Hydro-printing?

[GlennGTR1]

I have seen some of the fantastic paterns and camo that is available with hydro printing or hydro dipping. I just purchased a new Tikka Super Lite this past weekend and was thinking of having the stock hydro printed with Kryptek Highlander camo. I am just wondering how resiliant this type of finish is on a hunting rifle.????????

 

[queen_stick]

If it's finished with an automotive clear coat (most hydro-dipped items are), then it will hold up to almost everything you can throw at it. Even 'cheap' clear coats will hold up to gun cleaning/lubricating chemicals. Quality clears will provide better long term quality for a couple reasons: color hold-out (UV protection), lack of yellowing, and chipping/scratching (hardness). You'd be surprised how well a cheap clear will hold up on a rifle... you don't need Glasurit clear coat ($600+ per gallon)... a basic clear coat over the water-based patterns/basecoats will do just fine.

 

[savageshooter86]

after the dip they apply a clear coat on it or similar. So it will have some protection. If it is a hunting rifle then it will get dinged and etc... But not any more than any other finish from what I have been told. Get them to put a tough clear coat over it and go hunt with it.

 

[Minesweeper3433]

I had a SW MP22 hydro dipped and clear coated for my brother for his beating cancer. I picked up the rifle on my motorcycle and drove it back to the house from the gun shop. A bolt broke through the cardboard box and rubbed the hydro dip off of a spot on the rifle after only 5 miles of smooth road. Personally I think it looks great but if it is a rifle I plan on actually using I would never get it dipped for the price. I would instead purchase a can of krylon paint and figure out how to do a similar pattern on my rifle myself.

I know that carrying the rifle on my bike wasn't the brightest idea I have had but I thought it would survive and it didn't. I was wrong but the reason I got the hydro dip was I was told it was durable and looked good. I got one of the two and because of this personally I wouldn't pay to have it done again.

 

[queen_stick]

I had a SW MP22 hydro dipped and clear coated for my brother for his beating cancer. I picked up the rifle on my motorcycle and drove it back to the house from the gun shop. A bolt broke through the cardboard box and rubbed the hydro dip off of a spot on the rifle after only 5 miles of smooth road. Personally I think it looks great but if it is a rifle I plan on actually using I would never get it dipped for the price. I would instead purchase a can of krylon paint and figure out how to do a similar pattern on my rifle myself.

I know that carrying the rifle on my bike wasn't the brightest idea I have had but I thought it would survive and it didn't. I was wrong but the reason I got the hydro dip was I was told it was durable and looked good. I got one of the two and because of this personally I wouldn't pay to have it done again.

Did it have a clear coat on it?

 

[Minesweeper3433]

Yes. Was a coat of flat clear to make the pattern stand out.

 

[queen_stick]

One thing I've found with most hydro-dipped items... the person spraying the clear does a light single coat. In most cases (something that will see wear) one coat is not enough. That MAY be part of the reason for that. (I'm not trying to talk bad about anyone out there hydro-dipping, just something that I've noticed on finished products from multiple shops).

I'm guessing that the bolt was against something that was significantly abrasive, or under a lot of pressure on a less abrasive surface. (or a combo of both) Even with a single layer of clear, it would take quite a bit to blow through the clear. The base coat and the pattern will sand/wear down like a primer. Once the clear is gone, that stuff will wear off real quick!

sucks you had a bad experience with it... nothing worse than regretting putting out some cash

 

[tenring]

I had the Edge stock on my 30BR/Nesika hydro dipped by Liquid Illusions in Chambersburg, PA several years ago. It is a since discontinued pattern called "Mothwing". You cannot see them, but there are 6 small moths in the pattern. Kevin, owner of LI found the pattern and applied it. Since the action was glued in, everything had to be stripped and the basic action tightly taped. They did a great job at a reasonable price.

http://s607.photobucket.com/user/3280enola/media/My30BRMothwingstock-1.jpg.html

 

[boltfluter]

I had the Edge stock on my 30BR/Nesika hydro dipped by Liquid Illusions in Chambersburg, PA several years ago. It is a since discontinued pattern called "Mothwing". You cannot see them, but there are 6 small moths in the pattern. Kevin, owner of LI found the pattern and applied it. Since the action was glued in, everything had to be stripped and the basic action tightly taped. They did a great job at a reasonable price.

http://s607.photobucket.com/user/3280enola/media/My30BRMothwingstock-1.jpg.html

Very cool! They did a great job considering it is a glue in.

Paul

www.boltfluting.com

 

[Raythemanroe]

I had the Edge stock on my 30BR/Nesika hydro dipped by Liquid Illusions in Chambersburg, PA several years ago. It is a since discontinued pattern called "Mothwing". You cannot see them, but there are 6 small moths in the pattern. Kevin, owner of LI found the pattern and applied it. Since the action was glued in, everything had to be stripped and the basic action tightly taped. They did a great job at a reasonable price.

http://s607.photobucket.com/user/3280enola/media/My30BRMothwingstock-1.jpg.html

Nice looking paint