Getting started with Hydro Dipping
Hydro dipping is a fun and creative way to personalize your tumblers and more!
Hydro Dipping with marbling paints is where paint resting on the surface of water is transferred onto an object through dipping. It produces some psychedelic effects, is incredibly simple, and no two dips will ever look alike!
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hydro dip your tumblers:
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Clean the tumbler: Before starting the hydro dipping process, make sure your Makerflo tumbler is clean and free of any oils, dirt, or debris. You can use soap and water or rubbing alcohol to clean it thoroughly.
2 Prep your tumbler: This is an optional step, we would recommend either starting with a light or white tumbler, or spray painting a stainless steel tumbler. (this will ensure the best color transfer possible). Makerflo offers a wide selection of Powder Coated and Stainless Steel tumblers to choose from. If you do spray paint your tumbler, be sure to give it time to dry before dipping, typically 24 hours.
3 Gather your dipping tools: You will need to select your Marabu Marbling Paints, then grab a shallow tray or container, gloves, and something to hold the tumbler such as a turner arm and stand.
4 Prepare the water: Fill a container with lukewarm water and place it on a flat surface. The container should be deep enough to submerge the entire tumbler. If you are dipping smaller items like keychains or pen chambers, a small container will suffice.
5 Get your Marabu Marbling Paint: Shake the Marabu Marbling Paints well before using them. Choose your desired colors and squeeze a small amount of each paint onto the surface of the water. It's best to start with light colors and work up to darker ones. Use a toothpick, skewer, or any other tool with a fine point to swirl the paints together. You can create various designs and patterns by swirling the colors in different directions.
6 Dip the tumbler: Slowly lower your Makerflo tumbler into the water, making sure to submerge it completely, being careful not to drag it back through the paint. You can use gloves to avoid getting your hands dirty. Once fully submerged, be sure to use your finger or tool to move the remaining paint away from the surface of the water and then pull the tumbler out. Once the paint has transferred to the tumbler, carefully remove it from the water and rinse it with clean water to remove any excess paint.
7 Let it dry: Leave the tumbler to dry completely. It will take about 2-8 hours for the paint to completely dry, depending on how much paint you have used. If you are using a convection oven or heat gun, it will take about 30 minutes to an hour for the tumbler to fully dry. Once it is fully dry, you can apply Flopoxy clear coat on it to maintain the life of the applied paint.
8 Coat it: For maximum life of your Makerflo tumbler, we recommend coating it with a thin coat of Flopoxy (or any FDA compliant Epoxy for eating and drinking surfaces). This will protect your masterpiece and ensure it’s safe to drink out of! Look at how stunning this Makerflo 20oz Thick tumbler turned out!
