Author Topic: Hydro-Graphics: An alternative to paint  (Read 4625 times)

Offline philipintexas

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 480
  • Country: us
    • Phils Farkels
Hydro-Graphics: An alternative to paint
« on: February 25, 2013, 02:20:37 PM »
It's been a long time since I've seen references to this subject, but it's a really neat process that can be applied to lots of different surfaces on any bike. I like the carbon fiber look but don't want to pay for the real thing. I had some blah black panels done on my other bike, which I won't name, pictured below. It costs around $.35 a sq. inch which makes it comparable to paint, maybe even cheaper.  There are lots of different patterns available from hearts to skulls to camouflage and even woodgrains. How about a burl-walnut dash? Lots of people want to color match trunk lids or panels but this might be a different approach.
There are local places springing up as they don't need a huge investment in equipment, some are probably better than others so it pays to check them out and see some completed work.

« Last Edit: February 25, 2013, 03:36:21 PM by philipintexas »
Need a better luggage rack?  www.philsfarkels.com

Offline VirginiaJim

  • Administrator
  • Elite Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11365
  • Country: england
  • I've forgotten more than I'll ever know...
    • Kawasaki 1400GTR
Re: Hydro-Graphics: An alternative to paint
« Reply #1 on: February 25, 2013, 02:51:40 PM »
Someone mention burl?  Amboyan perhaps? 

I do like that carbon fiber look.  How hard is it to apply or do you have to send out the pieces?
"LOCTITE®"  The original thread locker...  #11  2020 Indian Roadmaster, ABS, Cruise control, heated grips and seats/w/AC 46 Monitoring with cutting edge technology U.N.I.T is Back! Member in good standing with the Knights of MEH.

Offline gPink

  • Arena
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5690
  • Country: cn
  • MMVIII C XIV

Offline maxtog

  • Elite Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 8948
  • Country: us
  • 2011 Silver
Shoodaben (was Guhl) Mountain Runner ECU flash, Canyon Cages front/rear, Helibars risers, Phil's wedges, Grip Puppies, Sargent World seat-low & heated & pod, Muzzy lowering links, Soupy's stand, Nautilus air horn, Admore lightbar, Ronnie's highway pegs, front running lights, all LED, helmet locks, RAM Xgrip, Sena SMH10, Throttle Tamer, MRA X-Creen, BearingUp Shifter, PR4-GT, Scorpion EXO-T1200,etc

Offline ZG

  • Arena
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6677
  • Country: us
Re: Hydro-Graphics: An alternative to paint
« Reply #4 on: February 25, 2013, 03:25:59 PM »
Someone mention burl?  Amboyan perhaps? 

 ;D   :chugbeer:

Offline jamiemac

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 605
  • Country: us
Re: Hydro-Graphics: An alternative to paint
« Reply #5 on: February 25, 2013, 03:38:38 PM »
Neat stuff. I think I'll woodgrain the mid panels on My C14, and buy some whitewall tires. I'll have the only Woody Connie on the planet.
2008 C14, Area-P carbon fiber, PCV, Rostra Cruise, LAAM leather seat, Optilux 1500 & MondoMoto MM10 lights, Cee Bailey windshield, BMC air filter, Warm & Safe dual dash mounted heat troller.

Offline Conrad

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5822
  • Country: us
Re: Hydro-Graphics: An alternative to paint
« Reply #6 on: February 25, 2013, 03:42:31 PM »
Neat stuff. I think I'll woodgrain the mid panels on My C14, and buy some whitewall tires. I'll have the only Woody Connie on the planet.

Northern Illinois   Silverdammit '08 C-14 ABS

"Don't bother me with facts, Son. I've already made up my mind." -Foghorn Leghorn

Offline 556ALPHA

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1284
  • Country: us
  • 2009 Candy Diamond Red
Re: Hydro-Graphics: An alternative to paint
« Reply #7 on: February 25, 2013, 03:44:09 PM »
Post a photo of the entire bike if you have time.  Thanks Phil.

Offline gPink

  • Arena
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5690
  • Country: cn
  • MMVIII C XIV

Offline jamiemac

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 605
  • Country: us
2008 C14, Area-P carbon fiber, PCV, Rostra Cruise, LAAM leather seat, Optilux 1500 & MondoMoto MM10 lights, Cee Bailey windshield, BMC air filter, Warm & Safe dual dash mounted heat troller.

Offline philipintexas

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 480
  • Country: us
    • Phils Farkels
Re: Hydro-Graphics: An alternative to paint
« Reply #10 on: February 25, 2013, 04:41:26 PM »
Post a photo of the entire bike if you have time.  Thanks Phil.
It's not a Concours, but here it is.
As far as cost, there are 3 pieces on each side and the total cost was $220, prices may vary. I thought it was money well spent.
Need a better luggage rack?  www.philsfarkels.com

Offline jamiemac

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 605
  • Country: us
Re: Hydro-Graphics: An alternative to paint
« Reply #11 on: February 25, 2013, 05:11:07 PM »
Very cool, Phil!
2008 C14, Area-P carbon fiber, PCV, Rostra Cruise, LAAM leather seat, Optilux 1500 & MondoMoto MM10 lights, Cee Bailey windshield, BMC air filter, Warm & Safe dual dash mounted heat troller.

Offline ljcorby

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 439
  • Country: us
  • COG#: 9359
Re: Hydro-Graphics: An alternative to paint
« Reply #12 on: February 25, 2013, 06:01:37 PM »
Nice
10 Kawi Concours 14 ABS

Offline 556ALPHA

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1284
  • Country: us
  • 2009 Candy Diamond Red
Re: Hydro-Graphics: An alternative to paint
« Reply #13 on: February 25, 2013, 06:49:24 PM »
Beautiful bike Phil.  I had an 08 and my wife loved it.  Was the company local or how did you get the lower bags done?  Is that a 2013 or did you have the sides panels painted to match?

Offline philipintexas

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 480
  • Country: us
    • Phils Farkels
Re: Hydro-Graphics: An alternative to paint
« Reply #14 on: February 25, 2013, 07:29:43 PM »
It's a 2013, I only had the panels done, the 2013's come with color matching mid-panel except in some colors. I found a shop South of Ft. Worth to do mine.
Need a better luggage rack?  www.philsfarkels.com

Offline 556ALPHA

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1284
  • Country: us
  • 2009 Candy Diamond Red
Re: Hydro-Graphics: An alternative to paint
« Reply #15 on: February 25, 2013, 08:10:21 PM »
Beautiful color. 

Offline stevewfl

  • Arena
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4268
  • Country: 00
Re: Hydro-Graphics: An alternative to paint
« Reply #16 on: February 25, 2013, 09:58:52 PM »
Neat stuff. I think I'll woodgrain the mid panels on My C14, and buy some whitewall tires. I'll have the only Woody Connie on the planet.

I'd like to see that, I know it would get the attention Ok
“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” St. Augustine

Son of Pappy

  • Guest
Re: Hydro-Graphics: An alternative to paint
« Reply #17 on: February 25, 2013, 10:21:34 PM »