I have a beater McMillan Winlite stock that I'd like to try this on. Looking at the MultiCam Arid pattern as I think that would be a good pattern for the area that this rifle will mainly get used in. Anyone know of a reasonable priced hydro dipping service that can handle the pattern I'm looking for?

Here is one on youtube, looks okay, I don't care for the gloss finish.

I had one of my .264 Win Mags that has a Brown Precision stock Hydro dipped A couple of years ago. It's not durable at all. Was not impressed. It is over sprayed with auto clear coat paint & dents and scratches really easy. Just a waste of money, IMO.
Krylon rattle can in tougher in my experience. And MUCH Cheaper!

Well the deal is the stock really isn't for me. I have a neighbor kid that's been helping me clean up my property, split wood, fix livestock pens, and maintain my vehicles. Generally he just comes over to help me out because he's always looking for something to do and has never asked for any money, though I've given him some on a regular basis or bought him some tools.

I have an old Win 670 that I'm going to give him for the help. His parents gave the okay as he loves to shoot and wants to hunt. I'm just trying to spruce it up a little for him as it's been a basket case since I bought it.

He knows he's getting it and he asked about doing the stock in digital camo or something similar. I told him I'd see what we could d0. I told him we could always just rattle can it camo and he's mulling that over as well.

Anyway, like I said it's just an old M670 in .270 Win. We are going to bed it to the McMillan Winlite and clean the stock up. I have a Burris FFII 3-9X40 that we're going to top it off with. Then were going to start teaching him how to build an accurate load at the bench for it.

These guys:
http://www.watermagicimaging.com/film-dipping.html

Did this for me:


KUIU Verde pattern... Also added a little bit of Shark Grip to the auto clear coat to add a little grip to it...

Northwest hydro print in montesano WA did this one quick turn around and 99$ plus shipping to and from. Good people very nice job hunted three years has held up great.

Those two look really nice. They have me thinking.

I had Bell and Carlson hydro dip a McMillan Ruger Ultralight stock 8 years ago. The product they used is tough. They didn't clear coat it either.

Never had any issues with any solvent. I take it through catclaw and other desert foliage without scratching it. It is colored natural gear. Unfortunately Bell and Carlson don't offer hydro dipping anymore.

I discovered you can add colors with a sharpie and even blend it in with a patch with some brake clean on it. To remove just wipe off with a saturated patch of brake clean. Sounds crazy but that natural gear is the perfect neutral color to add green, brown or black.

How is the grip? did you like it? Was it too much or just right, thanks.
I'm just thinking out loud.

Thanks again.

I had this Mcmillan for Winchester FWT stock done here three yrs ago. So far so good.
You can check out the different designs offered on his site.
http://www.virginiahydrodesigns.com/

Looks good! They must be better than the local guys here doing the Hydro Dip

Good on you for helping the kiddo out!

You sound just like Walt Kowalski, Clint Eastwood's character in the movie Gran Torino!

I like it. The guy that did the dip went sparingly on the Shark Grip. He was concerned it would be "too" aggressive. I think I would prefer a little more grip. But, will not know for certain until deer season. My local gun smith uses Shark grip regularly for LEO firearms. I can always have him amp it up over the winter...

Thanks for the reply.

Might think about getting a dig camo stencil kit from brownells. And use some rattle can paint.. I would bet he would have fun with you doing the project himself and it would have some meaning. I did one and it turned out pretty nice.

That's a thought too.

I'm not as cool as Walt!

Great movie.

I don't get all the camo painted rifles. Do you want to have to look for it when you set it down? Unless you are hiding it from other people, camo on a rifle is 100% superfluous; especially on a long range rig like most guys want to do. I will go along with it for turkey hunting but even then it is probably not needed. Hold still and they won't see you.

Best Hydro dip color I've ever seen....nice!

I like the way it looks...

Camo is certainly more interesting than plain old black.

Just got this back from Northwest Hydrographic. I had it done it Kryptek Highlander and had the rubbery stuff (technical term I know) applied to it. I'm more than happy with how it turned out. The stock is an original Ti.

Looks Good. There is a greener version of that pattern that I considered for my locale before I eventually settled on the KUIU pattern.

I think my next one will be Kryptek Highlander. This is skeletor!

The kryptek patterns are awesome. Looks great.

Thanks

Warren, did you remove the recoil pad before the application?

I assume you did, but figured I'd ask. I'm going to send one off and wondered...
Was your stock super smooth before dipping or was there some texture?
Thanks for posting.

Frank,

Recoil pad was not removed. Has a little bit of transition from the rubber to the film/clear coat. It's there. I don't notice it or pay attention to it. The stock had the normal KS texture to it prior to sending it off. The applicator told me he invested some time in sanding it smooth to ensure good adhesion of the film. So the base stock is now fairly smooth, except for the grip additive in the clear coat.

Not sure if a different applicator could dip it with the factory texture and have it adhere properly without chipping. Deer season is 3 or 4 weeks away. Need to get the new 6x36 dialed in so I can take it out and play in the rain when season rolls around. Hope to have empirical data on wet weather "grip" by end of November...

I like the kuiu patterns I had one done but not overly impressed how it held up I'd like to try one of these other guys your talking about and would like the rubbery stuff put on heavy!

Much appreciate the insights...
I've smooth sanded mine, looking for max adhesion.
I did some inlet/channel work anyway so it was already partially smoothed up on the forestock.
I'd really like to see that shark grip/verde finish up close if you get the chance to photo and post.

Warren, just wondering how the shark grip fared with the Hydrodip this deer season....any thoughts?

Any idea to how much weight it adds?

Was wondering if it's an option on an Edge that hasn't been painted.

Not Warren, but mine has held up very well this season. It's been carried in a pack, across my back, on a 4 wheeler and in a tree stand for 2 weeks straight. The finish doesn't show any signs of wear at all.

Excellent, Thanks for the update.
Who applied the dip/clear coat if you don't mind sharing?

Frank, as they say "Life happens." I managed to get in two hours of deer hunting on the next to the last (sunny) afternoon of KY rifle season. Rifle still looks the same. Of course, it has rained just about every day since then. Still no "hands on" evaluation of the Shark Grip in wet weather. Did manage to take a button buck for the freezer. So, a modicum of success.


Teal, On my KS stock, film + clear coated added 1.5 oz. Started off at 27.0 oz. Ended up at 28.5 oz.

These guys did mine and it was maybe a 2 week turnaround.

http://www.northwesthydroprint.com

I just contacted them about doing a Savage 99 22-250 just like that. Love it.

Received my dipped stocks recently.

Work looks good...did wife's Kimber in Kuiu Verde, and my LH micky in Kuiu Vias.

Work was done by Northwest hydroprint. $91.50 each and that included matte clear applied and return shipping priority.
Northwest's communication was terrible, zero email support/updates and their turnaround time was a bit long compared to some here, about three weeks-month.
I'd use them again for the quality and price.
The dip added about .8 ounces to my lightweight rig...

Looking good...

broomd, those two look great.