How to use your Aussie Dipkit

Prepare your object. Make sure you sand your item to ensure the primer will adhere. Sandpaper is provided in your Aussie Dipkit, however any sandpaper or scotch brite pad of your choice may be used. Clean and dry your item thoroughly before painting.

Spray your object - All purpose primer/basecoat paint is provided in your ADK. Use this paint to apply an even coat to your object. Beware of applying too much as it may cause the paint to run. You may apply a second coat after a minimum of 2 hours. A second coat is advisable. Paint may take from 8 to 24 hours to cure sufficiently for the dipping process. This is mostly dependent upon the atmospheric conditions at the time (Hot/humid/cold/raining etc). Use multiple thin coats rather that one heavy coat. You may use tape to mask off areas you do not wish to paint. Keep your items clean during all processes.

Ensure your dipping tank is large enough and deep enough to cover your item once it is submerged. Cut a piece of film large enough to allow it to wrap around your object. At the beginning you are best to allow extra film rather than cutting too small. As you gain expertise with dipping you will be able to cut film to a more economical size.

To tell the correct way up, the film should naturally be trying to roll up when you put it on the water surface. When you receive the film, the outside of the film, as it is wrapped around the packaging, is the surface which will be placed on the water. Placing the incorrect side of the film on the surface of the water will cause the film to disintegrate. If unsure, test a small piece to confirm the correct way up.
Place some 12mm masking tape, or similar, on the topside (this is the side away from the water) at the edges of the film and overlap the corners (ie in a rectangular shape) This will act as a 4 sided barrier to control the spread of the film once the activator has been applied. The activator is the chemical that turns the film into a liquid floating on the top of the water.

Heat your water to 30°C. The strip thermometer supplied can be used to test the temperature of the water. If the reading (colour change) is between 29°C and 31°C then you are ready to proceed.

 
Lay the film down on the top of the water. Approach this step carefully.
You DO NOT want water on the top of the film as it will eat into it. Some water may creep onto the edges of the film but this should stop advancing and will be fine as long as you determine that there is enough film remaining to dip your object.
Also beware of air bubbles trapped under the film. Air bubbles will cause the film to not adhere to your object. One way of removing the air bubbles is to blow gently onto the surface of the film and direct the air bubble to the edge with the air pressure of your breath. Do this with caution as you do not want to get water on the top of the film.

Allow the film to sit on the water surface for 3 minutes. Time this reasonably precisely. After 3 minutes hold the spraycan marked Activator approximately 20 cm away from the film and spray Activator on the top surface of the film. Be sure to cover the entire film. Wait for approx 20 seconds before dipping. During this time you will see the film dissolve and change into a fluid layer of paint with the characteristics of the films pattern. Wait for this change to occur before starting the dipping process.

Hold your object at an approximate 30 degree angle. Dip with a slow careful push into the water. You need to try to push consistently with a downward and slightly forward motion, without stopping or reversing direction. You will see the paint layer wrap around your object. It is important to dip slowly to allow the paint to wrap without the water breaking through. Once your object is submerged, keep the object reasonably still for approx 15 seconds to allow the chemical process to stabilise. Carefully swirl your object to push remnants away. Do not contact the side of the container as you will mark your surface.

Remove your object and inspect. Do not touch the surface of your object. The surface will have a sticky coating on it from the film.

This needs to be gently rinsed away. Rinse object under a tap with lightly flowing cold running water. Fast running water could damage your newly coated surface. After a few minutes, your object should be free from the residue. You can inspect this by eye as the residue has a shiny quality about it.
It is possible to VERY CAREFULLY feel/rub the top of your object to wash away the residue. This is not recommended.
As every item is different, each may require a slightly different angle to dip at. You should definitely test this process with a few simpler items before trying to dip your most prized objects.
Dipping skills are developed through practice. Some complex shapes can be better dipped at particular angles. Sometimes it is better to mask off an area, dip and then reverse the mask and dip again.
Interesting combinations can be achieved this way. It is even possible with some films (Like Camo) to dip an object twice without masking (perhaps top and bottom) the effect can be worthwhile on some 360 degree objects.

After your object has been thoroughly washed and dried you may wish to add a clear coating to help protect the paint. At this point make sure you cannot see any of the sticky residue left on the surface. It must be completely washed off before any clear coat can be applied.

Aussie DipKits supplies a general purpose clear coating with each kit. However for prized objects you may wish to use your own Urethane based, or similar, clear coating for improved protection and finish.

Several light coats are best.

Please note clear coatings are sensitive to low temperature and/or high humidity environments. This may cause discolouring or cloudiness to the finish. Advised ambient temperature is between 20C and 25C.