About Us

About Us

Gold Coast

Gold Coast Hydrographics is Queenslands premier Hydrographic Dipping Service we are located at

Gold Coast Hydrographics 4/16 Hutchinson Street Burleigh Heads

QLD 4220
PH B/H 0413 377 400
PH A/H 0435 642 550

[email protected]

https://www.facebook.com/goldcoasthydrographics

Owner: Blair Wylde-Browne Hydrographic Artist : Jacob Wylde-Browne

What we do ?

Product Description

Water transfer printing, also known as immersion printing, water transfer imaging, hydro dipping, watermarbling, cubic printing, Hydrographics, or HydroGraphics, is a method of applying printed designs to three-dimensional surfaces. The resulting combinations may be considered decorative art or applied art. The hydrographic process can be used on metal, plastic, glass, hard woods, and various other materials

Usage

The water transfer printing process is extensively used 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 dipped in water and can be painted using traditional techniques then the hydrographic printing process can be used.

Process

In the process, the substrate piece to be printed first goes through the entire painting process: surface preparation, priming, painting, and clear coating. Depending on some types of plastics, some substrates may also need to be flame treated before a base coat is applied. A PVA hydrographic film, which has been printed on with a desired graphic image using latex or pigment-based inks, is carefully placed on the water's surface in the dipping tank. Recommended water temperature for the dip tank is 90° F (32° C).The clear hydrographic film is water-soluble and should dwell on top of the water for 60-75 seconds before spraying with activator solution. Safely using a fitted respirator, the film is then sprayed with an activator solution to dissolve the film and return it to its fluid state. Using a 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. The ink adheres to the desired surface and it cannot be washed off easily. It is then allowed to dry.
The adhesion is a result of the chemical components of the activator softening the base coat layer and allowing the ink to form a bond with it. One of the most common causes of a failure to achieve adhesion between the two layers is a poorly applied activator. This can be either too much activator being applied or too little

Developments

Gold Coast Hydrographics has developed techniques for both paint based hydrographics as well as developing our own technique for powder coating hydrographics and are currently the only powder coating hydrographics company in operation in Australia. Powder coating hydrographics is for use on metal objects and offers a higher level of product durability over painted surfaces for object which may be receiving impacts such as work tools and engine parts.


If you have something that would look amazing with a printed surface please feel free to contact us

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