415_2_bestsho_edit_1398647733484.jpg)

Post dipped. A little on the light side, but the pistol grip came out exceptional.
(http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab165/TJC10/Trents%20bucket/20140427_163715_8_bestsho_edit_1398647625577.jpg)

Mounted. I can't believe that people pay 100's of dollars to have this done. It's literally 15 to 20 minutes of work and less than $5 in matterial.
(http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab165/TJC10/Trents%20bucket/20140427_165407_3_bestsho_edit_1398647560825.jpg)
Title: Re: Hydrographic transfer printing, at home, Cheap.
Post by: Red Devil on April 27, 2014, 08:37:41 PM
so how much to do a metal body and full rails?
Title: Re: Hydrographic transfer printing, at home, Cheap.
Post by: TJC10 on April 28, 2014, 05:42:26 AM
Chris, I would only charge for materials. A roll of film, with some squirts of paint, activator,  and lacquer. So in the $40 range to do pretty much a whole gun, and several other things such as a helmet, radio skin, 10+ mags, and a pistol. A whole roll should cover all of that and then some.

1. I need to put out there that I am not a pro. Some parts I have done are absolutely perfect. Some have minor flaws that you have to look for to find them.

2. I need you or anyone else to strip down what they want done into smaller component parts such as hand guards, receivers, grips, sstocks, etcetera.

3. Rough up said components with a 280-320 grit sand paper. This is to let the paint stick.

4. I live in Tucson and work in Florence. You would have meet me half way ish. On Tuesday,  Thursday,  or Friday I could be in AJ or Mesa by 1630 though. It just puts me getting home around 1800 to 1900. Wouldn't mind a little gas money to drive that far out of the way.

5. One week or less for a turn around. Give it to me on Tuesday and I will have back to you on Friday.
Title: Re: Hydrographic transfer printing, at home, Cheap.
Post by: Red Devil on April 28, 2014, 05:48:40 AM
Crap, I would drive out to tucson to meet up with you. Little raid trip is always fun.
Title: Re: Hydrographic transfer printing, at home, Cheap.
Post by: TJC10 on April 28, 2014, 10:17:17 PM
Lol. You prep it, and we can dip in under an hour. I have some camo on hand. ATACS AU, multicam, woodland, and desert digital.
Title: Re: Hydrographic transfer printing, at home, Cheap.
Post by: Red Devil on April 29, 2014, 09:46:09 AM
Sounds good
Title: Re: Hydrographic transfer printing, at home, Cheap.
Post by: TJC10 on April 29, 2014, 02:14:25 PM
I will shoot you a text later. Got some teammates coming tonight.
Title: Re: Hydrographic transfer printing, at home, Cheap.
Post by: Red Devil on April 29, 2014, 04:36:30 PM
Thanks!
Title: Re: Hydrographic transfer printing, at home, Cheap.
Post by: TJC10 on April 29, 2014, 07:00:59 PM
(http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab165/TJC10/Trents%20bucket/20140429_184431_5_bestsho_edit_1398822819589.jpg)

(http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab165/TJC10/Trents%20bucket/20140429_184615_3_bestsho_edit_1398822860017.jpg)
Title: Re: Hydrographic transfer printing, at home, Cheap.
Post by: Rune on July 07, 2015, 03:42:47 PM
I realize it's been more than a year, but do you still do this?