A-TACS Camo Hydro Dip

KAG

KAG

New member
As I said I would. I did some dipping using ATACS Camo pattern.

I stripped down my Coyote 835 Mossy 12ga and dipped it. I did not dip my coyote choke as that goes in the barrel. I guess I could of just taped of the threads but I just chose not to. I bought the ATACS film from TWN and the film is better quality than the ebay film I got in wood grain and predator camo. When I ordered the film from TWN they tried to tell me my activator was not suited to their film and I really needed to use theirs. I passed and just used what I had. It worked just fine with no issues with activation.

The 835 was actually harder than the AR I did mainly because it was a lot dirtier so I had to scrub every part to get it good and clean. My AR was basically clean so cleaning it was easier. I used 220 sand paper to lightly sand the parts. I then I washed it off.

I then sprayed it with adhesion promoter and a clear primer this time. I sprayed the pieces with a tan base coat, This tan paint I was using was much more pale then the other can I had. It was better quality also and I only had a 4oz can of it and ran out when it came tot he red dot. I sprayed the red dot with Krylon Camo tan and it was a darker tan as you can see. It also gives you a good idea how slight changes to the base coat makes changes to the camo look.

During the dip this film from TWN is also slightly thicker and heavier it seems. After I dipped the parts and they dried I put them in the oven at 200F for 45min. When the came out I let them air cool and the film to tough seemed harder. I then applied 2 coats of Marine grade clear coat and one coat of dull clear coat. I then re-assembled it and test fired it.

The rolls you get from TWN are not marked "this side up" for dipping purposes and it does matter. Because I have been messing with this stuff I can tell but an easy way to test if unsure is to cut a small 4x4 section and lay it in the water. If it does not not start hydrating (wrinkling up) you then know to use the other side up when dipping. The wrong side will start oozing a clear film across the water around the edges.

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That looks really good! Awesome job. Thanks for the write up and advice as my son and I have been discussing dipping his shotgun and I will consider this.
 
Originally Posted By: skinneyLooking good!!! I really like the ATACS camo pattern, but cant seem to part with my Multicam.

I agree the ATACS pattern is outstanding to look at in real life. It really does blur what ever its on. It just seems like your eyes find it hard to focus on the object, I guess thats why its a good pattern.
 
Do you have a thread anywhere that goes into more detail on your process?

I watched the vids on the DIY film site and want to do my 930 in A-TACS.

Can you tell me pricing/coverage on the A-TACS film? Source/ list for the required chemicals?



Thanks

Vince
 
Originally Posted By: nastynatesfishGo to ezdipkit.com. It cost me 117 it's a meter of cameo dip and all the activator and primer

No A-TACS available there. I'm betting TNW is the only licensed source.

$117 + the time and effort is making my local dip place sound like more of a deal!

Vince
 
Originally Posted By: serevinceOriginally Posted By: nastynatesfishGo to ezdipkit.com. It cost me 117 it's a meter of cameo dip and all the activator and primer

No A-TACS available there. I'm betting TNW is the only licensed source.

$117 + the time and effort is making my local dip place sound like more of a deal!

Vince

Over in the AR section here I did a big post when I dipped my 25x45 AR several weeks ago. Lots of photos, instructions, and what you need and what you don't. Lots of photos of other things dipped. Some not so good but its a learning process and thats why I recommend getting cheap film and practicing with it. No matter what people say....you can do this.

http://www.predatormastersforums.com/for...8365&page=1

TWN is the only licensed vendor for ATACS. A 3m roll is $40. More than enough to a couple of guns. I have noticed the film prices are going up, more than likely because more people of doing it. You use to be able to get a meter of film is an off camo pattern for about $4 and now they are wanting $4 a foot or $12 a meter. With that said I am working on a list of venders that the professional shops use and they can get quality film around $5 meter in some cases but you have to buy a 10m roll, no biggie to me as its almost cheaper for 10m wholesale than buying 3m retail.

You can go the kit route if you want but I would just use the list I posted in the AR section.

Here is link to a fairly big forum on this stuff........lots of experts over there and they will help you out. They have a pure firearms dipping section.
http://www.liquidconcepts.com/phpBB3/
 
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A-TACS looks great. I think it's the best camo pattern out right now. It doesn't become 1 color at a distance. It maintains it definition. Nice job.
 
Originally Posted By: yfzduner450What are you using for a dip tank?? Did you buy one or just use something you already had??

I am using Rubber made type tubs. If I decide to make a large tank I am going to use a stock tank from Orschlens farm and ranch store or Tractor supply.
 
6m of film was $102.40 shipped to kansas. The quality of the film from TWN is the best. Some of the professional shops get their film from TWN. Quality anything costs money, thats why I suggest practicing with the cheap stuff first. TWN licensed vendor for ATACS Camo film....anywhere else is just reselling it from TWN.
 
1.5m per gun....give or take a little depending on the weapon

I have a Sendero SFII and a Savage VLP 112 both heavy barrels I plan to do next then a 12ga 8 shot defender. I may also dip another one of my AR's in A-TACS but we will see.

Then its on to Harley parts in something.....

One thing to watch for, is the film 50cm or 100cm wide? I have used booth and the 50cm is great for AR's and the 100cm is great for shotguns and bolt guns but its purely a preference. Factor in at least 30% waste. 50% of the mistakes I made originally were Not using a piece of film big enough for the part I was dipping. Total surface area of the part plus 30% is what I now use as a ball park method.

I wanted to also post I just looked at the ATACS dip job and I have one small area where the clear coat is not adhering well and I could peel that off. In right near the barrel ported area holes. The camo film is fine its the clear coat.....Hummmm....I will have ask about this
 
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