Learn How to Hydro Dip a Motorcycle Gas Tank
Have you ever wanted to have a bike with customized painting on the tank? Customized paint jobs communicate a lot about the bike and the owner. Fire graphics can indicate the bike’s power, and so forth. The process is easy and doesn’t take much time. All you need to do is follow an expert guide on how to make a perfect dip.
Smoothen the motorcycle tank
Before you begin hydro dipping, the first process is to ensure the original paint is either removed or scuffed up if it is not chipping or flaking off. You want to start off with a paint-free tank for the best results if possible. You can scuff the existing paint but you may risk having a failure down the road if the coating is not properly adhered to the surface. The best approach is to use paint remover to remove the paint from the tank. Removing the paint ensures the tank is free from any existing coatings. Plus, the original paint will not affect the new one.
Spray paint in a uniform color
After removing the original paint, you can repaint the tank in a uniform color. The color white is preferable because it blends with most all films. Make sure to primer the tank for the best adhesion. Then, paint the tank with a lighter coat of white to avoid having excess paint. This will help in reducing any sags or runs that could possibly occur in the paint.
Prepare the tank for dipping
If you have a shallow water container, you can divide the tank into two sections. Lay tape down to mark the middle of the tank horizontally. Then cover the other half with a bag, tape or even paper. Dividing it into half prevents the stretch on the film and the tank. This will also ensure it comes out uniformly despite dipping the tank at different times into the water.
Dipping the custom film with backings into the water
If you are using custom printed hydrographic film, it will come with two sides. Peel off the backing from the film and throw away the clear liner. The side that the backing was stuck to is the side that goes down onto the water. Lay the film down at a slight angle to help in preventing any trapped air underneath the film. You can blow it in order to remove any trapped air bubbles.
Setting the dividers and spraying the activator
Set the dividers in position and make sure they can cover the area of the film. The custom film water temperature should be at 80 to 90 degrees for best results. Let it sit for 60-90 seconds on the water to hydrate. Once the timer goes off and the film has soaked in the water for the allotted time, start spraying the activator on the custom film within the divider area.
Dip the tank into the water
Now place the entire part that’s not covered into the water. After dipping the first part, rinse it, dry the tank, and tape the already dipped side. If you dipped the whole tank, rinse it, and allow it to dry. If you have a deep enough container there may be no need to divide the tank into two dips. You can possibly dip the whole tank into the water.
Conclusion
A hydro dip gives your bike tank a perfect and attractive look. It can also communicate your love and commitment to the bike. A perfect hydrographic covering on the tank also makes the bike completely unique.
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