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CRC Hydrographics is Finally Rolling

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proorange

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It's been a long road but we are finally rolling again. Making the transition from fab to hydrographics has been quite an experience with with many lessons learned and many more to come.
Anyway, wanted to post some pictures of some of the things we do.

Radiator%20Hold%20Down%202.jpg


GW%20Knife1.jpg


SS%20SBC%204.jpg


ACB%20CF%201.jpg


BBC%20CF%201.jpg
 
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ishiboo

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Oshkosh, WI
Is this where the items are "dipped" into the film or whatever to produce the graphics on the part?

I saw an "ultimate factories" or similar type of show with a bow manufacturer who had started using this process for camo on their bows... very interesting to see a part dipped in a tank and come out with a complex pattern painted on it!

Cool!

What are the capabilities/costs of the process?
 
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copterdoctor

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Wasilla Alaska
ishiboo said:
Is this where the items are "dipped" into the film or whatever to produce the graphics on the part?

I saw an "ultimate factories" or similar type of show with a bow manufacturer who had started using this process for camo on their bows... very interesting to see a part dipped in a tank and come out with a complex pattern painted on it!

Cool!

What are the capabilities/costs of the process?
Click to expand...

I'd like to learn more about this too... looks killer.
OP,would you post a video on the process???
 
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proorange

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Priceville, Alabama
ishiboo said:
Is this where the items are "dipped" into the film or whatever to produce the graphics on the part?

I saw an "ultimate factories" or similar type of show with a bow manufacturer who had started using this process for camo on their bows... very interesting to see a part dipped in a tank and come out with a complex pattern painted on it!

Cool!

What are the capabilities/costs of the process?
Click to expand...

Yes, The film is laid on the water for a predetermined time then we spray an activator on the film which dissolves the backing and turns the print into a liquid. Then you dip the part into the film and the water becomes the press that wraps the film.

This finish can be applied to just about any surface in hundreds of patterns including camouflage, carbon fiber, woodgrains, etc. It is widely used in the firearms and automotive industry. This is the same procedure that Browning, Bushnell & Remington uses.
 
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proorange

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Weld-It Fab said:
Jeff,

How durable is the finish? What is the average cost per square inch of the finish?
Click to expand...

The finish is very durable. This is the same coating the major gun and bow manufacturers use to camo their stuff. It has been used for quit a while and is very well proven. The solid colors are the same coating without the camo film included so durability is the same.

Square inch pricing is something we don't do much of because it varies with the size. If we do a set of SB valve covers at .40 per square inch it would cost a lot more than what we actually charge which is $125.00. That cost includes a chemical bath, primer, base coat, dip then your clear coat. We use all PPG paint and clear for everything except weapons.
 
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padronanniversary

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how heat resistant is the dip ? I mean, I saw it was in the engine compartment, as well as the forearm of a ar15. Can you put it directly on a barrel, or for that matter on an engine ?
 
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Weld-It Fab

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Phoenix, Arizona
proorange said:
The finish is very durable. This is the same coating the major gun and bow manufacturers use to camo their stuff. It has been used for quit a while and is very well proven. The solid colors are the same coating without the camo film included so durability is the same.

Square inch pricing is something we don't do much of because it varies with the size. If we do a set of SB valve covers at .40 per square inch it would cost a lot more than what we actually charge which is $125.00. That cost includes a chemical bath, primer, base coat, dip then your clear coat. We use all PPG paint and clear for everything except weapons.
Click to expand...

Jeff,

Thanks for the reply. What is the largest practical size of the part to be coated? Also, do you know of any companies in the Phoenix area that are doing this process?
 
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proorange

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Weld-It Fab said:
Jeff,

Thanks for the reply. What is the largest practical size of the part to be coated? Also, do you know of any companies in the Phoenix area that are doing this process?
Click to expand...

It depends on the tank. Our processing area with present tank is 48"x24" but our new tank will be 80"x51". With the new tank we will be able to do ATV bodies and aluminum race car wings.

Not sure of anyone in Phoenix, we actually have several customers in Arizona including a weapon manufacturer.
 
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red baron

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Looks pretty cool, I see some wood grained dashed coming your way soon lol.
 
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proorange

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padronanniversary said:
how heat resistant is the dip ? I mean, I saw it was in the engine compartment, as well as the forearm of a ar15. Can you put it directly on a barrel, or for that matter on an engine ?
Click to expand...

Our field tech tells us 275-300 degrees. We've done several intakes, valve covers, etc... with no problems. The turbo housing we did see's about 225 degrees and it still looks the same, not even a hint of fade.
We do many barrels but we do caution people who use them on assault rifles that rapid fire can build lots of heat so we really don't like to do those barrels. Hunting rifles is a different story. We do those all the time.
 
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proorange

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red baron said:
Looks pretty cool, I see some wood grained dashed coming your way soon lol.
Click to expand...

Would love to do that for you. We are in the beginning stages of doing custom cabinets for a local home builder. They have some really beautiful woodgrains along with marble and other designer films.
 
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copterdoctor

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PAToyota said:
Am I at the right place? I only found two carbon fiber prints, two skull prints and a waterdrop motif, and a bazillion camo designs...
Click to expand...

ya same here.... I'd also like to see what other designs are available... a bunch of camo,2 skull designs, and 2 carbon fibers don't seem like much...

Edit: not trying to knock this at all... hope I don't sound rude... :)
I'm really interested in this is all.. got an AR I'd like to "soup up"....
 
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PAToyota

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For parts like the gun or scope, I'm assuming that you either do a side at a time or are able to "roll" the part to wrap the image around the part. Could you show a "match line" where it comes together? And how do you typically handle such issues?
 
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