O'l Luigi's hydrodip

ducmarc

AH enthusiast
Joined
Mar 18, 2016
Messages
259
Reaction score
587
Fixing to go duck hunting with the son inlaw I dig out the only 3 1/2 shotgun I have a franchi 912 I picked up a few years ago it's always shot good but needed a good cleaning.i take it apart and the hydrodip is crumbling up everywhere in the action.mostly looks like overspray.naturally dumbass me brake cleans it and more comes off even the red off the safety. good thing I'm part Italian.So should try to strip it ?if so what's under it or leave it in case I need it for a paddle.when I raced Ducatis my friend said your allowed to complain about them cuz u own one.
 
Pardon my confusion but by hydrodip do you mean a camoflauge coating? I've just always wondered how that stuff held up long term to exposure, wear and chemicals.

Either way there is always spraypaint. The textured stuff holds up pretty well on my 870 and gives a good grip. Easy touchup as well.
 
Getting all the hydrodip off is going to be a pain. If it were me, I would probably media blast it with walnut shell or something on the metal parts. The problem is, the plastic parts of the stock are going to be damaged by the blasting.

I agree with the cerkote. Send it off to a pro, let them cerakote it. Rattlecan spray paint is a sure fire way to take whatever equity you had in the gun at all and flush it down the toilet. If you want to see what rattle can looks like a few years later, checkout my thread on rebuilding a .458 win mag whitworth that had it.

On top of that, spray paint that doesnt cure or is old is a common problem. You may end up with a gun that feels like it's covered in adhesive.

$300 is probably worth it to go with a durable finish like cerakote.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CJW
Cerakote should be done in an oven. Don't know how that would work on plastic parts. Although there's a learning curve, you can hydrodip it yourself but there are outfits that will do it for you and it'll be a professional job done with the correct base paint, camo pattern dip material and top coat.
I did this one in snow camo.

IMG_20180829_192845170.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: CJW
Cerakote should be done in an oven. Don't know how that would work on plastic parts. Although there's a learning curve, you can hydrodip it yourself but there are outfits that will do it for you and it'll be a professional job done with the correct base paint, camo pattern dip material and top coat.
I did this one in snow camo.

View attachment 445056
Cerakote works great even on plastic. It isn't cooked at high temperature. Glock frames are routinely cerkoted. But you're right, not something I would attempt. Cerakote is best left to a professional.
 
Ceracoat is a good thought. Im wondering if they took a blued gun and dipped it.ive never seen a 912 that wasn't dipped but I haven't looked hard.it almost looks blued and anodized aluminum underneath.
 
Cerakote should be done in an oven. Don't know how that would work on plastic parts. Although there's a learning curve, you can hydrodip it yourself but there are outfits that will do it for you and it'll be a professional job done with the correct base paint, camo pattern dip material and top coat.
I did this one in snow camo.

View attachment 445056

You did that yourself? Looks great.
 
Getting all the hydrodip off is going to be a pain. If it were me, I would probably media blast it with walnut shell or something on the metal parts. The problem is, the plastic parts of the stock are going to be damaged by the blasting.

I agree with the cerkote. Send it off to a pro, let them cerakote it. Rattlecan spray paint is a sure fire way to take whatever equity you had in the gun at all and flush it down the toilet. If you want to see what rattle can looks like a few years later, checkout my thread on rebuilding a .458 win mag whitworth that had it.

On top of that, spray paint that doesnt cure or is old is a common problem. You may end up with a gun that feels like it's covered in adhesive.

$300 is probably worth it to go with a durable finish like cerakote.

Good points on the spray paint. I only did it because I'll never sell it anyway and it was just as ugly before.
 
You did that yourself? Looks great.
Just for comparison, did this one with a tan base coat and different camo pattern. Action is a gray cerakoted Pierce.

IMG_20180716_191527019.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: CJW
Fixing to go duck hunting with the son inlaw I dig out the only 3 1/2 shotgun I have a franchi 912 I picked up a few years ago it's always shot good but needed a good cleaning.i take it apart and the hydrodip is crumbling up everywhere in the action.mostly looks like overspray.naturally dumbass me brake cleans it and more comes off even the red off the safety. good thing I'm part Italian.So should try to strip it ?if so what's under it or leave it in case I need it for a paddle.when I raced Ducatis my friend said your allowed to complain about them cuz u own one.
Assuming its functioning (it is a Franchi ;) ), then I wouldn't worry about it. The ducks certainly won't.

A Franchi tends to be light for gauge. I can not imagine touching off a 3.5 inch shell in one. :oops:Then again, I have no use for a 3.5 in anything, so I am probably wrong in even commenting.
 
Just for comparison, did this one with a tan base coat and different camo pattern. Action is a gray cerakoted Pierce.

View attachment 445161

I've seen people do various objects on TV in a professional setting but never knew there was an at home option. I'm a blued metal, wood stock guy but synthetics and protected metal have their place so it might as well look decent. It might be a good option for the OP.

How does it hold up to long term use, chemicals and such? Do you need to re-do it every few years?
 
Doesn't hold up as well as cerakote but if the proper base coat and top clear coat are used, it holds up as well as factory applied.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CJW
Fixing to go duck hunting with the son inlaw I dig out the only 3 1/2 shotgun I have a franchi 912 I picked up a few years ago it's always shot good but needed a good cleaning.i take it apart and the hydrodip is crumbling up everywhere in the action.mostly looks like overspray.naturally dumbass me brake cleans it and more comes off even the red off the safety. good thing I'm part Italian.So should try to strip it ?if so what's under it or leave it in case I need it for a paddle.when I raced Ducatis my friend said your allowed to complain about them cuz u own one

I have the perfect solution to your issue. Sending you a PM.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
58,757
Messages
1,269,426
Members
105,828
Latest member
ChaseOrlan
 

 

 

Latest profile posts

updated available dates for 2025 season,

14-19 March
1-4 April
22-28 April
9-30 June
25-31 July
September and October is wide open

Thank you for the bookings Gents headed to USA soon get your dates booked they are going quick!
*** SPECIAL OFFER ***
5400bdb0-f0a7-407a-a64b-61d4966d1a96.JPG

EC Hunting Safaris is offering an "Early Season" Special.
Confirm your hunt by End Feb 2025, and receive 5% DISCOUNT on your Safari package, or tailor-made package, AS WELL AS, FREE RIFLE HIRE & AMMO.
Send us a message and secure your Special Offer
 
Top