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How to Hydro Dip

March 19, 2020

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Have you been wondering how to hydro dip? We have a very simple but fun tutorial so you can learn all about hydro dipping. Skip the hydro dip kits and make this easily at home for gorgeous hydro dipped items.

Have you been wondering how to hydro dip? We have a very simple but fun tutorial so you can learn all about hydro dipping.

Learning how to hydro dip is so fun!

We have been hearing a lot about hydro dipping lately so I wanted to learn exactly how to hydro dip. It really is super easy and a pretty cool process with a fabulous outcome.

Keep reading to see how easy this is and be prepared for a lot of fun! You are going to love these gorgeous hydro dipped items.

We did a water bottle and phone case. So cool!

Check out this video on how to hydro dip!

Have you been wondering how to hydro dip? We have a very simple but fun tutorial so you can learn all about hydro dipping.

What is hydro dipping?

Hydro dipping is the process of water transfer printing. It is simply using paint and water immersion to produce a cool water marbling technique on items.

It sounds fancy but it actually very simple.

What can you hydro dip?

The possibilities are really endless. Some ideas include: water bottle, cell phone case, shoes, baseball bat, helmet, tumblers and more!

How do you hydro dip:

In a few simple steps, you can easily turn plain items into something fabulous. Keep reading to see how easy it is!

Do I need to buy one of the hydro dip kits?

No, it is not necessary to buy a hydro dip kit.  We have listed all of the materials that you will need below as well as detailed instructions.

There really isn’t any need for a kit. Plus, buying the individual items will allow you to make more items for less money. The kits can be pricey and usually only come with a small amount of supplies.

Have you been wondering how to hydro dip? We have a very simple but fun tutorial so you can learn all about hydro dipping.

Let’s learn how to hydro dip!

Have you been wondering how to hydro dip? We have a very simple but fun tutorial so you can learn all about hydro dipping.

Supplies needed for hydro dipping:

  • Water
  • Spray Paint in the Color of your Choice
  • Primer 
  • Painter’s Tape 
  • Top Coat 
  • 3D item that you want to dip – We used a water bottle and cell phone cases.
Have you been wondering how to hydro dip? We have a very simple but fun tutorial so you can learn all about hydro dipping.

Check out this video to learn how to hydro dip!

How to hydro dip:

Step 1: Mask off any areas on your 3D item that you do not wanted painted with the masking tape.  The entire item will be dipped so make sure any part of the item that you do not want covered in paint is masked off with the tape.

Have you been wondering how to hydro dip? We have a very simple but fun tutorial so you can learn all about hydro dipping.

Step 2: Paint your 3D item that you plan to hydro dip with a primer of your choice.  We used a white spray paint primer on our items.  We used 2 coats to make sure that it’s fully covered.  Allow this paint to dry completely (probably will take 2-3 hours).

Have you been wondering how to hydro dip? We have a very simple but fun tutorial so you can learn all about hydro dipping.

Step 3: In a large plastic bin or bucket, fill 3/4 of the way to the top with warm water.  We used plastic bins that we found at the our local dollar store.  You will want to ensure that your bin is wide enough to hold the item that you will be dipping.

Have you been wondering how to hydro dip? We have a very simple but fun tutorial so you can learn all about hydro dipping.

Step 4: Choose the colors of the spray paint that you want for your item.  Spray the paint on the top of the water and use a stick to slowly swirl the colors together to get the design that you prefer.

You can also spray multiple areas and use the different colors to get the marbled affect that you like.

Have you been wondering how to hydro dip? We have a very simple but fun tutorial so you can learn all about hydro dipping.

Step 5: Then dip your item slowly into the water and paint mixture. We chose the area we liked based on the design on top of the water in that area.

You will want to completely dip the item into the water very slowly and then pull it straight up so it does not get additional paint on when it’s removed.  Allow the item to completely dry.

Have you been wondering how to hydro dip? We have a very simple but fun tutorial so you can learn all about hydro dipping.
Have you been wondering how to hydro dip? We have a very simple but fun tutorial so you can learn all about hydro dipping.

Step 6: Then apply a top coat to seal the paint onto the item.  Also allow this coat to dry completely.

Have you been wondering how to hydro dip? We have a very simple but fun tutorial so you can learn all about hydro dipping.

Now you know how to hydro dip with spray paint!

Make this easily at home with these simple DIY instructions. So fun!

Share with your friends how to hydro dip tumblers.

Have you been wondering how to hydro dip? We have a very simple but fun tutorial so you can learn all about hydro dipping.

How to hydro dip without spray paint:

If you do not want to use spray paint, use a hydro dip kit instead. This is an alternative method.

How to hydro dip shoes:

The concept is the same for hydro dipping shoes. Just be careful to tape off any logos, special markings and the insoles.

How to hydro dip a gun:

If you plan to dip a gun, I would suggest practicing on something easy first.  Get the hang of the actual process prior to using such an expensive item.

Just with the other items, it is also important to tape off anything on the gun that you do want tape on.

How to hydro dip with acrylic paint:

The process is the same.  Acrylic paint method tends to work great on canvas type items to make portraits and such.

Have you been wondering how to hydro dip? We have a very simple but fun tutorial so you can learn all about hydro dipping.

We have so much fun with DIY projects!

If your kids love to do fun DIY activities,  they will love to learn how to make floam! Your kids will be amazed and have a blast making this.

Learn how to make Homemade Playdough Recipes that your kids will go crazy over. It so easy to make homemade playdough and you can easily make scented, edible, glitter and more varieties of playdough at home!

If your kids love playdough, they are going to go crazy over this Color Changing Homemade Playdough Recipe.

It is so easy and frugal to make homemade bubbles and your kids will have a blast.

Learn how to make glue and save a ton of money on your craft projects.

Have you been wondering how to hydro dip? We have a very simple but fun tutorial so you can learn all about hydro dipping.

Try these other easy diy ideas:

  • Easy Homemade Playdough Recipes 
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Have you been wondering how to hydro dip? We have a very simple but fun tutorial so you can learn all about hydro dipping.

Filed Under: DIY, For Kids carrie 16 Comments

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Comments

  1. Marla says

    July 12, 2020 at 9:06 am

    Can I put letter stickers on the dipping item and before top coat peal it off?

    Reply
    • carrie says

      July 13, 2020 at 12:39 pm

      Yes, you can use the letter stickers or use tape to make the design that you would like to be on the object that you are dipping. It works great!

      Reply
  2. Sheila Parks says

    July 15, 2020 at 10:40 pm

    Can you hydro dip glass jars?

    and what do you use as a top coat?

    Reply
    • carrie says

      July 16, 2020 at 9:00 am

      Yes, you can hydro dip glass jars, but make sure that you coat it with a primer coat first so the paint will adhere to it. I usually top my projects with a coat of polyurethane. Thank you!

      Reply
  3. Robin says

    September 16, 2020 at 9:50 pm

    Can you use the squeeze out type paint like Apple barn instead of spray paint? And I bought some water bottles on clearance that are a dull colored finish. Should I prime them anyway?

    Reply
    • carrie says

      September 17, 2020 at 9:01 am

      I haven’t tried the squeeze paint before only spray paint so I’m not sure if that would work. I would still prime the water bottles as it helps the paint adhere better. Thank you!

      Reply
  4. RONA McFADDEN says

    October 6, 2020 at 2:41 pm

    I love how simple you made the hydro dip look. My only question is, if you did the whole bottle in the paint, the bottom of the bottle is also marbled, correct? How do you let it dry without the bottom not getting messed up?

    Reply
    • carrie says

      October 7, 2020 at 10:56 am

      We dipped each side at the same time. It still looked great on both sides and then we set the bottle up on the bottle to allow it to dry.

      Reply
  5. Shawnee Bell says

    October 8, 2020 at 9:34 am

    Can you do socks or shirts

    Reply
    • carrie says

      October 9, 2020 at 7:35 am

      I haven’t tried those before so I’m not sure. We only used hard objects as they are easier to pull through the paint. I think clothing would be difficult to keep straight to get a good design on it. If you try it, let me know how it turns out. Thank you!

      Reply
  6. Linda says

    December 15, 2020 at 4:23 am

    This is fabulous! Do you think it’s safe to make a candle in a hydro dipped glass jar after it dries? I think the alcohol in the spray paint would dissipate after drying??? Thank you for teaching me. I’m gonna try to make some for
    Christmas gifts.

    Reply
    • carrie says

      December 15, 2020 at 7:58 am

      Yes, I think that would work great – Let me know how they turn out!

      Reply
  7. Dani says

    January 1, 2021 at 8:31 pm

    So I tried. But I don’t know where I went wrong! It seems very rough. I don’t know if my water wasn’t hot enough or if I used the wrong spray paint, but something isn’t right. I am letting it dry now so I haven’t made it to the clear coat part yet.

    Reply
    • carrie says

      January 4, 2021 at 7:49 am

      Oh no, I’m not sure what happened. Mine wasn’t rough at all. You have to move pretty quickly once you spray the spray paint on the water. That’s the only thing I can think of.

      Reply
  8. Karen L Schneder says

    June 14, 2021 at 6:18 pm

    I think this is a wonderful project i paint bottles and make bird feeders. I cant wait to try this thank you.

    Reply
    • carrie says

      June 15, 2021 at 7:52 am

      I hope you enjoy it! Let us know how they turn out!

      Reply

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