Activator is what turns a sheet of hydrographic film into a pattern you can dip. Getting it right makes a big difference to your final finish, so here’s how we approach it in our own workshop.

What does hydrographics activator do?

Once your film has hydrated on warm water, activator dissolves the PVA film backing. That leaves just the ink of the pattern floating on the water, ready for you to dip your part.

What you’ll need

• Hydrographic film, cut to size
• A tank or container of water at 25-30°C
• HydroVator PLUS activator
• A spray gun (we use a DeVilbiss GPi) or a 400ml aerosol
• Suitable respiratory protection (see below)

We use a full-face respirator in our professional workshop. A basic mask is OK for occasional DIY use, but not for prolonged use.

Always check the data sheet before use. Use the product in a well-ventilated area, away from children, animals and naked flames.

New to dipping? Our hobby dip kits include activator, film, paint and instructions.

How to spray activator

1. Prepare your part. Clean, prime and basecoat it before you start. See The Process for how we do this.
2. Set up your water. Fill your tank with water at 25-30°C.
3. Lay and hydrate the film. Lay the film on the water and leave it for 60-90 seconds, or longer in some cases.
4. Set up your gun. If you’re using a spray gun, set it to full fan and under 10psi, as low as possible while still atomising the product. Activator isn’t as thick as paint, so it needs less pressure.
5. Spray the activator. Spray from around 20cm. One steady pass is usually enough.
6. Wait until it’s ready. The film is ready when it looks smooth and glassy.
7. Dip your part. Once the film has glassed, dip slowly and steadily, avoiding any ripples in the water. The best angle depends on the part, so choose one that avoids trapping air.
8. Rinse and finish. Rinse and dry the part, then apply clear coat.

Common activator mistakes

Spraying more because the film hasn’t gone glassy yet. Wait for the film to go glassy. Don’t spray more, or you’ll likely over-activate it.

Not allowing for thicker inked films. Activator takes longer to penetrate thicker inked films, so give them more time rather than adding more activator.

Why we use HydroVator PLUS

We use HydroVator PLUS in our own workshop every day for its compatibility and consistent results across the films we sell.

It comes as a 400ml solvent-free aerosol, a 1 litre tin, a 2 litre combo deal and a 5 litre trade pack.

Stuck on a dip?

Our customers get free expert advice and support. Call Eve or David on 01443 836599, or contact us.