The Most Realistic Carbon Fibre Hydro Dipping Film
One of the questions we are asked most often is which is the most realistic carbon fibre hydro dipping film in our design catalogue, and our answer is always the same: without a doubt, the HFC-125.
This film has a grey and black weave on an opaque background. It is a very realistic imitation, especially with a gloss lacquer finish, and it is the favourite for high-end vehicle brands.
With a matt lacquer finish the results are also realistic and very elegant, as you can see below...
What is carbon fibre?
It is a synthetic fibre made of fine filaments 5–10 μm in diameter, composed mainly of carbon. Each carbon fibre is made up of thousands of carbon filaments. It is a synthetic fibre because it is made from polyacrylonitrile. It has mechanical properties similar to steel and is as light as wood or plastic. Thanks to its hardness, it is more impact-resistant than steel. You can find more information by clicking here.
What is a hydro dipping film made of?
The Water Transfer Printing process uses a film of water-soluble polyvinyl paper which carries the printed designs that will later be transferred to the object being decorated.
Once this film is placed on the water, it is dissolved using an activator, which turns the film into ink that floats on the surface of the water. Beforehand, the item to be decorated must be washed, sanded, primed and given a base coat to improve adhesion.
Once the part has been properly prepared, it is ready to be decorated: it is dipped and the ink of the design wraps around it thanks to the water pressure. After dipping, the part is rinsed with water to clean it and to strengthen the adhesion.
Once dry, a protective clear coat is applied to preserve the design on the part for years and give it shine. If you have more questions about this water printing craft technique, you can check our Frequently Asked Questions.
Would you like to decorate your motorcycle or vehicle? Ask us for a free, no-obligation quote, call us on ☎ 693 86 90 50 or send us photos of the parts you want to decorate by WhatsApp 693 86 90 50.
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 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.