Hydrographics Visit

59 Comments
Last updated: 26/01/2017

Review
Guns For Sale
Comments

Hydrographics are a long established firm with an enviable reputation for quality. Jon Sykes, the main man, was a shooter before he turned his hand to dipping things in big tanks of water. I knew Jon from years ago on the Field target circuit. Over the years Hydrographics have dipped half a dozen rifles, stocks and scopes for me as well as making custom parts for my airguns and firearms. It was high time I made a revisit to see how they are getting on, and I was shocked to see a much bigger range of patterns available than when I went there a few years ago.

Fancy A Dip?

First, a re-cap on the dipping process. A clue to the process they use is in the name, Hydrographics, as hydro of course suggests water. It is a very clever process where patterns are printed on P.V.A.film which can be dissolved just leaving the printed ink pattern. A suitable size piece of film is cut from a roll and floated on the surface of a large stainless steel water filled tank. An activator is then sprayed over the film. This dissolves the P.V.A. carrier film leaving the printed ink pattern floating perfectly in place on the surface of the water. The previously background colour sprayed article is then dipped through the layer of ink into the water. The ink is picked up by the painted surface of the article, leaving a perfect pattern as printed on the P.V.A. film in the first place. Very, very clever indeed. It’s fascinating to watch. The shape of the article doesn’t matter. The water carrying the ink flows over the items surface as it is “dipped” into the water. It will cover any surface, no matter how detailed. When you actually see it in action, it really does blow your mind. The ink flows into the checkering of a stock or engraved letters on an action. Jon did explain that the ink does not stick to itself leaving a double pattern - something to do with the chemical properties of the ink.

Patterns and Colours

Hydrographics have a big range of camouflage patterns and have a licence from Realtree of America to dip their patterns. Camo is not the only thing they can do. They have many carbon fibre patterns, dollar bills, chequer plate, and so on. The skull patterns are proving very, very popular and there was a March FX scope being dipped in skulls over silver when I was there. March scopes cost thousands of pounds but as long as the scope to be dipped is waterproof it suffers no ill effects. Jon was keen to stress that any scope is dipped at the owner’s risk, it has to be that way, as the company can’t be held responsibleif a customer’s scope isn’t waterproof. All reasonable quality scopes are waterproof and I have had many scopes dipped and never had a single problem.

story continues below...

Remember also that the base to be dipped over can be any colour any you want. A popular one is to have a silver base with a Realtreecamo pattern over it. I had this done on my Remington 700, as well as having adjustable cheek pieces and butt pad done by Hydrographics at the same time. I also have four stocks on airguns with an orange base over a simple camo pattern, very striking they are too. They can match virtually anything and have over 40,000 colours to choose from, yes forty thousand. After dipping the residues of the P.V.A carrier film and activator has to be washed off. A dousing under a bank of shower heads in another custom made tank sorts that out. Once dried that only leaves a coat of hard wearing lacquer of your choice. Again top quality car lacquers are used. Matt or gloss, it’s up to you. Hunters should go for the matt to cut down on tell-tale reflections. Hydrographicshas a new very tough matt finish which is very popular with hunters.

Camo choice has a lot to do with personal preference and experience in the field as well as where and when you hunt, so people will prefer different patterns. I do like his new digital patterns and he does an A-TACS style too. He can even dip a beech wood stock to look like high grade walnut. There are also various rain drop patterns, making it look like you have rain drops on the surface.

Rejuvenating

If you are having the whole gun done Jon first has to strip and clean everything.
The surface to be painted and dipped is rubbed with fine abrasive paper to provide a keying surface for the paint. Once stripped down and sanded, certain bits have to be sealed too. The barrel and other delicate bits like the lenses of scopes and lasers. Once all dried off from the top coat, Jon puts everything back together again. The result is spectacular when a whole gun is done. Many old guns with rusty actions have been given a whole new lease of life after the Hydrographics treatment. I had a dent in a scope (dropped getting over a fence!) and Jon filled this in and dipped the scope along with the mounts, that was ten years ago and it’s still as good as new.

They can and have coloured everything from phones to aeroplanes. Dipping is limited to what they can fit in the tank, although it is a big tank. To give you an idea of how big the tank is, they have been dipping bike frames recently. However, they also do first-class spray painting and other custom finishes as required.

click on image to enlarge
click on image to enlarge
click on image to enlarge
click on image to enlarge
click on image to enlarge
click on image to enlarge
click on image to enlarge
click on image to enlarge
click on image to enlarge
click on image to enlarge
click on image to enlarge
click on image to enlarge
click on image to enlarge
click on image to enlarge
click on image to enlarge
click on image to enlarge

59 Comments

clindamycin cheap <a href="https://tamoxifenc.com/">nolvadex 20mg cost</a> budesonide pill

#210465

Xadqqu
11 Aug 2022 at 01:55 AM
flagyl brand <a href="https://bactrimln.com/">bactrim 960mg cheap</a> metformin 500mg price

#209770

Kjjkiz
09 Aug 2022 at 06:44 PM
order zithromax without prescription <a href="https://metformil.com/">glucophage cheap</a> buy metformin for sale

#209030

Gzbbou
08 Aug 2022 at 12:34 PM
fluconazole order online <a href="https://ampicillinsx.com/">buy ampicillin 250mg without prescription</a> sildenafil 150mg uk

#207633

Zfwpsh
05 Aug 2022 at 11:43 PM
order generic ondansetron 8mg <a href="https://valtrlx.com/">buy generic valacyclovir</a> propecia 1mg us

#205383

Htrtnt
04 Aug 2022 at 04:08 AM
ranitidine 150mg sale <a href="https://zantasp.com/">buy zantac 150mg pill</a> tamsulosin for sale online

#203225

Bxfbbn
02 Aug 2022 at 09:39 PM
cheap cialis sale <a href="https://dutasteridel.com/">purchase dutasteride online</a> order dutasteride generic

#201113

Oikixc
01 Aug 2022 at 02:50 PM
nexium 20mg canada <a href="https://sidenafilppl.com/">rx pharmacy online viagra</a> buy cialis 5mg pill

#198948

Kgxfqt
31 Jul 2022 at 07:26 AM
order sildalis for sale <a href="https://estracpl.com/">estradiol drug</a> losartan 25mg uk

#196807

Dnuruw
30 Jul 2022 at 12:00 AM
accutane online order <a href="https://aurograpl.com/">buy aurogra 50mg for sale</a> cheap sildenafil

#194518

Yjnzmq
28 Jul 2022 at 12:40 PM
viagra 100mg pills for sale <a href="https://cialiedfs.com/">order cialis 5mg</a> deltasone ca

#192404

Lgnzbm
27 Jul 2022 at 04:52 AM
order methotrexate 5mg for sale <a href="https://metoclopramy.com/">buy metoclopramide 10mg online cheap</a> purchase metoclopramide

#190306

Mynxxk
25 Jul 2022 at 09:17 PM
flexeril medication <a href="https://ketorolacbuy.com/">buy toradol pill</a> order generic plavix

#188255

Zjvzaf
24 Jul 2022 at 12:24 PM
order ezetimibe 10mg without prescription <a href="https://tetracyclinbuy.com/">tetracycline 250mg us</a> motilium ca

#186102

Bqtltx
22 Jul 2022 at 11:23 PM
viagra for men over 50 <a href="https://rosuvastans.com/">buy crestor 10mg for sale</a> cialis usa

#183767

Oomnav
21 Jul 2022 at 02:00 AM
generic prilosec 20mg <a href="https://vafdlevit.com/">purchase levitra generic</a> methylprednisolone 16 mg tablet

#182017

Voqtmi
18 Jul 2022 at 05:05 PM
buy baricitinib 4mg online - <a href="https://metforminf.com/">purchase metformin pills</a> brand lisinopril 10mg

#180011

Gazumx
17 Jul 2022 at 01:32 PM
buy plaquenil 400mg generic - <a href="https://casletadal.com/">buy tadalafil generic</a> buy cenforce 100mg generic

#178078

Mozcgo
16 Jul 2022 at 03:43 AM
plaquenil pill - <a href="https://cenforced.com/">cenforce medication</a> cenforce usa

#177658

Tnrvkg
15 Jul 2022 at 09:25 PM
buy neurontin 100mg online - <a href="https://gdoxycycline.com/">order stromectol 12mg online</a> ivermectin 12 mg

#175431

Juwitv
14 Jul 2022 at 01:02 AM
prednisone 20mg us - <a href="https://damoxicillin.com/">buy amoxicillin 250mg generic</a> order prednisolone 20mg without prescription

#173277

Rejqaj
12 Jul 2022 at 10:18 AM
best otc ed pills - <a href="https://edpillsfsale.com/">buy ed pills online</a> viagra 100mg bestellen

#171234

Yalaxn
10 Jul 2022 at 11:34 PM
order fildena pills - <a href="https://fildenapl.com/">fildena 100mg cost</a> viagra 50mg ca

#169160

Eqfpkz
09 Jul 2022 at 03:55 PM
metronidazole 200mg generic - <a href="https://bactriml.com/">sulfamethoxazole uk</a> order cephalexin 125mg for sale

#167312

Ennobo
08 Jul 2022 at 11:20 AM
order finasteride sale - <a href="https://ampicillinmd.com/">ampicillin 250mg ca</a> cheap cipro 1000mg

#165200

Wcerwe
07 Jul 2022 at 02:35 AM
purchase zofran pill - <a href="https://valacyclovirs.com/">valtrex online buy</a> buy valacyclovir for sale

#162337

Crvkoy
04 Jul 2022 at 12:15 AM
order cialis - <a href="https://meloxicamr.com/">meloxicam generic</a> tamsulosin tablet

#161121

Hjrbwe
03 Jul 2022 at 02:24 AM
order levofloxacin 500mg generic - <a href="https://viagplls.com/">sildenafil mail order us</a> tadalafil 40mg price

#158774

Iribep
01 Jul 2022 at 12:44 PM
buy cozaar - <a href="https://losartann.com/">cozaar without prescription</a> promethazine over the counter

#156138

Gidpdn
29 Jun 2022 at 08:46 AM
clopidogrel order online - <a href="https://tmethotrexate.com/">methotrexate 10mg cost</a> generic reglan 20mg

#154531

Mcoexf
27 Jun 2022 at 04:07 PM
order flexeril 15mg sale - <a href="https://rcolchicine.com/">colchicine for sale online</a> buy inderal online cheap

#152952

Xtuenl
25 Jun 2022 at 10:25 PM
order isotretinoin online cheap - <a href="https://ramoxicillinp.com/">buy amoxil 250mg without prescription</a> purchase tetracycline online cheap

#151314

Prvbpn
24 Jun 2022 at 05:44 AM
modafinil 200mg brand - <a href="https://rbudesonide.com/">purchase budesonide generic</a> buy rhinocort sale

#149685

Qvksro
22 Jun 2022 at 09:56 AM
cheap viagra pill - <a href="https://fsildenafil.store/">viagra pills 200mg</a> cialis 5mg pills

#148114

Uauhzq
20 Jun 2022 at 10:09 PM
buy cenforce 50mg pill - <a href="https://cenforcer.com/">generic cenforce 50mg</a> buy motilium generic

#146270

Kchexg
19 Jun 2022 at 01:08 PM
purchase prednisone - <a href="https://prednisoneix.com/">prednisone 10mg tablet</a> amoxil for sale

#144432

Azxzgu
16 Jun 2022 at 07:56 AM
order cialis 5mg online - <a href="https://edtadxs.com/">purchase cialis without prescription</a> sildenafil online order

#142306

Awslaf
14 Jun 2022 at 12:44 PM
synthroid 75mcg drug - <a href="https://desloratadi.store/">desloratadine for sale online</a> order hydroxychloroquine 200mg pill

#140267

Nkylqm
13 Jun 2022 at 01:23 AM
generic albuterol 4mg - <a href="https://xdapoxetine.com/">brand dapoxetine 30mg</a> dapoxetine 60mg usa

#138149

Smfnoq
11 Jun 2022 at 01:25 PM
buy generic vardenafil 20mg - <a href="https://methylpred.store/">medrol 8mg pills</a> clomiphene usa

#135953

Ssfkyb
09 Jun 2022 at 10:27 PM
lisinopril pill - <a href="https://hydlisinopr.com/">lisinopril 5mg drug</a> order tenormin for sale

#133952

Cvprwi
08 Jun 2022 at 10:33 AM
glucophage 1000mg sale - <a href="https://atorvastatin.store/">lipitor 10mg tablet</a> order amlodipine 10mg for sale

#132207

Tsqpox
06 Jun 2022 at 09:42 PM
order plaquenil 400mg sale - <a href="https://chloroquins.com/">buy chloroquine 250mg sale</a> cost baricitinib 2mg

#130307

Ticevh
05 Jun 2022 at 07:55 AM
order lasix sale - <a href="https://ivermecptin.com/">buy ivermectin 12mg</a> stromectol prices

#128408

Lddzcf
03 Jun 2022 at 05:04 PM
order prednisolone 10mg generic - <a href="https://viagsildss.com/">viagra for men over 50</a> sildenafil 50mg us

#126448

Vsodqt
02 Jun 2022 at 01:05 AM
buy generic amoxil 250mg - <a href="https://azithromycpl.com/">azithromycin 500mg without prescription</a> sildenafil price

#124529

Mrynep
31 May 2022 at 11:30 AM
buy prednisone generic - <a href="https://edpill.store/">best ed pills non prescription</a> accutane 10mg uk

#122655

Qnzoey
30 May 2022 at 02:30 AM
buy tadalafil 5mg - <a href="https://pharmpill.store/">legal canadian pharmacy online</a> provigil 100mg for sale

#120744

Abnwxy
28 May 2022 at 05:35 PM
order doxycycline 200mg generic - <a href="https://doxycyclineg.store/">buy doxycycline 100mg without prescription</a> cialis from india

#118761

Bvfkzv
26 May 2022 at 09:05 PM
amoxicillin 500mg canada - <a href="https://zithromycinc.store/">zithromax price</a> levitra 20mg us

#115623

Bregal
23 May 2022 at 10:44 PM
ampicillin 500mg for sale - <a href="https://ciproflox.store/">cipro 500mg over the counter</a> buy cialis 40mg

#113621

Tbjlkj
21 May 2022 at 09:27 PM
cefuroxime canada - <a href="https://robaxinx.store/">robaxin online buy</a> cheap tadalafil generic

#111716

Gqrdxo
20 May 2022 at 10:40 AM
budesonide online order - <a href="https://xantabuse.quest/">antabuse 500mg us</a> buy disulfiram generic

#109818

Gwesru
18 May 2022 at 11:20 PM
purchase fildena pills - <a href="https://fildenax.store/">sildenafil 50mg drug</a> ivermectin 24 mg

#107889

Esjolz
17 May 2022 at 10:42 AM
cephalexin cost - <a href="https://cephalexinx.store/">order cephalexin 500mg pill</a> erythromycin usa

#106347

Vdbexh
15 May 2022 at 10:19 AM
buy generic sulfamethoxazole - <a href="https://bactrimx.store/">trimethoprim us</a> viagra us

#104216

Vqwvgt
13 May 2022 at 03:54 AM
augmentin tablet - <a href="https://gaugmentin.store/">buy augmentin 625mg online</a> purchase cialis without prescription

#102054

Tonggf
10 May 2022 at 06:12 PM
prednisolone 10mg uk - <a href="https://cialisxb.store/">generic cialis canada</a> order cialis 20mg for sale

#99591

Ulnrjc
08 May 2022 at 04:43 AM
viagra pills - <a href="https://bestusasild.com/">order sildenafil 50mg sale</a> sildenafil 100mg for sale

#95997

Kvjyyy
03 May 2022 at 09:04 PM