Darren. Awesome vid Mate. I love when people sidetrack the big companies that charge out the ass for simple stuff. They think it's some top secret formula for gold. Great job.
For the ones asking why he didn't use the first thinner he shows (De Beer), from what I understand the store where he buy the stuff didn't have anymore of that brand so he switched to the next brand in stock (Duxone). Both of them are standard thinners and do basicaly the same thing.
Shadowmere450 amigo el duxone es un diluyente o disolvente ??? es lo mismo ? amigo se puede ocupar un diluyente de pintura de automovil sirve o no sirve ,me puede servir ese diluyente ? ademas me puedes ayudar con las % de cada uno del xileno y el diluyente cuanto es de cada uno la mezcla saludos
I had done my own research and had an idea about using 2k thinner & xylene. However, it's great to see someone who's had first-hand experience of actually mixing it and using it and to sharing with us the ideal percentage mix. Also, great tip about universal thinner being the prefered option, it was also comforting to know that there isn't a heavy smell lingering in the workshop after using it ... as many who have a vested interest in selling hydrographic activator would have you believe. Well done and thanks for taking your time to share with us!
Hi Alan, personally, I think there is so much hype surrounding activator and the poor uneducated end user just falls for it. I actually wouldnt care if the price was reasonable but some of the prices being asked is outright extorsion! Also, like you point out, a lot of producers of "help" videos have a hidden agenda with their own products/training courses to sell. I dont sell or market anything, I just run a small hydrographics shop and I have nothing to gain by sharing this information.
Dude....I mean I live in the u.s. where activator is easy to get but I'm dipping constantly. Even when I don't have any customers at the moment I dip my own stuff as practice so I burn through it FAST. all the recipes I've seen seem super complicated and always involves at least one thing I can't find. I know this video is 9 years old but if this comment reaches you man....THANK YOU! I will be trying it very soon
Oren Broder amigo el duxone es un diluyente o disolvente ??? es lo mismo ? amigo se puede ocupar un diluyente de pintura de automovil sirve o no sirve ,me puede servir ese diluyente ? ademas me puedes ayudar con las % de cada uno del xileno y el diluyente cuanto es de cada uno la mezcla saludos
excellent advice and simple! you and your videos have answered many of my questions about hydro dipping that the usual Google searches cannot. Appreciated, hope business flows well for you. I noticed a whopping 2092 LIKES and 44 thumbs down ''dislikes'' guess they are mainly the suppliers of activator!! too funny. i will be experimenting with your percentages, thanks again
Thank you so much for this comment! I have been trying to figure out if he was talking about a lacquer type thinner or a urethane grade reducer. Turns out they call reducer thinner overseas
You are a bloody legend mate!! Im in NZ and struggle to get activator too. Unless you want to spend a fortune. Im trying your method next week when my film shows up! Again thank you
I know this is an old video but here goes Does the paint have to be fresh or can I dip my part onto the factory paint on my dash parts after o good clean?
thanks alot for your video, was using activator i got off ebay and having bad results, since then i made my own activator with your formula and having great progress even some perfect finishes finally :)
good day sir. i am darn far from you and my spelling sucks. sorry for that. just want to say thank you for the recipe. i tried buying shipping and making my own. you're recipe i started using last week. and so far it is better than the lot i buy. thank you so much. and please don't ever stop helping other people. you are amazing. and thank you again. now i just need to get a place where i can buy the film cheaper.
Hi.. I'm in Canada.. Wondering if you can lend any advice on diy hydro dipping.... Mostly I'm interested in how to use 2k clear.... I was told it can cause paint to run unless fully cured.... Now I was told to let fully cure. Then wet sand. Then 2k clear.... But I don't wanna sand my hydrographic design... Plus I should mention I'm using all spay cans. Not 2 parts from gun. So after my hydro dip... Wait an hour. Clear with one part enamel clear. Then let dry and cure. Then sand clear and apply 2k clear?
Hi Pitt Bull. What people fail to understand about Hydrographics is that its a paint process. Anyone can learn to dip in a day but it takes many years to learn to paint properly and to get a good understanding of the different paints and how they work. Having said that, the most important thing is to stick with the same system all the way through. If you are going to use acrylic, don't put 2k clear on. If you are using a 2k system, stick with it all the way through as the 2 systems aren't compatible! Your process should be prep, primer, sand (800 grit), basecoat, dip, wash, 2k clear, wet sand, Polish.
Thumbs up for the useful info mate. I reckoned there had to be a cheaper alternative. The only trouble is that I just want to have a go at hydro dipping and the only activator advertised is £10 per spray can!!!! According to the product safety sheet it's 2-Butoxyethanol. Which Wikipedia says is a "relatively nonvolatile, inexpensive solvent of low toxicity". Hell! It may be inexpensive to produce, but we're paying major bucks at the retal end!!!! Anyway, I've ordered a basic carbon fiber transfer sheet and am going to experiment on some lemonade bottles and a couple of cheap plastic balls first. I shall try some ordinary thinners and whatever in a spray bottle before I shell out too much.
Hi Darren! Yes it feels like a powerful mix so it's most likely me overdoing the activation part. I'm gonna try with less activatior and i'll get back to you on how it all turned out. Thx for all the great vids and feedback. Best regards / Kari
Hello there Keewee,!!. Its a relief to see your interesting and very helpful, vid. Thanks for helping us to know all about this,.More power and God bless!
Darren you bloody legend mate I'm also from hobart tasmania and was looking at the materials that go into the activator and thought might be difficult to make but you made it look simple might try it myself cheers cobba
Hi Keewee, I don't think you're stepping on anyone's toes by putting this information out there. The problem for a lot of us (as you rightly pointed out!) is that we live in parts of the world where activator cannot be shipped and the price for those that are able to purchase activator... WOW!!! So what are we supposed to do in those circumstances? ... of course we're going to endeavour to make it ourselves! Once again, many thanks for a great vid which is concise and informative!
Heads up for Australians wanting an aerosol activator. Buy a can of Xylene from Bunnings, $20.Take it to Wholesale Paint Group and have them mix it with 2K thinners(30%xylene/70% 2K thinner) in an Aerosol can. Cost about $18.50. Hope this helps. Cheers.
Hello Keewee, I am a starter and would like to know if this water transfer film will work on flat glass and what kind of paint do I need to prime glass with. Thanks
Hello, I am not able to find Xylene in packaging smaller than barrel, on the other hand our local shop has small bottles of Toluene, and shop's owner says it should work similar to Xylene. Do you have any idea if Toluene can be used as replacement for Xylene? Thanks.
All right, found Xylene, but at the same time found out that there are quite few types of thinner as far as its active ingredient goes. Can someone that has this "Xylene+Thinner" formula working check the thinner package and enlighten me on the active ingredient in it (it should be printed on the package. as for any hazmat)
so you can print out your own patterns from a regular printer with regular printer ink onto hydro printing film and regular printer ink will work or do i need special ink?
I tried the mixture you stated in the video, but my film just becomes rubbery. I feel the chemicals are not dissolving the film properly, or the mix is not right. you stated a paint thinner, but then grab another bottle to mix with. are there different types of thinner? is all activator the same?
So i have a commercial activator that works fine on some film but doesn't activate thick film no matter how much i spray on so my question is what should i add to it to make it stronger?
Dear Darren . I just started hydro-dipping and in still learning stage. I saw your activator video and made my own. at first it was working but then I purchased new films and suddenly activator does not work in my new films. my question does xylene degrade over period of time. or should I try mixing more xylene say 40%. plz help me thanks and cheers
I tried the mix and it disolved the film. It would not stick.??? Just ran off the surface of the wood. Are there different mixes for different films? Any ideas?
Good stuff mate! I've done a couple of guitars with paint swirl dipping, but I live in japan at present and the sheets of film are unimaginable prices like, 150-200 bucks for a 1m sheet. This is why I've only done the paint swirl dipping. Dipping is not something that has taken off in Japan yet, but I know there is a big market for it with all these young fellas and their flashy rice-burners. Will have to investigate a better source of films.
hey man thanks alot for this video :)) finaly i can start water printing cuz that activator is heavly overpriced ! thinner and xylene much cheaper . thanks again keep up the good work greetz from holland
I am conducting tests activator and have bad results ... !!! please help me !!! I do it with 70 % thinner and 30 % xylene ( 70ml and 30ml of xylene thinner )the film becomes a rubbery substance and does not stick to surfaces
I accidentally got fast thinner as apposed to medium....will this still work? I am in the same boat as you and have no access to pre made stuff. I live in Alaska and no one wants to ship to me.....without charging 200 dollars for shipping.
So I tried your mixture among other Thinners I can pick up from my paint shop. But my film just turns into a sort of goop and will not apply decently. It would be like pushing through a layer of saran wrap, You know the plastic cling wrap you wrap a sandwich in. It folds in the corners and won't break on the edges once the item is fully submerged. Now I am bringing my prints in from China, would that make a difference? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks from Canada.
Hello Keewee, I tried to make my own activator with 70% thinner and 30% xylene (pure) but when I spray over the print doesn't really liquify. I becomes tinner and moves but when you dip something in it it's still a very fine film instead of liquid so it wraps around like a towel. Any suggestions. The thinner is mixture of N-buthylacetaat and Xylene (no indications about %). The Xylene is industrial 99% xylene. Also what does more or less of Xylene do with the activator. Thanks already ;)
dear Keewee my problem is i can use this / Uni thinner / Duxone / diggers xylene cannot buy here in the Netherlands there is another possibility to use such working means please tell me gr mr Han
I need help please.. I need to know a good brand for base coat and primer.. Please help just a normal white primer and base coat. I live in the US and can get anything paint wise just needing help one dipper from another
great video man! im starting with my dippings and i would like to know where did u use the thinner? or it was an alternative to the duxone and xylene? i didnt get that part quite well. thanks for the help and support. btw im watching your videos from mexico, youre getting viral! congrats!
Just this second After trying to find a video of how to make the activator, I finally found yours! Thanks a million, I was just thinking that the activator had to be some type of thinner! These companies never show the activator ingredients, so I figured it had to be made with something reasonably easy to find for the average patron. I bet soon, we will find out you and use household products to activate these sheets, like vinegar, bleach, or grape jelly or something wild!
Awesome! I was wondering what was in those magical activators lol. Its just thinner. Here in Canada one spray can is 65 dollars. I will make my own now.
Hi, I have done this and succeeded and after the completion of the dipping film, sometimes there is little water. When washing in the water, the film begins to zoom and the graphics are different and become zigzag. What is the reason?
thanks great information to have. i will try to make some here in the usa. but i will have to find a way to filter the water not just let it go it has all the chemicals that you mixed in the activator paint thinner and solvents that are poison. its just bad for the environment. its illegal to dump like that here it ends up in the drinking water and they already have enough to filter out so we can have water to drink im sure. i am glad your helping others to save a bit of cash and learn a skill i hope you find a better solution to disposing of the old water from the tank though. keep doing good!
ian corfu I'm not actually certain about that. I know it is used to strip wax off floors and that type of thing. It is also an ingredient of 2k automotive thinner.
Great video Darren. You are a good presenter. I tried the formula and it the film just runs off a piece of sealed and sanded wood. It just drips away. I used Diggers zylene and 2k Thinners by Dulux (Auto Speed). Dipped in luke warm water. Any suggestions on what I am doing wrong?
i ordered some film on the roll. It says you can print your graphics with inkjet printers, but you must seal it with Activator A prior to use to seal the ink. Then you actually go to use it and place it in your water tank you then use the activator B. Any idea on the formula for activator A? (sealer)
Can i use this as activator A from custom film printing with printer some films say need A which is to seal the ink will this work to seal it or only as activator B to dissolve film
I tried the 700/300 mix like u did with thinner and xylene but didn't stick so good or spreading like it should be. Need to test it more idk to add more thinner or xylene.what do u think?
I've tried this formula and it didn't work for me on the film I used. I think he just has activator in both containers and it just seems like he is mixing it up... when in fact he is mixing the same activator together. Of course it's just a thought maybe it does work just for him... it didn't for me.
Great video Subscribed and Ty this is something I would love to have a play around with is the thinners used a general all purpose Thinner? was looking at buying 1Lt of Diggers "All Purpose" I was also wondering how long it would last once mixed since you use very little of it at a time? Thank you very much for any reply :)
fantastic video, as a scale modeller i was totally dubious of people who are selling this and making a fortune. now finally please please please tell me, about base coats, acrylic or enamel? and does it even matter?
Hi, I'm from aus and have purchased diggers xylene and diggers all purpose thinner. I mixed them 30% X & 70% A but its not working. The film stays together and does not break apart. Water temp is correct and i wait the appropriate times. Please can someone help me so i can start dipping. ☺ Thank you.
For those asking
70% thinner
30% xylene
Less xylene = stronger
+Nick Denning what kind of thinner sir?
Sorry man Ive forgot. He mentions it in the first half of the video
ok thank you sir what about paint thinner its ok to mix in xylene for making activation???
Yeah from what I recall you add the two and then its good to go. Best of luck
+ABDAOUI SEIF you might be using too much activator bro. There is a YT channel that demonstrates it. I don't know the name, apologies.
Darren. Awesome vid Mate. I love when people sidetrack the big companies that charge out the ass for simple stuff. They think it's some top secret formula for gold. Great job.
For the ones asking why he didn't use the first thinner he shows (De Beer), from what I understand the store where he buy the stuff didn't have anymore of that brand so he switched to the next brand in stock (Duxone). Both of them are standard thinners and do basicaly the same thing.
Shadowmere450 amigo el duxone es un diluyente o disolvente ??? es lo mismo ? amigo se puede ocupar un diluyente de pintura de automovil sirve o no sirve ,me puede servir ese diluyente ? ademas me puedes ayudar con las % de cada uno del xileno y el diluyente cuanto es de cada uno la mezcla saludos
Shadowmere450 Exactly right :)
DID ANYONE ELSE KEEP CHECKING THEIR MESSAGES?? Jeeeeeez turn that ish off mate!
I had done my own research and had an idea about using 2k thinner & xylene. However, it's great to see someone who's had first-hand experience of actually mixing it and using it and to sharing with us the ideal percentage mix. Also, great tip about universal thinner being the prefered option, it was also comforting to know that there isn't a heavy smell lingering in the workshop after using it ... as many who have a vested interest in selling hydrographic activator would have you believe. Well done and thanks for taking your time to share with us!
Hi Alan, personally, I think there is so much hype surrounding activator and the poor uneducated end user just falls for it. I actually wouldnt care if the price was reasonable but some of the prices being asked is outright extorsion! Also, like you point out, a lot of producers of "help" videos have a hidden agenda with their own products/training courses to sell. I dont sell or market anything, I just run a small hydrographics shop and I have nothing to gain by sharing this information.
@@KeeWeeKustoms can paint thinner alone be used as activator?
How many of you paused the video to check FB messenger? lol
guilty!
+Bryan Harris Not myself but my girlfriend checked her phone lol
+Bryan Harris i though i got crazy for a moment lol
+Bryan Harris ahahahaha :D Guilty :D
I started a virus scan lol
thank you man, im in Mauritius and its hard to buy the activators from abroad and its very expensive. you solved it out thumbs up. im a DIY guy.
ashwin201
Ashwin am from mauritius too.. how u managed to get xylene
Am from malawi and I guess we're facing same challenge it's really hard to get activator from abroad,the good thing we have xylene here
Dude....I mean I live in the u.s. where activator is easy to get but I'm dipping constantly. Even when I don't have any customers at the moment I dip my own stuff as practice so I burn through it FAST. all the recipes I've seen seem super complicated and always involves at least one thing I can't find. I know this video is 9 years old but if this comment reaches you man....THANK YOU! I will be trying it very soon
i also use xylne about 40% and other mix of thinners like MEK and butyle and its working fine for me. thanks for the video man
Glad to hear it Oren :)
Darren Turner
Hi can I use xylene other MEK and Uni thinner 1-151? will it work?
what % I should use xyle, mek, 1-151? and what water temp?
what kind of thinner do i need to buy here in the us i cant find 2 k thinner the paint stores dont know what im talkin ABOUT LL
Oren Broder amigo el duxone es un diluyente o disolvente ??? es lo mismo ? amigo se puede ocupar un diluyente de pintura de automovil sirve o no sirve ,me puede servir ese diluyente ? ademas me puedes ayudar con las % de cada uno del xileno y el diluyente cuanto es de cada uno la mezcla saludos
Gotta love this guy knows what he's doing, top job!
I just mixed these same chemicals and sprayed them using a small water spray bottle. Worked really good. Didn't need to use the compressor.
excellent advice and simple! you and your videos have answered many of my questions about hydro dipping that the usual Google searches cannot. Appreciated, hope business flows well for you.
I noticed a whopping 2092 LIKES and 44 thumbs down ''dislikes'' guess they are mainly the suppliers of activator!! too funny.
i will be experimenting with your percentages, thanks again
This worked AWESOME for me THANKS,
One thing for the peps in the USA use medium reducer , not thinner.
Hi 1lN, could you post a brand name please, I get asked by a lot of Americans about which brand to use. Thanks.
Rustoleum
Thank you so much for this comment! I have been trying to figure out if he was talking about a lacquer type thinner or a urethane grade reducer. Turns out they call reducer thinner overseas
Love this! Such a great Aussie way of explaining activator 🤣 and straight to the point!
00:42 hands up how many people thought it was their fb messenger that went off
Chris Wyles not me because Facebook is for geasers
Sir,in you only add Xylene and Duxune and what about thiner volume???
Excellent video - right to the point and thorough! Great job and thanks for taking the time to do this.
Prime8inAtlanta Glad you found it helpful :)
Awesome work Keewee, thanks for spreading your knowledge. Looking forward to learning this process.
Is there an alternative to xylene that I have not found in my country?
Thanks for sharing it bro! It is a lot of saving for those who are trying it for the first time.
Does it have to be a 2k thinner or will multi purpose/all purpose thinners work?
Cant seem to find any 2k other then on the web.
Cheers!
Thank you so much. I knew thinner and xylene would work. I was afraid I might be missing 1 more piece. This is awesome. Thank you
You are a bloody legend mate!! Im in NZ and struggle to get activator too. Unless you want to spend a fortune. Im trying your method next week when my film shows up! Again thank you
I know this is an old video but here goes
Does the paint have to be fresh or can I dip my part onto the factory paint on my dash parts after o good clean?
Hi Keewee, I found Zylene at Bunnings and Masters. Found De Beer thinners at our local Auto paint supplies, Brisbane. Great Video Mate.
Glad to help mate.
Hey mate, Im in brisbane too, what’s the name of the place that stocked the thinner?
thanks alot for your video, was using activator i got off ebay and having bad results, since then i made my own activator with your formula and having great progress even some perfect finishes finally :)
You are a legend!!! Thanks for taking the time out to make your videos :-)
Thanks mate, really helpful and well recorded (no bulls**t). I'm just starting to try this and will be trying your recipe. Cheers Paul
YOU ARE A LEGGEND MATE. I CANT WAIT TO TRY THIS. THE BEST EASY TO FOLLOW VID I HAVE SEEN
Absolute gent for sharing your info dude. Thanks alot!
Activator formula 1
42% Xylene / Dimethyl benzene
5% Isobutanol / isobutyl alcohol / methyl propanol / Isopropylcarbinol
17% Butyl / Butyl acetate / butyl ethanoate
8% B-butanone / methyl isobutyl ketone / MEK
28% Methyl / methyl acetate / acetic acid methyl ester / methyl ethanoate
Activator formula 2
60% Xylene 60
25% n-Butyl acetate
10% n-Butanol
This formula is functional?
yes
where the formula used to activator A
Activator formula 2
60% Xylene 60
25% n-Butyl acetate
10% n-Butanol
= 95%???????
For which are activators A and B..?
Please if you could answer me
good day sir. i am darn far from you and my spelling sucks. sorry for that.
just want to say thank you for the recipe. i tried buying shipping and making my own. you're recipe i started using last week. and so far it is better than the lot i buy. thank you so much. and please don't ever stop helping other people. you are amazing. and thank you again. now i just need to get a place where i can buy the film cheaper.
Hi.. I'm in Canada.. Wondering if you can lend any advice on diy hydro dipping....
Mostly I'm interested in how to use 2k clear.... I was told it can cause paint to run unless fully cured....
Now I was told to let fully cure. Then wet sand. Then 2k clear....
But I don't wanna sand my hydrographic design...
Plus I should mention I'm using all spay cans. Not 2 parts from gun.
So after my hydro dip... Wait an hour. Clear with one part enamel clear. Then let dry and cure. Then sand clear and apply 2k clear?
Hi Pitt Bull. What people fail to understand about Hydrographics is that its a paint process. Anyone can learn to dip in a day but it takes many years to learn to paint properly and to get a good understanding of the different paints and how they work. Having said that, the most important thing is to stick with the same system all the way through. If you are going to use acrylic, don't put 2k clear on. If you are using a 2k system, stick with it all the way through as the 2 systems aren't compatible! Your process should be prep, primer, sand (800 grit), basecoat, dip, wash, 2k clear, wet sand, Polish.
+Keewee
great thanks... but what is actually hydro film made of?
is it 2k ink?
Beautifully done, Mate! Thanks for sharing!!
Thanks for the great videos mate!!! The price of the activators are insane here in Australia, I will try out your formula! Cheers :-)
Good luck Alex.
Did it work?
Thumbs up for the useful info mate. I reckoned there had to be a cheaper alternative. The only trouble is that I just want to have a go at hydro dipping and the only activator advertised is £10 per spray can!!!!
According to the product safety sheet it's 2-Butoxyethanol. Which Wikipedia says is a "relatively nonvolatile, inexpensive solvent of low toxicity".
Hell! It may be inexpensive to produce, but we're paying major bucks at the retal end!!!!
Anyway, I've ordered a basic carbon fiber transfer sheet and am going to experiment on some lemonade bottles and a couple of cheap plastic balls first. I shall try some ordinary thinners and whatever in a spray bottle before I shell out too much.
Hi Darren! Yes it feels like a powerful mix so it's most likely me overdoing the activation part. I'm gonna try with less activatior and i'll get back to you on how it all turned out. Thx for all the great vids and feedback. Best regards / Kari
Works a treat thanks, much better results.. Make sure mix it out side though.
Hello there Keewee,!!. Its a relief to see your interesting and very helpful, vid. Thanks for helping us to know all about this,.More power and God bless!
Darren you bloody legend mate I'm also from hobart tasmania and was looking at the materials that go into the activator and thought might be difficult to make but you made it look simple might try it myself cheers cobba
Tried this out this morning. One pass and bam!! She's ready to dip. Lol. Works really well. Thanks Keewee. Legend mate
Where do you get this stuff at i can find duxone
Hi Keewee, I don't think you're stepping on anyone's toes by putting this information out there. The problem for a lot of us (as you rightly pointed out!) is that we live in parts of the world where activator cannot be shipped and the price for those that are able to purchase activator... WOW!!! So what are we supposed to do in those circumstances? ... of course we're going to endeavour to make it ourselves! Once again, many thanks for a great vid which is concise and informative!
Thanks for your support Alan. If you make some, please let me know how it works out for you :)
just a quick question, does the activator have a shelf life or do you mix as needed?
Heads up for Australians wanting an aerosol activator. Buy a can of Xylene from Bunnings, $20.Take it to Wholesale Paint Group and have them mix it with 2K thinners(30%xylene/70% 2K thinner) in an Aerosol can. Cost about $18.50. Hope this helps. Cheers.
Hello Keewee, I am a starter and would like to know if this water transfer film will work on flat glass and what kind of paint do I need to prime glass with. Thanks
Great bit of info mate and your attitude is just great no fucks given love it keep up the good work
Question so you showed 3 different products but when mixing you only used 2 what is the de beer UNI thinner bottle used for them
Hello, I am not able to find Xylene in packaging smaller than barrel, on the other hand our local shop has small bottles of Toluene, and shop's owner says it should work similar to Xylene. Do you have any idea if Toluene can be used as replacement for Xylene? Thanks.
All right, found Xylene, but at the same time found out that there are quite few types of thinner as far as its active ingredient goes. Can someone that has this "Xylene+Thinner" formula working check the thinner package and enlighten me on the active ingredient in it (it should be printed on the package. as for any hazmat)
Hi there,
May I know what kind of thinner did you used?
is acrylic thinner ok for this?
so you can print out your own patterns from a regular printer with regular printer ink onto hydro printing film and regular printer ink will work or do i need special ink?
Thanks amigo. Appreciate your sharing this.
RixCanDoit happy to help.
I tried the mixture you stated in the video, but my film just becomes rubbery. I feel the chemicals are not dissolving the film properly, or the mix is not right. you stated a paint thinner, but then grab another bottle to mix with. are there different types of thinner? is all activator the same?
Sounds like you are under activating. Watch the video again for the answers to your other questions.
Hello, are these two substances thinner? is one acrylic and the other base paint thinner?
So i have a commercial activator that works fine on some film but doesn't activate thick film no matter how much i spray on so my question is what should i add to it to make it stronger?
Dear Darren . I just started hydro-dipping and in still learning stage. I saw your activator video and made my own. at first it was working but then I purchased new films and suddenly activator does not work in my new films. my question does xylene degrade over period of time. or should I try mixing more xylene say 40%. plz help me thanks and cheers
Hi, you will have to tell me exactly what's happening for me to help you. I suspect you are putting on either too much or not enough.
I tried the mix and it disolved the film. It would not stick.??? Just ran off the surface of the wood. Are there different mixes for different films?
Any ideas?
Good stuff mate! I've done a couple of guitars with paint swirl dipping, but I live in japan at present and the sheets of film are unimaginable prices like, 150-200 bucks for a 1m sheet. This is why I've only done the paint swirl dipping. Dipping is not something that has taken off in Japan yet, but I know there is a big market for it with all these young fellas and their flashy rice-burners. Will have to investigate a better source of films.
hey man thanks alot for this video :))
finaly i can start water printing cuz that activator is heavly overpriced !
thinner and xylene much cheaper .
thanks again keep up the good work
greetz from holland
We can get xylene here in NZ but can't find any duxone/2k thinners. Would a all purpose thinner work?
what is the difference between formula A and B??
I am conducting tests activator and have bad results ... !!!
please help me !!!
I do it with 70 % thinner and 30 % xylene ( 70ml and 30ml of xylene thinner )the film becomes a rubbery substance and does not stick to surfaces
can this be made up and applied using a standard every day spray bottle? or what's option if you don't have an air compressor spray.
I accidentally got fast thinner as apposed to medium....will this still work? I am in the same boat as you and have no access to pre made stuff. I live in Alaska and no one wants to ship to me.....without charging 200 dollars for shipping.
So I tried your mixture among other Thinners I can pick up from my paint shop. But my film just turns into a sort of goop and will not apply decently. It would be like pushing through a layer of saran wrap, You know the plastic cling wrap you wrap a sandwich in. It folds in the corners and won't break on the edges once the item is fully submerged. Now I am bringing my prints in from China, would that make a difference? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks from Canada.
Destructor429 It sounds like either your film is on the water wrong way up or your gun isnt setup right. You need to apply more activator.
Thanks a lot mate! I have learned so much from your videos!
I noticed you didn't risen the piece to remove the slimy film, keep it it on will it keep the shine , no clear coat afterwards?
Is this just thinner like lacquer thinner or is it 2k paint reducer. Thank you for the video. Activator is costly here.
Hi I could tell me if you know of components for the technique of chrome sprinkler water without electrodes. Thank you
You’re a great dude for sharing this 💯 thank you.
Hello Keewee, I tried to make my own activator with 70% thinner and 30% xylene (pure) but when I spray over the print doesn't really liquify. I becomes tinner and moves but when you dip something in it it's still a very fine film instead of liquid so it wraps around like a towel. Any suggestions. The thinner is mixture of N-buthylacetaat and Xylene (no indications about %). The Xylene is industrial 99% xylene. Also what does more or less of Xylene do with the activator. Thanks already ;)
Tom Suetens make sure you have the right side of the film up
same problem. anyone figured it out???
same prob but i solve it by adding more thinner by making 5% xylene and 95% thinner
@@zakharovspirits Can I use Thinner only ? Or alternative xylene ?
@@abo9084 no you can't go and check for slower thinner if you can find it
I'm going to try making the activator. I ordered in de beers but they sent the 161 slow instead of medium. Is the mixture the same?
dear Keewee
my problem is i can use this / Uni thinner / Duxone / diggers xylene
cannot buy here in the Netherlands
there is another possibility to use such working means
please tell me
gr mr Han
I need help please.. I need to know a good brand for base coat and primer.. Please help just a normal white primer and base coat. I live in the US and can get anything paint wise just needing help one dipper from another
great video man! im starting with my dippings and i would like to know where did u use the thinner? or it was an alternative to the duxone and xylene? i didnt get that part quite well. thanks for the help and support. btw im watching your videos from mexico, youre getting viral! congrats!
Just this second After trying to find a video of how to make the activator, I finally found yours! Thanks a million, I was just thinking that the activator had to be some type of thinner!
These companies never show the activator ingredients, so I figured it had to be made with something reasonably easy to find for the average patron. I bet soon, we will find out you and use household products to activate these sheets, like vinegar, bleach, or grape jelly or something wild!
There's a reason the big companies don't tell you what's in it and I can assure you, they are not very happy with me telling you how to make it!
Awesome! I was wondering what was in those magical activators lol. Its just thinner. Here in Canada one spray can is 65 dollars. I will make my own now.
Hi, I have done this and succeeded and after the completion of the dipping film, sometimes there is little water. When washing in the water, the film begins to zoom and the graphics are different and become zigzag. What is the reason?
mochkél a khoya f activator
Do you use paint thinner or lacquer thinner. I'm a painter and there's a huge difference in these products
thanks great information to have. i will try to make some here in the usa. but i will have to find a way to filter the water not just let it go it has all the chemicals that you mixed in the activator paint thinner and solvents that are poison. its just bad for the environment. its illegal to dump like that here it ends up in the drinking water and they already have enough to filter out so we can have water to drink im sure. i am glad your helping others to save a bit of cash and learn a skill i hope you find a better solution to disposing of the old water from the tank though. keep doing good!
What materials (liquids) you used to make Hydrographics activator. And what is the ratio 1:1 ??
hi keewee ,thanks for this great video.....may i ask if the xylene is just an epoxy thinner? thanks again
ian corfu I'm not actually certain about that. I know it is used to strip wax off floors and that type of thing. It is also an ingredient of 2k automotive thinner.
Great video Darren. You are a good presenter. I tried the formula and it the film just runs off a piece of sealed and sanded wood. It just drips away. I used Diggers zylene and 2k Thinners by Dulux (Auto Speed). Dipped in luke warm water. Any suggestions on what I am doing wrong?
Anthony Trothe what film did you use?
Thank you for the vid.. and love the Mustang.
Great vid m8 much appreciated, im just starting out in Vic.
i ordered some film on the roll. It says you can print your graphics with inkjet printers, but you must seal it with Activator A prior to use to seal the ink. Then you actually go to use it and place it in your water tank you then use the activator B. Any idea on the formula for activator A? (sealer)
Hey did u get an answer for printing own film needing activator A any idea
Can i use this as activator A from custom film printing with printer some films say need A which is to seal the ink will this work to seal it or only as activator B to dissolve film
what does it cost to have the films shipped from UK?
Im located in Guam. Does anybody carry their films in the usa?
Thanks
Al
hi sir
how many ml uses of each component??
the uni thinner 1-151 is a nitro solvent or acrylic?
Do you not rinse the part or did you just not for the quick show and tell? Looking at doing my own hydro dipping
Yes, you have to rinse it, I didnt bother for this vid as it was about how to make activator :)
Thank you Keewee for information. But I wanna to know that which kind of materieal is prepared hydrocarbon films.
note to self or anyone else. airplane mode for video making from your phone. great video. cool process. thnx for the knowledge drop.
I tried the 700/300 mix like u did with thinner and xylene but didn't stick so good or spreading like it should be. Need to test it more idk to add more thinner or xylene.what do u think?
Did u get through with this
Hello. Is it possible to write me the formula for activating the hydrographic film? I am from Iran. Thank you
So I have a question I can't seem to find either brand of thinner in the us to purchase is there another good thinner I can use
I've tried this formula and it didn't work for me on the film I used. I think he just has activator in both containers and it just seems like he is mixing it up... when in fact he is mixing the same activator together. Of course it's just a thought maybe it does work just for him... it didn't for me.
Hey, I can get xylene anywhere locally and not able to get it shipped, is there any substitute for this?
Ur great for advice. So how do I cut the film to size, can i jus use a pair of scissors to cut the film or will it damage the edges
Great video Subscribed and Ty this is something I would love to have a play around with is the thinners used a general all purpose Thinner? was looking at buying 1Lt of Diggers "All Purpose"
I was also wondering how long it would last once mixed since you use very little of it at a time?
Thank you very much for any reply :)
fantastic video, as a scale modeller i was totally dubious of people who are selling this and making a fortune. now finally please please please tell me, about base coats, acrylic or enamel? and does it even matter?
Oh, very cool - thanks very much for the great tips you're showing; much appreciated :)
please, i need your help keewee. what materials i need for make the hydrographics. thanks! i hope your answer.
Hi, I'm from aus and have purchased diggers xylene and diggers all purpose thinner. I mixed them 30% X & 70% A but its not working. The film stays together and does not break apart. Water temp is correct and i wait the appropriate times. Please can someone help me so i can start dipping. ☺ Thank you.
DevilsLiL Spy how did you go. Did you work it out. Did the diggers general thinner work?