What is activator for water transfer printing?
The activator affects the wet transfer film to cause the pattern to wrap itself evenly around the object and adhere to it. The activator is sprayed in a thick coat on the film.
What is Hydrographics activator made of?
The activator is a chemical that liquefies the ink on the hydro dip film. After you have primed the object and painted it, the item is ready for the film. Hydrographic films are made from polyvinyl alcohol.
What is needed for water transfer printing?
A spray gun and air compressor. (We recommend a DeVilbiss high efficiency spray gun because it perfectly atomizes the activator while spraying.) Primer, the selected base coat paint, and a clear acrylic paint. A Water Transfer Printing system.
What is the difference between activator A and B?
The activator A is used for fixing the pigment ink on the film. When we put the film on water, the activator B is used for liquify the film.
Can you Hydro dip without activator?
Under and over activating are two of the leading causes in problems with hydro dipping. You are not applying a layer of paint, you just need enough activator (with a fine mist, fan pattern spray) to cover the film lightly.
What is activator A?
The activator A is used for fixing the pigment ink on the film. When we put the film on water, the activator B is used for liquify the film. The blank film need both activator A and B while the printed film such as carbon fiber film only need activator B.
What liquid is used for hydro dipping?
Hydro Dipping is where paint resting on the surface of water is then transferred onto an object through dipping. It produces some psychedelic effects, is incredibly simple, and no two dips will ever look alike! To hydro dip at home, all you need is acrylic spray paint and a large bath of water.
What materials can be hydro dipped?
Hydrographics can be applied to many 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.
How do you activate hydro dipping film?
Spray the activator from side to side holding the gun approximately 12-18” from the surface in an overlapping pattern as typically done when laying down a consistent path of activator with other films. The speed this is done will determine the amount of activator being deposited.
Is there such a thing as a water transfer activator?
In chemistry, many different chemicals can produce the same effects. Therefore, there isn’t such a thing as a single best formula for activator. As we’ve said, this substance is similar to an evaporating paint thinner. And every paint thinner mixture which includes a solvent like xylene can become water transfer activator.
What do you need to know about hydrographic activator?
Before making the hydrographic activator, we need to know what exactly the process is. Hydrographic printing, a.k.a water transfer printing or film dipping, is a printing technique that allows us to paint 3-D objects. It uses a painted design called film and the pressure of hot water to work.
How does hydrographic printing work and how does it work?
Hydrographic printing, a.k.a water transfer printing, film dipping, is a printing technique that allows us to paint 3-D objects. It uses a painted design called film and the pressure of hot water to work.
How does hydro dip activator dissolve clear film?
The clear film is water-soluble and dissolves after spraying hydro dip activator. Once hydro dipping is begun, the surface tension of the water will allow the pattern to curve around any shape. Any remaining residue is then rinsed off thoroughly by rinsing station or hydrographic rinse tank.