5 Types of Paint Used in Hydro Dipping

The best paint to use is acrylic spray cans because acrylic paint will float to the top as a thin film and it will stick easily to the objects submerged.

Also, with the use of a spray can, the acrylic paint applied will be even and well spread. You need to be careful when using spray cans though, as when the spray becomes too close, you run the risk of having air bubbles on the surface giving you a bad finish.

Also known as immersion printing, hydro dripping is more or less a process that allows you to apply color and graphics to almost any type of material. It is a process that has been used by sporting goods companies and automakers for many years, but it has only been recently been picked up as a hobby by craft enthusiasts.

Note that you can easily practice hydro dipping at home and use to it make some colorful, amazing creations, but you need to have the right paint to do so.

Spray paint is used when hydro dipping at home, but you can also use acrylic paints and oil-based paints made for use on different surfaces. The paint you use will depend on the desired look and finish, but spray paint is probably best for beginners.

The good thing about hydro dipping is that you can pretty much dip any item. Paper, fabric, glass, wood, plastic, metal, all work well with being hydro dipped. When hydro dipping items such as plastic, glass, metal, and wood, it is ideal to use acrylic spray paint.

It holds onto the items better, and you are able to fill the space with lots of different colors and designs. If you intend to dip materials such as paper or canvas, you can use oil-based paints.

This type of paint tends to work well with paper and canvas, and gives off a glossier finish, compared to the possible matte finish you would get with spray paint. Leveraging oil-based enamel to dip paper and canvas also allows you to create a marbled effect, which is how the method was originally used.

Furthermore, it is advisable you use warm water, around 70°-80° Fahrenheit should be a well-balanced temperature, when the water gets too cold the paint would look dull and blurred, and too hot will cause some plastics to melt.

Ultimately, hydro dipping produces psychedelic colours on nearly all object surfaces. It is an exciting painting technique with many diverse ways to do it.

Different Types of Hydro Dipping Paint

There are three main kinds of paints you can use for hydro dipping. However, the type of paint you use for the hydro dipping process will depend on the type of item you are dipping, and what effect you are looking to achieve.

1. Spray Paint

Using spray paint for hydro dipping is better known as the spray can hydro dipping. This method is used for “3D” objects (e.g. shirts and hats rather than a piece of paper), and not just for flat surfaces. Hydro dipping is a wonderful way to use up any old cans of paint you have at home.

You simply spray the paint onto the surface of the water, adding different spots of colour here and there to create intricate patterns. You really can get creative with the different designs.

2. Acrylic Paint

Also note that you can use acrylic paint for hydro dipping, but it is not as popular as just using spray paint. However, you will have to take extra care with the acrylic paint to avoid it sinking to the bottom. Leverage a skewer to pick up some paint and transfer it gently to the top of the water.

Once you have done this a few times you can swirl the paints around using a pin or by blowing through a straw, once again creating a marbled effect.

3. Oil-Based Paints

You should use oil-based paints primarily if you intend to hydro dip a flat surface, such as a piece of paper or canvas. Ideally, this method was used to create a marbled effect. The oil-based paints are dropped onto the surface of the water and then a pin-like tip is used to swirl the colors together.

You could also use a straw to blow the ink around to create patterns and designs. Just be careful not to get too close and suck the paint water in.

5 Top Paints for Hydro Dipping

1. Marabu Easy Marble Rose Pink

Made to be used for immersion and marbling by hydro dipping, the Marabu Easy Marble Rose Pink paint is the ideal medium to use. When making use of this paint, you can decorate materials such as plastics, fabrics, metal, glass, and much more.

You can use the rose pink and any other colors to create marbling effects in a matter of seconds, on top of the surface of the water.

The paint also needs to simply be dipped into water and you can then dip your item in as well. The paint dries within 15 to 20 minutes and gives the material a delicate, pretty rose pink color. Note there are other colors and finishes in the range, and you can use a few, including the metallic Marabu paints, to create some really stunning designs.

Note that the paint is made in Germany and only uses organic solvents. The 15mL bottle might not seem like a lot, but you only need a small amount for hydro dipping, and you will get a good few projects out of this one small bottle.

2. Rust-Oleum Metallic Spray Paint

Rust-Oleum is a trusted spray paint brand and with very convincing reason. Not only does it work to stop rust and give weather and corrosion-resistant coating, but the brand also has some wonderful paint colors to choose from.

The spray paint can be used to hydro dip materials such as wood, metal, masonry, concrete, and much more. It has an oil-based formula that provides a durable protective coating, with great rust prevention, and with stunning colors as well.

Also, note that you can choose from neutral or bright colors or even metallic colors. There are brass, gold, copper, silver, and other beautiful colors to choose from. You can create some of the most amazing designs using metallic spray paints!

Once dipped, it should take around 20 minutes to dry completely. Don’t forget that the metallic spray paint contains actual metallic flakes, which helps to provide a shiny, brilliant finish that will really make your hydro dipping project stand out.

With a renowned brand name such as Rust-Oleum, and with such a vast range of colors and finishes to choose from, you really cannot go wrong with using this type of spray paint for your hydro dipping projects!

3. Castle Art Supplies Fabric Paint Set

Have it in mind that this bright and vibrant set of 24 different color paints will give you all you need to create some exciting and colorful hydro dipping projects! Experts note that this paint dries with a 3D effect, which really does bring your pieces to life.

While these are fabric paints, they can also be used on wood, glass, and other substrates. Note that being quick-drying, it is an ideal to use these paints for hydro dipping, as there is not much time needed for the item to sit and dry after being dipped.

It is also child-friendly and non-toxic, so it can provide a hydro dipping experience for the whole family! Included with the 24 paints are three bonus brushes, which can be used to create a marbled effect on the water.

4. Flash Acrylic Paint Set

The Flash Acrylic Paint Set provides the ultimate performance across a varying range of crafts and hobbies and works really well for hydro dipping.

With 16 vibrant colors included in the kit, made with high levels of pigment strength, opacity, and high performance, you acquire the most out of the colors and paint. Each color is formulated to ensure it remains as bright and vibrant as possible, irrespective of the medium it is used on.

The paints are certified safe and non-toxic, so you can use them on your own or with the family, without worrying about any harmful chemicals or odors.

Once dried, the paints ensure their good elasticity, which makes them wonderful to use on different materials. In addition, the colors are strong and pigmented enough to not fade over time while giving off more color reflection.

There are other options in the range as well, such as metallic color paints, a pouring medium, and fluorescent paints. You can build up a hydro dipping kit with all the different colors and finishes that you could ever need!

5. Krylon ColorMaster Paint

The Krylon ColorMaster Paint spray paint is ideal to be used to hydro dip plastic, metal, wood, and other materials. You can pick different finishes, from flat, to gloss, to matte, satin, and metallic.

Ideal for indoor and outdoor projects, you can use the spray paint to create hydro dipping designs for just about any project, knowing that if it is an outdoor project, the paint will keep it protected.

Also, when the dipping process is complete, the paint will take 10 minutes or less to dry, which is fairly quicker than other spray paint brands. Using Covermax technology, the Krylon spray paint gives items premium coverage with brilliant color.

The EZ Touch Conical Tip of the spray can is made to offer you maximum control, and you can enjoy drip-free and run-free spray painting, without your finger becoming fatigued! With brilliant color results, easy-to-use spray can, and protective coating, this is a great spray paint to use for hydro dipping. You can really get creative with your designs!

Conclusion

Hydro dipping, also known as water transfer printing, has been around for quite some time and is used for industrial applications. If you are wanting to hydro dip at home, it is ideal to use spray paint.

Spray paint allows you to hydro dip different materials such as plastic, metal, fabric, glass, and wood. Oil-based paints and acrylics are best used to create marbling effects through hydro dipping on paper and canvas. Hydro dipping is a fun painting technique to pick up.