Hydro Dipped Mask

[blue32]

Inspired by all of the great ideas on this board, as well as that hideous American flag mask, I decided to try something unique. The funny thing is, while I waited for my mask to get done over the past several weeks, some of you all started sharing chest protectors that you vinyl wrapped with a carbon fiber print. I don't like to talk about something until I have it in hand. I guess I don't want to jinx it or something. So, I looked around locally for someone that could do this for me, and found a shop that did. For those that have never heard of it, it's a fairly recent method of coating a metal surface using film and actuator chemicals that forms a bond that is very durable. It's become very popular in the automotive (rims, engine parts, trim) as well as the firearms industry.

My first thought was that I wanted to do a carbon fiber print. These guys did an amazing job. The pictures look pretty good, but they don't do it justice. It is an amazing looking mask, in my opinion. 

Anyway, I wanted to share it with you all, and see what you think. For those that are curious about the price, I'm sure it varies by the area you live, but I paid $100. I know, it was spendy, but I look at it as less than a doubleheader. 

 

[MadMax]

You no doubt were told, @blue32, that the Cost Per Unit drops considerably when you get into quantities of the same print. The one-off price is so high because you're taking resources (time, chemicals, labor) that would otherwise be optimized by doing 10, 20, 50 or more at a time... 

With that said... where's the one for me? 

[Thunderheads]

NOW THAT is a sharp looking mask!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  WOW!  

[blue32]

Thanks guys. @MadMax-yes, there is a definitely a "quantity discount" so to speak. The place that did it has a $500 minimum, but they did it for less because it was added to a production run they were getting ready to do anyway. The mask itself is a Wilson Dyna Lite aluminum I picked up for $75, so with this finish, I have $175 into it. Based on what masks are going for these days, I think it's a pretty fair amount to have into a mask that is, for now, a one of a kind.

Now my thoughts have turned to dipping the outer shell parts of one of my CP's to match. (Not the Riddell) Not sure if I would get the same $100 deal though. It would also be labor intensive, because if I want to do it right, I would have to drill out the rivets to disassemble the parts, and then reassemble it after. Maybe that could be an off-season project. Hmmmm... 

[catsbackr]

That is a BAD ASS mask!

[acpar72]

looks sharp

[wolfe_man]

I like the idea of dipping, but the cost is a little extreme for me.  It looks great.  How does it hold up if hit by a foul ball?

[Thunderheads]

@blue32 ....

OK ...so I think I have a mask coming and I may want to have it dipped like yours!  

So, who else is in, so we can all get a discount ?!?! LMAO!!  

[blue32]

18 minutes ago, Thunderheads said:

@blue32 ....

OK ...so I think I have a mask coming and I may want to have it dipped like yours!  

So, who else is in, so we can all get a discount ?!?! LMAO!!  

Check around, you might find a shop locally that would do it for a lot less than you'd think. I may have paid too much, but it wouldn't be the first time. 

[blue32]

24 minutes ago, wolfe_man said:

I like the idea of dipping, but the cost is a little extreme for me.  It looks great.  How does it hold up if hit by a foul ball?

From what I have read, it's very durable. It's used on rifle stocks quite a bit, with the most common complaint being that over time, the sling has a tendency to rub a wear mark. Time will tell, but it should be just fine. 

[wolfe_man]

3 minutes ago, blue32 said:

From what I have read, it's very durable. It's used on rifle stocks quite a bit, with the most common complaint being that over time, the sling has a tendency to rub a wear mark. Time will tell, but it should be just fine. 

That makes sense, as they use it on auto parts as well (like rims).  I'm sure that rocks and road debris would make it wear much more than a baseball would.

[blue32]

Just now, wolfe_man said:

That makes sense, as they use it on auto parts as well (like rims).  I'm sure that rocks and road debris would make it wear much more than a baseball would.

Those were my thoughts, exactly. You can also get DIY kits as well, but I'm not crafty enough to trust that i would do a good job.

[Ty]

That turned out amazing. Serious mask porn!

[stkjock]

Looks nice, are there any real CF masks on the market?  gotta believe they'd be awful light weight for you gents.

[Stk004]

4 hours ago, wolfe_man said:

I like the idea of dipping, but the cost is a little extreme for me.  It looks great.  How does it hold up if hit by a foul ball?

For what it's worth, theres a shop about 2 hours away from me that said they could do a mask for $45. It's worth exploring the different places in your area. They aren't as large scale as the place @blue32 had it done at, so that could explain the lower price. The only downside is the quoted 5-6 week turnaround time. 

[blue32]

32 minutes ago, Stk004 said:

For what it's worth, theres a shop about 2 hours away from me that said they could do a mask for $45. It's worth exploring the different places in your area. They aren't as large scale as the place @blue32 had it done at, so that could explain the lower price. The only downside is the quoted 5-6 week turnaround time. 

Yeah I should have done a little better job on my homework, but that's what I heard all through school! Oh well, I just finished a tourney that I made a ton of cash at, so it doesn't hurt too much. I just found another place locally that looks like it would be less expensive. Yeah, my lead time was 4 weeks, which I didn't mind, since I had a couple other masks I was able to use. 

[blue32]

1 hour ago, Ty said:

That turned out amazing. Serious mask porn!

Thanks man!

59 minutes ago, stkjock said:

Looks nice, are there any real CF masks on the market?  gotta believe they'd be awful light weight for you gents.

None yet. I would imagine actual CF would be pretty expensive, no?

[stkjock]

6 minutes ago, blue32 said:

None yet. I would imagine actual CF would be pretty expensive, no?

likely so, but prices have been coming WAY down in the automotive world, still pricey but down huge percentage. 

 

some of the hydro dipped stuff I've seen on car interiors and engine bays have been outrageous. 

[catsbackr]

I had this dipped 2 years ago:

 

 

[stkjock]

Well you are from TN  

 

 

[SJA]

Just contacted this company in my area (Maryland) ref my Wilson Ti Mask dipped in CF. $65.00. Customer Service answering my questions was excellent! Check out their website :-)

[catsbackr]

6 hours ago, stkjock said:

Well you are from TN  

 

 

Patron state of shooting stuff!

[stkjock]

 glad u got the reference 

[blue32]

13 hours ago, SJA said:

Just contacted this company in my area (Maryland) ref my Wilson Ti Mask dipped in CF. $65.00. Customer Service answering my questions was excellent! Check out their website :-)

That's a good price. Just wanted to give you a heads up, if anyone gets this done, I was given 2 options-a semi gloss finish, or a high gloss finish. I went with the semi gloss. It gave it more of a matte finish, which is what I preferred. I didn't want it super glossy.

Also, if you want to get adventurous, you can do the CF in different colors also.

[catsbackr]

18 hours ago, stkjock said:

 glad u got the reference 

Yeah, there's no denying we do like our guns.