Hydro dipping, or water-transfer printing, is a unique process used to apply intricate designs onto almost any three-dimensional surface. It's a great way to personalize car parts with custom graphics that are too difficult to paint by hand. Online, there are hundreds of thousands of designs to choose from. And with more designs created every day, the number of customization options is virtually limitless.

Bryan from Liquid Concepts specializes in all things customizable, from hydro dipping to custom paint and vinyl wrapping. The first step of the hydro-dipping process is sanding the part so that the design will stick to the material. Typically, the part is covered in a white or tan base coat to help bring out the vibrant colors in the finished design. Designs are printed onto special film that's water soluble. This causes the film and ink to soften and melt when placed in water. It's important to carefully lay down the film to avoid any warping. Then the activator is applied to dissolve the film and liquefy the ink. The part is then slowly dipped into the tank.

The water's surface tension pushes the liquefied film onto the item, allowing the design to cover the entire surface area. After dipping, the part is rinsed off to remove any residue. Finally, a clear coat is applied to protect the fully customized part.