HYDROGRAPHICS
Water Transfer Printing, or hydrographics, is a surface decorating process where elaborate graphics like wood grain, carbon fiber, camouflage, and designer prints are applied to a 3-D product’s surface.
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The Water Transfer Printing process is used extensively to decorate items that range from entire all-terrain vehicles and car dashboards to small items like bike helmets or other automotive trim. Films can be applied to all types of substrates including plastic, fiberglass, wood, ceramics, and metal. For the most part, if the item can be submerged in water, it can be dipped using Water Transfer Printing technology.
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The process utilizes a water-soluble film that contains complex patterns printed in ink. The film dissolves in the water and leaves the ink on the surface. In the typical process, the item is first coated with a primer or an adhesion promoter. After the primer is dry, a base-coat paint is applied which controls the hue of the pattern. Many hydrographic films are transparent which means you can achieve unique designs by customizing the base coat colors. For example, wood grain films often utilize a brown base coat and many camouflage patterns use a required base coat color to maintain the integrity of the pattern.
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After the base coat is applied, the item is ready for decorating. The film is activated. The item is then dipped into the water and the ink wraps around it. Excess PVA residue is then washed off, the part is dried, and a clear top coat is applied.
BENEFITS
Cost-effective, dynamic, and high quality technique to apply complex artwork onto
3-dimensional objects with consistent results in pattern duplication.
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USES
Firearms & Hunting
Military
Automotive
Aviation / Aerospace
Eyewear
Architecture
Electronics
Medical Equipment
Sports Gear
OEM Process
& Much More
FILM PATTERNS
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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What is CERAKOTE®?CERAKOTE® is a ceramic based finish that can be applied to metals, plastics, polymers and wood. The unique formulation used for CERAKOTE® ceramic coating enhances a number of physical performance properties including: Abrasion and Wear Resistance Corrosion Resistance Chemical Resistance Impact Resistance Hardness Each of these properties is rigorously tested to guarantee that CERAKOTE® products remain at the forefront of the ceramic coatings market. CERAKOTE®ceramic coatings utilize state-of-the-art technology to out-perform any competitive coating in both laboratory settings and real world applications.
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Will CERAKOTE® rust?The greatest threat to firearms is rust. CERAKOTE® prevents rust exponentially better than any other firearms finish on the market. When subjected to salt chamber testing against other firearms finishes, CERAKOTE® outperformed every other finish by leaps and bounds. CERAKOTE® Elite Series lasted nearly 3000 hours in the chamber before it showed any signs of rust. By contrast, basic bluing lasted less than 24 hours.
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Will CERAKOTE® wear off?As with all finishes, CERAKOTE® will wear over time if it is subjected to regular use. What sets CERAKOTE® apart from every other finish on the market is not that it is impervious to wear, it is that CERAKOTE® resist wear far better than its competitors; hundreds of times better to be more specific.