Hydrographic dipping transforms variety of objects

Steven Wiley can camouflage just about anything. Using hydrographic dipping, the Magnolia businessman can coat any object that can be painted with a custom print.

Custom Camo opened in April 2012 as a byproduct of Steven and his wife Angela's business, Bow Lite. They build and sell lights for hunting bows and firearms, and they would send off the products to a second party for coating—usually with a form of camouflage—until Steven decided to streamline his business by purchasing a two-meter hydrographic dipping tank. It is big enough to dip parts of a four wheeler.

"There are four other tanks in Houston that are this big, and only two are registered to sell firearms," he said. "Legally, you can't camo dip firearms without a license."

The process of hydrographic dipping involves several steps and uses the tank's water pressure to form patterns to any object. Customers choose from a variety of prints that Custom Camo holds, which includes several designs that are not camouflage. However, Angela said, the store does not sell prints to customers for "at-home dipping projects."

If a customer does not find a print they like at the store, they can browse manufacturers online and Custom Camo can order a roll for them.

"You can really dip anything, from a glass jar to a wooden frame," said Shan Kelderman, office manager. "Since April it's been blowing up. There are not a lot of places out here that do anything like this."

The film is highly durable, Steven said, and is similar to automobile paint, which means it is as scratch resistant as a vehicle. Custom Camo's prices vary and are available on its website. In the next year, the Wileys plan to build a showcase room to sell firearms.

Steven has coated a variety of guns and objects, including softball helmets, a cell phone case and interior pieces of cars. The company can even coat skulls for the hunting enthusiast.

"It's gaining popularity," Steven said. "I think we are in the right area for it."

The Process

• Prepping: The object must be sanded or sand blasted, depending on the pre-existing paint, to create a rough surface.
• Paint: Automobile paint is then applied to the surface, which is the color that will show through transparent portions of the print.
• Film: The prints come in sheets of thin film, which are cropped according to the object's size and placed in the water tank for a few minutes to hydrate and become flexible.
• Activate: An activator is sprayed onto the film to dissolve the film and leave only the ink floating in the water.
• Transplant: The object is passed through the ink, which clings to its surface.
• Rinse: After a few seconds, the object is rinsed with cool water to remove any remaining residue or film.
• Dry: Depending on the object's size, it requires anywhere from a few hours to a full night of drying.
• Coat: Finally, a clear coat is applied on top to finish it. Customers can choose from a high-gloss or flat finish.

Custom Camo, 34502 Wright Road, Pinehurst, 832-521-2501, www.customcamo.com