Hydro Dipping

[Mr. Demeanor]

Now that its been out awhile, anyone have some longer term experiences with this stuff?
I have my upper and lower cowling off and lower need paint. Got thinking that carbon fiber hydro dip would look very cool. Lower mi

Might get some fuel dripped on it though. I would only do the outside but how tough is the stuff?

If you dont know what I am talking about

[Todd D]

Had a buddy do a bunch of stuff on his bass boat. It has held up pretty good on everything except the trolling motor.

[Da Bull]

We bought a drag cowl and pan from Wally at Triad that he had dipped and it`s held up well.

DB

[river rocket]

Speed Jr on the forum has Etec cowl that is hydro dipped carbon fiber. It looks really cool

[Mr. Demeanor]

My upper cowl is two piece so that could be done maybe more easily. I dont think its very expensive either for the results you get. Probabaly have at least $200 in a black paint job anyway.
I know Bobs Machine uses it and Ill find out of they use someone local.

[Todd D]

There's someone local in Ft Myers. Don't know the name but give Steve at storm boats a call and he can hook you up.

[Mr. Demeanor]

Come to think of it, because my tuner is longer than my midsection my mid stays pretty cool. Ill bet I could dip that too.

Found a local place and Ill let you guys know what they say/pricing.

[HStream1]

I have done extensive research on Hydrographic printing. The Base paint and the Film thats applied when activated and dipped wont hold up alone. Its all in the Type and quality of the clear coat applied after the film dries. I actually have plans to start doing Hydrographic printing when I expand my shop (Hopefully this winter). The cool thing about it is (On metal parts) It will withstand the heat and clear powdercoating can be applied as a barrier. For cowlings etc that will be subjected to petroleum's a good quality Epoxy clear coat or paint that is impervious to petroleum's is recommended. The other thing to remember is the film will not work/properly or adhere to already cured Powdercoating or fully cured paint/baked on paint. It has to be half cured powdercoat or freshly applied paint that has only been recently air dried. Once the activator is applied to the film it actually impregnates the painted/coated surface. So it wont work on gel coat either.

[Speed Jr.]

Going on three years....[IMG][/IMG]

[Speed Jr.]

I did it for my Comp Venom....
[IMG][/IMG]

[BeefKid]

we had my fathers tank and fenders done for his custom came out great and i agree on the good clear to protect
Had it done by a guy in jacksonville he did all the body work and everything for a very fair price imo
it

[Mr. Demeanor]

Got an estimate from a local place of $160-$180 to take it from bare aluminum, prime and paint black then dip the outside in carbon fiber pattern.
Seems very reasonable.

Ill post the results when its done. Working on some ideas for a lightweight upper cowl that Ill have done to match when its finished.

This is what it looks like now.

[Mr. Demeanor]

Opinions?

The upper and lower cowl will be carbon fiber. I think I should leave the midsection Yamaha grey to match the bracket/swivel/trim so its all Yamaha grey through middle. Progressively lighter going from top to bottom.
What about just doing the lower engine mount covers in carbon fiber dip. Cool or too busy?



Im leaving the lower unit bare aluminum with a slight polish so it will be almost black on top, grey in the middle, and silver on the bottom.

[Mr. Demeanor]

Went to pick up my pan and wasnt happy....big frigging surprise there right?

The color was wrong and didnt match the sample he showed me which matched the Yamaha grey perfect. This one had a brownish tint to it. He said he tinted the clear....why I have no idea because I wanted it like the sample.
Looking at it further found some obvious flaws. he had told me if there were any flaws he would air brush them and I would never be able to tell. Well, these black marks arent airbrushed. They look like he tried to touch it up with a sharpie.....

So, he is stripping it and redoing it. Told me it would be three weeks because he was really busy with other work. Had to explain that he hadnt finished this job yet, cancel his date for Saturday night, and get back to work. He said it would be ready in a week. He was nice about it but Im really sick of having to go through this with businesses. You get a second chance with me and thats it. Ill let you know how it turns out.

Hard to tell in the pic but it definitely had a brownish hue.

[HStream1]

I didn't want to say anything when you posted and said this "prime and paint black then dip the outside in carbon fiber pattern". First of all the base coat for carbon fiber like that is Silver not Black. Also you never tint the clear (he tried to cover up his base mistake. Also his sample was most likely pre purchased from a supplier. I could be dead wrong but thats what it looks/sounds like to me. The one very reason I haven't published I am into Hydrographic printing right now is I test everything on me first and try and perfect it before i go out public.

GOOD LUCK!!! Sorry you are having to go through this. but i will say. If I do something that a customer doesn't like. I make it right and that customer does not have to wait. I stop everything and fix the issue. Thank GOD that has only happened a couple times.