Hydrographics is the application of a pattern piece of art (film) onto an object in order to customize it, or change its character. Unless you are paying a premium, the “wood” or “carbon fiber” in your car is created by this process as is the camouflaged guns and ATVs you see out in the wild. This application method is decades old, and requires 5 basic ingredients: paint, hydrographic film, water, activator, and a protective clear coat.
In summary the part is first painted, (most hydrographic film is semi-transparent, and the base coat influences the overall finished look). The film is then floated on the surface of warm water for a minute or two in order to soften the PVA backing. The upper-facing surface of the film is then sprayed with a hydrographic activator, which turns the film into a liquid. The painted part is then slowly lowered into the film, and the paint chemically bonds to the liquid film, leaving the part “painted” in the design of the film.
Once “dipped”, the part is the gently rinsed in water to remove any excess PVA, and allowed to dry on a rack. Once fully dry, the part is then clear coated for UV and general wear and tear protection, but also to give an array of gloss levels, from wet-look gloss down to a matte clear.
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