Hydrographics solve the problem

I made some changes just recently that others have encouraged me to post here, so I hope that you like it.

I have a 2013 RTL and last year I noticed that the rear plastic behind the wheel was getting quite oxidized, despite my use of Armour All, Lamonts Diamond product and other products, so I masked everything off and primed and painted it. It came out well and I was pleased.

This year I noticed that the dash ring and the lower side panels were getting bad but I decided that painting them was not enough. Of course the pictures above are what they looked like after I removed all the added coatings.

I have done a little Hydrodipping recently, but the complexity of these items really were too difficult for an amateur like me, so I took them to Tommy Wilkinson at www.dipwerx.com who is only about 30 miles from me and he helped me with a solution, that I was skeptical of doing myself.



So now you know, you can see for yourself, I consider it a homerun, your opinion may be different, but I like it.
If you are not familiar with Hydrodipping, just do a search on YouTube and you will find that the options are limitless.

Joe

What a great idea. It looks very nice.

Sa-weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:.... I painted another member here's Cognac and it started a " thing " ........ Can't wait to see it in person ...... Mike :thumbup:

Have seen them do wonders with the hydrodipping. We did it years ago..many many years ago floating oil paints on water and dipping paper on and picking it up. We never thought of doing paint...:banghead::banghead:

Has anyone else hydrodipped any Spyder parts?

Joe

:thumbup::thumbup: That looks great, love it!!

:thumbup: ... really nice looking.
Our grand daughters husband does a lot of hydrodipping in his workshop. The possibilities are pretty far reaching.

I've been thinking about doing my dash surround. The main problem is deciding on a pattern/color. What was the turn around time to get yours done. I'm thinking this would be a winter time project.

What they all said! Beautiful!

That looks great!!! Nice work:clap:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rmag

I've been thinking about doing my dash surround. The main problem is deciding on a pattern/color. What was the turn around time to get yours done. I'm thinking this would be a winter time project.

---

I had Tommy Wilkinson of www.dipwerx.com do mine, I was not brave enough to do these complex curves on my own. It took him about 2 weeks to complete it, but in his defense, my initial thoughts for color and such did not work out, he had to remove it and start over. He has a good eye for the design as well, I trusted him after the initial failure.

He has a day job, but spends every evening and weekend out in his shop. He is an engineer and designed most of his equipment himself. He does good work.

Joe

How does this compare to custom painting in price and durability? Seems to be a vinyl film - is that right?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by UtahPete

How does this compare to custom painting in price and durability? Seems to be a vinyl film - is that right?

---

It holds up well in most applications. I, myself, would not use it where it would be subject to bugs and their removal. Just because it is a big issue here in FL. Many car interior parts use this method for the finish on them.
Here's some info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrographics_(printing)

and there is a do it yourself kit available here: https://www.mydipkit.com/

looks good and worth the effort as you get finishes you can't get from paint

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by UtahPete

How does this compare to custom painting in price and durability? Seems to be a vinyl film - is that right?

---

I had the gauge surround and the two lower side panels hydrodipped then glossy top coat, the cost was $300. How it compares, I don't know.

I can tell you that it will hold up as well as the top coat paint that is applied as the last step in the process. How it holds up? Hydrodipping is commonly used for wheels, helmets, fenders, door panels, dashboards, gun stocks, golf clubs and more. Make sure that whoever does it on some of these parts use a flexible top coat as the parts are still plastic and do have some heat and flex to them. I know that Dipwerx used a $100 / gallon top coat on mine that remains flexible but hard at the same time.

The art of the dip is to insure that when you have curved pieces like this, that you dip it in such a manner that you reduce the distortion of the print as much as possible. That is why I did not do it myself, but hired it done.

Joe

The unique qualities of getting parts Hydrodipped is that you can get woodgrain, carbon fiber, water, cartoons, rock, flags, fabric, and much more in the pattern. Then you need to decide what color you want under the pattern as it will show through as well. So you have an entire universe of possibilities in the combination of the pattern you want and the color that they will be, when done.
Again, check out a YouTube search for Hydrodipping for a better understanding of how it works. It is a relatively new process and there may be those that do it near you.

Joe

[QUOTE=UtahPete;1352535]How does this compare to custom painting in price and durability? Seems to be a vinyl film - is that right?[ .................................................. .................................................. ................................ I have painted a couple of dash surrounds , mine and Deanna777 's ,.... you can see Hers on any of Her posts ....it's Cognac ..... I spent about $15.00 in Paint...... Hers & mine still look like it was just painted ....it's not really a WEAR item considering where it is.........................Mike :thumbup:

I'd like to get my dash surround dipped as well. I'm partial to a burled elm look; I think it would go well with my circuit yellow RT-S. Unfortunately, there's no one local that does that, except a few "good ol' boys" who hydrodip guns (Glocks, mostly).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fat Baxter

I'd like to get my dash surround dipped as well. I'm partial to a burled elm look; I think it would go well with my circuit yellow RT-S. Unfortunately, there's no one local that does that, except a few "good ol' boys" who hydrodip guns (Glocks, mostly).

---

I am sure that Tommy can do it for you through the mail. He has a pretty good eye for design as well so if you send him pictures and some ideas he will work to get it done for you.

www.dipwerx.com

If you do a Bing search for hydrodipping companies you will find a lot of them either close or far.
Go on Amazon, the web or EBay and find the patterns you wish to use, there are thousands of them out there.
https://watertransferprinting.com/pr...lm/wood-grain/

Or check out their other patterns.

or this supplier: https://www.liquidprintone.com/produ...-film-gallery/

Joe

WOW that looks Fantastic. I had to do a search and found that Wichita does have a place that does this.

Very nice! Really sets the dash off.

I had never heard of that type of painting. It's an interesting concept that has a lot of potential. :thumbup:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Buckeye Bleau

Has anyone else hydrodipped any Spyder parts?

Joe

---

Does my helmet count? :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gilda

Does my helmet count? :D

---

Indded it does, show us yours! :roflblack::roflblack:

Joe