Hydrographics For Models

[Dr. Cranky]

Folks, I am interested to find out if anyone else has tried this on models.

My friend on this video has obviously gotten some great results but it sounds like a really tricky process.

I think it has some great potential for our models.

[Casey]

That's a really cool process, and is akin to a vinyl wrap on a 1:1 car body. Not sure what the chemical used to activate the emulsion/ink(?) is though, and if it's something which can be done at home.

I think this video shows the process very well:

http://youtu.be/ZVT0l_I4MjI

You are still limited by the available patterns, but if you can clear coat the ink, I'm sure you can use additional layers to add more graphics and such.

[jeffs396]

I inquired about this awhile back, I think the biggest drawback would be out of scale graphics, as these companies are dunking much larger pieces. Some patterns would probably work though.

Now if someone would set up their tank with 1/25 scale graphics...

[Lunajammer]

I was hoping the video would be a demonstration rather than a speech, but he's pretty clear.

Every example I've seen of hydrographics shows a whole body covered in swirls, which was always lost on me unless you get a really compelling pattern or mix of colors. But while watching, I thought maybe it's best used as an accent. Maybe using it as texture under part of a two tone paint or a pattern coat under tint where the dip is not the end of the process. Handling would be less of an issue too if you're isolating the printed area.

Edited June 6, 2013 by Lunajammer

[slusher]

Looks very cool, scale and getting the process down is my concern.

[Dr. Cranky]

Yes, it's true, my only concern is making sure that the graphics are indeed in scale. Then the possibilities might be endless.

[PappyD340]

Interesting indeed!!

[crazyjim]

There was a local company called "Bling" that used this process on motorcycle parts. When I visited the shop, I inquired about putting a design (snake skin) on a model car. They told me it would be no problem, just pay them $75.00. I passed because of the cost.

[johnbuzzed]

I was hoping the video would be a demonstration rather than a speech, but he's pretty clear.

Every example I've seen of hydrographics shows a whole body covered in swirls, which was always lost on me unless you get a really compelling pattern or mix of colors. But while watching, I thought maybe it's best used as an accent. Maybe using it as texture under part of a two tone paint or a pattern coat under tint where the dip is not the end of the process. Handling would be less of an issue too if you're isolating the printed area.

Swirls? There was an article in Car Model magazine, early '70's, about applying "swirladelic" finishes using a container of water and two cans of spray paint. If I remember correctly, an updated version was in a '90's vintage issue of Car Modeler magazine.

[crazyjim]

I posted that article at least once. It's on my Photobucket if you want to look at it or print it.

http://s544.photobucket.com/user/IMcrazyjim/library/TIPS%20AND%20TECHNIQUES/Tiedye?sort=3&page=1

[cobraman]

I looked at this product awhile ago with the intention of using it on some rifle stocks. They have some good camo patterns. As said above the images are just too big to use on a model, any that I have seen anyway. There was a cool skull pattern I found and I was told I could mask and paint over the graphics but even the smallest pattern was way to large for a 1/25 scale car but perhaps a 1/8 like the 32 Ford.

[Dr. Cranky]

Ray, I think some of these graphics will indeed look pretty good on the 1/8th scales. Excellent idea.

[slusher]

Yes, it's true, my only concern is making sure that the graphics are indeed in scale. Then the possibilities might be endless.

l agree..