Not sure if this has been shared before but I thought it was pretty cool!
What do you guys think? Yay or Nay?
What do you guys think? Yay or Nay?
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Water Transfer Printing!
- Thread starter Bulletproof
- Start date
I'm sure it would last on interior pieces but it would be interesting to see how long it would last on wheels and other parts exposed to the elements
Gizmotoy
Active Member
I've seen this used on motorcycle helmets and such that see outdoor use and they cover this paint with a clear coat to protect it.
This is hydrographic - few years old technology, easy to apply but wasn't cheap to but patterns, I'm not sure what the price is now for patterns but everybody can do it at home. As I know it is much better then plasti dip - stronger but some people add on exterior stuff clear coat (spray or vinyl) to be sure of good protection.
Explanation of the process from Wikipedia
The water transfer printing process is extensively used to decorate items that range from entire all-terrain vehicles and car dashboards, to small items like bike helmets or other automotive trim. Films can be applied to all types of substrates including plastic, fiberglass, wood, ceramics, and metal.
For the most part, if the item can be dipped in water and can be painted using traditional techniques then the hydrographic printing process can be used.
In the process, the substrate piece to be printed is pre-treated and a base coat material is applied. A polyvinyl alcohol film is gravure-printed with the graphic image to be transferred, and is then floated on the surface of a vat of water.
An activator chemical is sprayed on the film to dissolve it into a liquid and activate a bonding agent.The piece is then lowered into the vat through the floating ink layer.
The ink layer along with the polyvinyl alcohol backing then wraps around and adheres to the item. The adhesion is a result of the chemical components of the activator softening the base coat layer and allowing the ink to form a bond with it.
One of the most common causes of a failure to achieve adhesion between the two layers is a poorly applied activator. This can be either too much activator being applied or too little.
The water transfer printing process is extensively used to decorate items that range from entire all-terrain vehicles and car dashboards, to small items like bike helmets or other automotive trim. Films can be applied to all types of substrates including plastic, fiberglass, wood, ceramics, and metal.
For the most part, if the item can be dipped in water and can be painted using traditional techniques then the hydrographic printing process can be used.
In the process, the substrate piece to be printed is pre-treated and a base coat material is applied. A polyvinyl alcohol film is gravure-printed with the graphic image to be transferred, and is then floated on the surface of a vat of water.
An activator chemical is sprayed on the film to dissolve it into a liquid and activate a bonding agent.The piece is then lowered into the vat through the floating ink layer.
The ink layer along with the polyvinyl alcohol backing then wraps around and adheres to the item. The adhesion is a result of the chemical components of the activator softening the base coat layer and allowing the ink to form a bond with it.
One of the most common causes of a failure to achieve adhesion between the two layers is a poorly applied activator. This can be either too much activator being applied or too little.
Vince Cobelo
Member
Ok...has anyone done this to a Tesla with stock wheels?
I was thinking about going to aftermarket wheels but then got to thinking what do I do with the old ones. They aren't worth much. So...why not give this a try? Would need to find someone that does this sorta thing but there isn't much to lose and I can get more creative. I have done hydro dipping on small parts for my jetskis at home and it works great. I don't think I could do it with something as large as wheels (my wife would freak if I used the bathtub).
I was thinking about going to aftermarket wheels but then got to thinking what do I do with the old ones. They aren't worth much. So...why not give this a try? Would need to find someone that does this sorta thing but there isn't much to lose and I can get more creative. I have done hydro dipping on small parts for my jetskis at home and it works great. I don't think I could do it with something as large as wheels (my wife would freak if I used the bathtub).
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