"Hydro-dipping for sci-fi camo?" Topic

link

hydrodip.com

I just ran across this concept, although it's not exactly new; my parents used to have some kind of plasticy ink that we used to make tie-dye-like patterns on Easter eggs.

I'm curios if anyone out there has used a similar method to apply camo patterns to vehicles? I assume this would be best done on sci-fi vehicles, since modern and historical vehicles generally have established patterns they would be required to use.

My concern would be that the paint would be too thick to sink into all the cracks and crevices on a model, or that it would obscure too many details to be useful. Any thoughts?

H'mmm my kid's have watched Youtubers doing that sort of thing – seemingly using some kind of rattlecan, possible car paint, straight on to water rather than a professional kit. Never considered it as a technique since I mostly work in 15mm or smaller. Might work on bigger stuff – but I'm also sceptical about how it would turn out on a detailed surface. I can see potential for ending up with a claggy mess. Also potentially a bit of a faff for a one or two vehicles if you've already got an airbrush kicking about.

Still interesting.

This is also known as "Marbling"

Like what use to be done on the outer edges of the paper of fancy books.
There are paints sold for just this purpose.

"Marbling is the process of floating fabric paints on the surface of a thick cellulose solution (called "size"), somewhat like oil on water. … Then you capture your design by laying a treated piece of fabric or paper down on top of the paint to transfer the swirls to the fabric. It is that easy!"

You might want to look here:
link

Regarding paint getting into the recessed areas. The weight of the water should push out the air and force the paint into all parts. The problem might be with full undercuts, were the layer of paint might be used up by previous submersion on the model.

Cool, thanks!