Author Topic: Hydrographic transfer printing, at home, Cheap.  (Read 3904 times)

Offline TJC10

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Hydrographic transfer printing, at home, Cheap.
« 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.


Here's the skull film. I had already done one of the hand guards prior to the play by play.


This is how I measured the film. I was a little short the first time I tried so I made it a little bigger.




I cut it out. I used the excess and made tape ball handles.


I cut slits in the corners so that it could expand.


Checking the water temperature.


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.


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.


Finished parts. They need to be completely dry then lacquered with clear coat.


The whole process really took no time at all. It was the drying time that makes it more than 20 minutes to do.


Sanded stocks. Didn't take but 10 or 15 minutes.


Tan paint. Really just off white. I don't like it, and I need to find a darker Tan.


Post dipped. A little on the light side, but the pistol grip came out exceptional.


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.
I'm Nappa, and this is Vegeta. He was a prison...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wZNXK6fvNE

Offline Red Devil

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Re: Hydrographic transfer printing, at home, Cheap.
« Reply #1 on: April 27, 2014, 08:37:41 PM »
so how much to do a metal body and full rails?
82nd Airborne 1989-1993 Rangers Lead The Way

Age,fac ut gaudeam!

Offline TJC10

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Re: Hydrographic transfer printing, at home, Cheap.
« Reply #2 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.
I'm Nappa, and this is Vegeta. He was a prison...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wZNXK6fvNE

Offline Red Devil

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Re: Hydrographic transfer printing, at home, Cheap.
« Reply #3 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.
82nd Airborne 1989-1993 Rangers Lead The Way

Age,fac ut gaudeam!

Offline TJC10

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Re: Hydrographic transfer printing, at home, Cheap.
« Reply #4 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.
I'm Nappa, and this is Vegeta. He was a prison...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wZNXK6fvNE

Offline Red Devil

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Re: Hydrographic transfer printing, at home, Cheap.
« Reply #5 on: April 29, 2014, 09:46:09 AM »
Sounds good
82nd Airborne 1989-1993 Rangers Lead The Way

Age,fac ut gaudeam!

Offline TJC10

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Re: Hydrographic transfer printing, at home, Cheap.
« Reply #6 on: April 29, 2014, 02:14:25 PM »
I will shoot you a text later. Got some teammates coming tonight.
I'm Nappa, and this is Vegeta. He was a prison...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wZNXK6fvNE

Offline Red Devil

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Re: Hydrographic transfer printing, at home, Cheap.
« Reply #7 on: April 29, 2014, 04:36:30 PM »
Thanks!
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Offline TJC10

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Re: Hydrographic transfer printing, at home, Cheap.
« Reply #8 on: April 29, 2014, 07:00:59 PM »


I'm Nappa, and this is Vegeta. He was a prison...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wZNXK6fvNE

Offline Rune

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Re: Hydrographic transfer printing, at home, Cheap.
« Reply #9 on: July 07, 2015, 03:42:47 PM »
I realize it's been more than a year, but do you still do this?
~Rune~