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What Do you Need for Hydro Dipping or Marbelizing?

Hydro dipping or marbelizing is the art of using water and spray paint or nail polish to create a unique finish on dated, bargain buys, thrift store finds, or secondhand bargains.

21/02/2023

 

 

 

 

Every few years or so a new craft pops up that makes a splash on social media. At this moment, hydro dipping is popping up everywhere and, while this is not something brand new, it is a fun way to experiment and give a unique finish to an assortment of items. You can use the hydro dipping method to re-finish dated, bargain buys, thrift store finds, or secondhand bargains to give them a new look and save yourself some money in the process.

 

 

 

Hydro dipping, also known as water image transfer or marbelizing, lets you 'paint' items with swirls of your favourite colours and the use of water as the medium ensures that the paint transfers onto the item. One thing you will discover about hydro dipping is that it is easy and so much fun!

 

 

Combine your favourite colours and experiment with patterns by swirling the colours on the surface of the water.

 

 

 

 

What do you need for hydro dipping?

Another reason that hydro dipping is so fun is that you don't need much in the way of supplies.  Here is what you will need to start hydro dipping:

 

 

Bucket or tub of clean water

Selection of colourful spray paints OR

Colourful nail polish

Stirrer stick - a pine skewer works great

Rubber gloves

Plastic drop cloth

Something to rest items on until the paint dries

 

 

 

 

 

 

Method for hydro dipping

There are two choices when it comes to hydro dipping: 1) Using spray paint or,2) using nail polish. Both provide excellent results but nail polish is far more durable and long-lasting. Both options can easily be cleaned but neither is suitable for a dishwasher or microwave, so keep this in mind.

 

 

Step 1 - Add water

Fill your container with clean water. Don't fill the container completely as the water will rise when you plunge in the item being hydro dipped, so only fill to about three-quarters full.

 

 

 

 

Step 2 - Spray paint or nail polish

If using spray paint, shake the cans well and hold about 20cm above the level of the water. Lightly spray each can so that it leaves a film on top of the water.

 

 

For nail polish, tip the bottle and slowly spill the nail polish over the surface of the water.

 

 

 

 

Step 3 - Swirl

When using more than a single colour, use a skewer to gently swirl the paint or polish on the surface.

 

 

 

 

Step 4 - Dip

Pop on your gloves so that you can dip items slowly into the coated water. You don't need to move the item around, simply dunk and lift before placing the item where it can dry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hydro dipping with nail polish gives a longer-lasting finish to items.

 

 

 

 

Hydro dipping to add a colourful design to items is fun but messy, so be sure to put down a drop cloth to prevent paint spills and spatter, put on old clothes or an apron, and wear rubber gloves. You can repeat this method on any item until the paint is all used up and then use a stick or wooden spoon to remove any remaining paint to dispose of.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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