How to Use the Carbon Fibre Hydro Dipping Kit on Plastic Parts

 

Today on the Hydra Water Transfer Printing blog we are going to explain how to use the carbon fibre hydro dipping kit. Want to know more? Keep reading so you don't miss a thing!

Specifically, we have chosen the Gold carbon fibre hydro dipping kit. This kit contains the following hydro dipping materials:

 

  • 1 water transfer polyvinyl film activator, 400 ml aerosol.
  • 1 basic instruction manual.
  • 2 square metres (50x400 cm) of Gold carbon fibre film (HFC-098)
  • 1 black 400 ml aerosol paint for the base coat.
  • 1 clear gloss varnish, 400 ml aerosol.
  • 1 fine sandpaper.
  • 1 roll of 18 mm masking tape.
  • 10 powdered latex gloves, size medium.
  • 1 disposable face mask.
  • 1 digital thermometer.
  • 1 universal primer (for adhesion on plastic, wood and metal)

 

kit hidroimpresión hydrawtp

 

Let's go step by step. Ready? Let's get started! 

SANDING AND DEGREASING

First of all, once the parts have been disassembled, we need to scuff their surface using the abrasive sponge or sandpaper. Once the surface has been keyed, we wipe it with a cloth and alcohol to degrease it and remove any fine particles left by sanding.

 

PRIMER

Now it is time to ensure good adhesion. To do this, we apply a primer suited to the material we are working with. In our case, since the material is plastic, we apply a coat of white universal primer. 

 

BASE COAT

Once primed and after about 15 minutes, we apply the most suitable base colour for our design. Here the design is the HFC-098 carbon fibre hydro dipping film, a gold carbon fibre, which needs the black base coat included in the hydro dipping kit. One coat is enough, but always make sure you have covered the whole surface.

  

PREPARING THE WATER

Choose a container in which the objects to be decorated fit easily, with enough room on the sides. The top surface of the water should be at about 25 degrees Celsius. With the thermometer included in the hydro dipping kit, you can keep the temperature under control.

  

PREPARING THE FILM

Place the roll of hydro dipping film on a dry surface and unroll it until you have enough film to wrap your part, but slightly smaller than the water surface of your container. Then cut that piece with a cutter. 

  

PREPARING THE FRAME

Once the film is cut, use the masking tape to make a frame of 4 strips stuck together at the corners, so that the film fits perfectly inside the frame. This means the frame should be slightly larger than the film (1 cm on each side).

  

PLACING THE FRAME AND THE FILM

Now place the frame, sticking the ends of the strips to the walls of your container, and then lay the film inside the frame. If a strip sinks, quickly place another one on top.

 

DIPPING

Lay the hydro dipping film down slowly and from corner to corner, so that no bubbles form inside the masking tape frame, and wait 90 seconds for the film to hydrate completely. Use this time to put on your gloves and face mask.

After 90 seconds, spray the activator from a distance of about 15 to 20 cm. One light pass is usually enough. After this, the hydro dipping film should look completely glassy, like a mirror. If not, apply an even lighter coat until you get the mirror effect. 

At last! Here comes the most fun part, the moment of truth. Dip the part slowly and continuously, always at an angle of 30 to 60 degrees, so that the air is pushed out and no bubbles form.

Submerge the object completely, so that the ink from the water transfer film reaches every corner of the part.

Once it is fully submerged, carefully lift it out of the container and let the ink rest for 2 minutes, so that it bonds to the black base coat applied earlier. 

 

RINSING

You need to rinse the part to remove the gel that formed during dipping and let the adhesion process continue. To do this, rinse the part under a shower of water.

Careful! Do not rub the gel layer off with your hand straight away. Wait for it to come off under a water diffuser or shower head until it is completely gone, and let the adhesion process progress. After one to two minutes, while still rinsing, you can gently feel with your fingertips for areas of the surface where gel remains, until there is no gel left on the part. Avoid spraying the part with too much water pressure.

 

VARNISHING

Varnishing the part is one of the most important steps, as it extends the protection and durability of the part. You can apply gloss varnish or matt varnish depending on your needs. A high-quality product will give your part a unique, durable and professional finish. Apply at least two coats, following the varnish manufacturer's instructions.

 

coche mini hidroimpresión

 

What did you think? Remember that in our online store you can buy materials for hydro dipping and machinery, or if you are interested in learning the water transfer printing technique you can also take our in-person training course, completely hands-on at our facilities in the city of Alicante (Spain). Feel free to contact us for more information.

 

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