Hydro Dipping

cooldood

cooldood

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Ok I will start by apologizing since I ma sure this is not the first hydro thread.

So I saw this picture online and fell in love.
Now the questions

Has anyone here dipped their pistol and how hard is it?
Does it last at all? I would hate to have to redo it every so many years.
Is it better to have it done prof.? If so where and I doubt anyone in Maine does it so can I mail my pistol across state lines?
 

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Never tried it, have no idea how well it would work on a weapon.

What I do know is that the only way to mail your gun across state lines is FFL to FFL.
 
For what it is worth, never had a gun done with that finish, but have a compound bow, and a cross bow with the camo dip finish. Both have a lot of use, and the finish has held up very well. I would rate the durability, based on the above, as good as any of the baked on paint type finishes common on guns.

Larry
 
First I thought you meant your avatar picture and then I looked down. :)

That is pretty cool looking. Glock came out with something similar this year on a production model (just the flag coloring) and I thought it was pretty cool.

Have never had anything dipped but I know there is a place in Wichita, Kansas that does similar work called FTW Coatings. Have heard nothing but good things about their work.

I have shipped guns to S&W and to other certified repair places and have not had to use an FFL. It may be cheaper to use one because they may give you a better rate than what you can do through UPS or FEDEX. I have had handguns from S&W Performance Center and other custom shops sent directly back to my residence. It depends on their FFL status, etc... since the gun is already yours and not a new purchase.
 
I take that back about FFLs. I think 326MOD10 might be correct, since you do own the gun. I do think, however that there would still have to be at least an FFL on the other end, or the business doing the dipping would have to have some sort of weapons manufacturer license. Otherwise, it would be no different than shipping a gun interstate between two private individuals.
 
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Federal law is you can ship a handgun via common carrier (NOT USPS) to ANY FFL in the country, and that include companies Fed licensed to modify or repair guns. Any companies that do gun finishes routinely will have a license, and I would not deal with a company unfamiliar with gun jobs.
 
It's just paint. No more, no less. Just paint. As long as you never shoot, handle, or holster your weapon, it will last forever. Otherwise, it comes off the high points pretty darn quick. In some instances, it gives a patina that looks pretty good.
 
There is a company in Connecticut that does custom Cerakote work. I’ve seen some Mossberg Shockwave shotguns that they did with the flag design....looked really good. Check out Home
 
Cerakote

I was just looking at this company to use as a FFL. They get good reviews. I am sure if you contact them they will answer any questions you may have. Carolina Ceramic Coating 403 Forbidden
 
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My cousin had his M&P dipped likely 5 years ago. Its never holstered or anything, but there are no signs of wear on it. He's not one to take good care of stuff, but it sits idle quite a bit as well. Only issue we had was the mag release button was sticky for about a week before it wore back in. His was cerakoted first in desert tan and then dipped in digi cam or something.
 
As far as dipping, I have seen it done and with the equipment required for the whole process, I see no way to do that yourself. The guns are disassembled completely, cleaned, current finish is sanded or etched in some fashion, dipped by a very talented individual, hang to dry and then sprayed with several coats of clear before reassembly.
 
My neighbor does hydro dipping and can do just about anything you want done. He has a FFL because he does firearms as well. He once did set set of trailer fenders for his boat trailer and the coating is holding up OK.
 
It's my understanding it's all about the prep. Like stated above, whatever you are dipping needs to be sanded or etched. I had a buddy get a shotgun dipped, it wasn't prepped right, and it's already flaking off. Go with a business that has a good reputation, and my bet is it will hold up just fine.
 
I had looked at hydro dipping for one of my guitars. Interesting process and very cool results. From what I've seen it does take a bit of practice to get it right. I don't know how durable it would be for a firearm.
 
ScaryWoody said:
I had looked at hydro dipping for one of my guitars. Interesting process and very cool results. From what I've seen it does take a bit of practice to get it right. I don't know how durable it would be for a firearm.
Click to expand...

I watched the process at CAMO for Guns company in VA and they have contracts for several manufacturers.
 
Wow you guys are awesome. I wasn't really expecting so much good info.

Maybe I should practice on something my wife owns. LOL
Think I will definitely be sending it out to a company. I used to manage a powder coat department for GE so I know all about prep. And I know I don't have the set up to do it right. If I were to do it myself I would do the gun wraps since I could always go back to factory
 
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