Does Hydro Dipping (water transfer) affect gun value?

Miketodd04 · July 16, 2012, 02:52 PM

Title basically says it all. I've found an interesting springer 1911 thats been hydro dipped in a carbon fiber pattern. It looks awesome, but i'm afraid that it might affect the overall value of the firearm. Any thoughts or anyone with experiance?

Doyle · July 16, 2012, 02:57 PM

I would say yes. For a collector type gun, the answer is absolutely - no doubt about it. For a shooter, I would give a qualified yes for two reasons. One, the custom pattern is going to be something the original owner might have liked but not everyone else may like it. That in itself is bound to have some effect on the price. Then there is the "what lies beneath" question. If I were looking at a gun that had been dipped, the first question I would ask is "what is he trying to hide under that pattern?".

ScottRiqui · July 16, 2012, 03:33 PM

If it's done well, and it's something that the potential buyer really likes, then it may not lower the price much, if at all (assuming that the buyer isn't looking for a collector piece).

I would be concerned about the durability of a hydro-dipped finish, though. I've only seen it used on car/motorcycle parts, and I don't know how well it would hold up to sweat, abrasion, heat and cleaning chemicals.

RickB · July 16, 2012, 04:06 PM

So, you're going to use the information to try for a price reduction, or you're worried that if you buy it, nobody else would be willing to buy it from you?

**Tom Servo** · July 16, 2012, 04:08 PM

I've seen firearms ruined by the Hydro Dipping process. It does change tolerances slightly, and since it's usually applied by shops that don't know guns well, it can cause problems.

It's not a process meant for firearms, and as such, I'd wonder if it was a quick way for the prior owner to cover up abuse or serious neglect. I'd treat it like the bumper-chrome and sloppy nickel plating finishes I frequently see.

Unless you're very comfortable doing a detailed strip and inspection (and if the seller allows it), I'd pass.

Stealth01 · July 16, 2012, 04:14 PM

Or it can be done by a shop that knows firearms, knows how to properly prepare the firearm and returns to you a properly functioning firearm!

Kreyzhorse · July 16, 2012, 06:35 PM

Yes it will effect the value of the gun if you attempt to sell it. Granted, you might find one person willing to pay a pretty penny for it, but overall, you likely won't get your money back out of it.

Bill DeShivs · July 16, 2012, 11:59 PM

When you try to sell a house with a swimming pool, you'll find out that NO ONE really wants a pool...... whether they really do or not.

ScottRiqui · July 17, 2012, 12:11 AM

That's the truth - I'll be retiring in two years and looking for a house back in Texas. I'll take one with a pool if everything else about the house is right, but I certainly won't pay a premium anywhere close to what it cost the previous owner to put it in.

As for the Hydro-dipping, is there any kind of coating put over it? Like I said, I'd only seen it on car/bike parts, where they top it off with a polyurethane clear coat. Pretty, to be sure, but not particularly durable.

Miketodd04 · July 17, 2012, 07:39 AM

I'm not sure about the coating over the graphics. I've only seen pictures. The only reason I'm concerned is due to the amount of $$ i would spend. I like to buy firearms as an investment. Like I said, It looks awesome, but just makes me nervous.
Thanks for all of the input!

Dashunde · July 17, 2012, 08:07 AM

This Springer, is it regular carbon steel?
The more expensive the gun, the worse it gets.
At least stainless can be bead blasted to a decent finish.

Your worried about it (rightfully so) therefore...

YOU should be the one to buy it cheap so that you dont have to worry about taking a bath on it.
It doesnt matter if you like it on a personal level, your concern is the same that the next guy will have.
And if it scratches easily or causes functionality issues you wont like it for long either.

I wouldnt touch it for anything close to regular price.
I'd be at 1/2 of normal value.

Skans · July 17, 2012, 08:31 AM

Let me just put it this way - I wouldn't pay anything for a gun with that finish - even if it was a gun I normally would be interested in. I just don't have the time and patience to return it back to it's original condition, nor the room to store guns that I can never grow to love.

You can bet it takes people like me completely out of the market for a gun that has been finished in that manner. But, I would bet that the finish wouldn't add anyone new to the market looking for that type of firearm. A net decrease in demand always lowers the resale value.

scottl · July 17, 2012, 09:01 AM

Quote:

I've found an interesting springer 1911 thats been hydro dipped in a carbon fiber pattern.

This one was done by Springfield's Custom Shop.Photo is from Quack's Gun Blog and from this years Shot Show.

Pricing from Custom Shop worksheet.
❑ Xtremeflauge complete pistol (Custom patterns available.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Beg. $265.00
❑ Xtremeflauge slide & slide small parts only (Custom patterns available) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beg. $150.00
❑ Xtremeflauge frame & frame small parts only (Custom patterns available) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beg. $165.00

CCCLVII · July 17, 2012, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Or it can be done by a shop that knows firearms, knows how to properly prepare the firearm and returns to you a properly functioning firearm!

Stealth01 that is very well done. I love the detail put in to that gun. That is some thing I would be proud to own, resale value or not.

ScottRiqui · July 17, 2012, 09:20 AM

I'm almost certain that "Xtremeflauge" isn't a water-transfer finish, but rather just a pattern that's applied with an airbrush and then baked for durability.

Miketodd04 · July 17, 2012, 02:02 PM

Thanks for all the input guys!

RsqVet · July 17, 2012, 07:12 PM

Some people here just had to have those carbon fiber pattern guns about 4 or 5 years ago. Now they seem to sit in the used rack cheaper than a gun without it.

Frankly I think most gun people like real materials, a fake carbon fiber finsh just seem... Well fake. Love real carbon fiber materials like grips.

Dashunde · July 17, 2012, 10:49 PM

^I agree. The fake carbon on metal does nothing for me, but the two guns above look kinda cool, nice patterns and colors.

FiveInADime · July 18, 2012, 02:13 AM

Don't you guys know that carbon fiber makes things 32% faster? Fake carbon fiber is almost as good. If you want your gun (or car) to be fast and 4 times as durable you should deck it out with carbon fiber or at least a hydro-dipped Patten simulating it. Just like in the 70's when they figured out that fake walnut veneer made home speakers sound 10x better. Don't pass this thing up OP.

Sent From My Galaxy S 4g Using Tapatalk

July 16, 2012, 02:52 PM	#1
Miketodd04 Member Join Date: June 15, 2007 Location: Northwest Indiana Posts: 98	Does Hydro Dipping (water transfer) affect gun value? Title basically says it all. I've found an interesting springer 1911 thats been hydro dipped in a carbon fiber pattern. It looks awesome, but i'm afraid that it might affect the overall value of the firearm. Any thoughts or anyone with experiance?

July 16, 2012, 04:08 PM	#5
Tom Servo Staff Join Date: September 27, 2008 Location: Foothills of the Appalachians Posts: 13,059	I've seen firearms ruined by the Hydro Dipping process. It does change tolerances slightly, and since it's usually applied by shops that don't know guns well, it can cause problems. It's not a process meant for firearms, and as such, I'd wonder if it was a quick way for the prior owner to cover up abuse or serious neglect. I'd treat it like the bumper-chrome and sloppy nickel plating finishes I frequently see. Unless you're very comfortable doing a detailed strip and inspection (and if the seller allows it), I'd pass. __________________ Sometimes it’s nice not to destroy the world for a change. --Randall Munroe

July 16, 2012, 04:14 PM	#6
Stealth01 Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 240	Or it can be done by a shop that knows firearms, knows how to properly prepare the firearm and returns to you a properly functioning firearm! __________________ Ken

July 16, 2012, 06:35 PM	#7
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	Yes it will effect the value of the gun if you attempt to sell it. Granted, you might find one person willing to pay a pretty penny for it, but overall, you likely won't get your money back out of it. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

July 16, 2012, 11:59 PM	#8
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	When you try to sell a house with a swimming pool, you'll find out that NO ONE really wants a pool...... whether they really do or not. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

July 16, 2012, 02:57 PM	#2
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	I would say yes. For a collector type gun, the answer is absolutely - no doubt about it. For a shooter, I would give a qualified yes for two reasons. One, the custom pattern is going to be something the original owner might have liked but not everyone else may like it. That in itself is bound to have some effect on the price. Then there is the "what lies beneath" question. If I were looking at a gun that had been dipped, the first question I would ask is "what is he trying to hide under that pattern?".

July 16, 2012, 03:33 PM	#3
ScottRiqui Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 2,905	If it's done well, and it's something that the potential buyer really likes, then it may not lower the price much, if at all (assuming that the buyer isn't looking for a collector piece). I would be concerned about the durability of a hydro-dipped finish, though. I've only seen it used on car/motorcycle parts, and I don't know how well it would hold up to sweat, abrasion, heat and cleaning chemicals.

July 16, 2012, 04:06 PM	#4
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	So, you're going to use the information to try for a price reduction, or you're worried that if you buy it, nobody else would be willing to buy it from you?

July 17, 2012, 12:11 AM	#9
ScottRiqui Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 2,905	That's the truth - I'll be retiring in two years and looking for a house back in Texas. I'll take one with a pool if everything else about the house is right, but I certainly won't pay a premium anywhere close to what it cost the previous owner to put it in. As for the Hydro-dipping, is there any kind of coating put over it? Like I said, I'd only seen it on car/bike parts, where they top it off with a polyurethane clear coat. Pretty, to be sure, but not particularly durable.

July 17, 2012, 07:39 AM	#10
Miketodd04 Member Join Date: June 15, 2007 Location: Northwest Indiana Posts: 98	I'm not sure about the coating over the graphics. I've only seen pictures. The only reason I'm concerned is due to the amount of $$ i would spend. I like to buy firearms as an investment. Like I said, It looks awesome, but just makes me nervous. Thanks for all of the input!

July 17, 2012, 08:07 AM	#11
Dashunde Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2004 Posts: 2,018	This Springer, is it regular carbon steel? The more expensive the gun, the worse it gets. At least stainless can be bead blasted to a decent finish. Your worried about it (rightfully so) therefore... YOU should be the one to buy it cheap so that you dont have to worry about taking a bath on it. It doesnt matter if you like it on a personal level, your concern is the same that the next guy will have. And if it scratches easily or causes functionality issues you wont like it for long either. I wouldnt touch it for anything close to regular price. I'd be at 1/2 of normal value.

July 17, 2012, 08:31 AM	#12
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,132	Let me just put it this way - I wouldn't pay anything for a gun with that finish - even if it was a gun I normally would be interested in. I just don't have the time and patience to return it back to it's original condition, nor the room to store guns that I can never grow to love. You can bet it takes people like me completely out of the market for a gun that has been finished in that manner. But, I would bet that the finish wouldn't add anyone new to the market looking for that type of firearm. A net decrease in demand always lowers the resale value.

July 17, 2012, 09:20 AM	#15
ScottRiqui Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 2,905	I'm almost certain that "Xtremeflauge" isn't a water-transfer finish, but rather just a pattern that's applied with an airbrush and then baked for durability.

July 17, 2012, 02:02 PM	#16
Miketodd04 Member Join Date: June 15, 2007 Location: Northwest Indiana Posts: 98	Thanks for all the input guys!

July 17, 2012, 07:12 PM	#17
RsqVet Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2005 Posts: 2,474	Some people here just had to have those carbon fiber pattern guns about 4 or 5 years ago. Now they seem to sit in the used rack cheaper than a gun without it. Frankly I think most gun people like real materials, a fake carbon fiber finsh just seem... Well fake. Love real carbon fiber materials like grips.

July 17, 2012, 10:49 PM	#18
Dashunde Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2004 Posts: 2,018	^I agree. The fake carbon on metal does nothing for me, but the two guns above look kinda cool, nice patterns and colors.

July 18, 2012, 02:13 AM	#19
FiveInADime Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2012 Posts: 607	Don't you guys know that carbon fiber makes things 32% faster? Fake carbon fiber is almost as good. If you want your gun (or car) to be fast and 4 times as durable you should deck it out with carbon fiber or at least a hydro-dipped Patten simulating it. Just like in the 70's when they figured out that fake walnut veneer made home speakers sound 10x better. Don't pass this thing up OP. Sent From My Galaxy S 4g Using Tapatalk