[PetahW]

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I've had two different rifles hydrographically film-dipped, by two different applicators/companies - and can tell you that the finish, if properly applied, is a lot more durable than any home-made camo paint job could ever hope to be, besides looking neater, and more factory-like.

I've found the covering to be very durable, and visually attractive - when applied to plain guns, it can add to their value beyond the cost of dipping.

I had one gun done in camo & the other in a fancy woodgrain.

The key is in WHO does the application, since I've found that all applicators are not equally adept in the process; and others yet, while decent applicators, are poor businessmen.

One of my gunstocks was done by Bell & Carlson in REALTREE, when they were still marketing their Special Effects Process.
The stock was done perfectly & returned to me in 3 weeks - whereupon I shot/hunted with it for 3 years w/o issue before selling the rifle for other interests.

Another was done by a small "company" in MI, which I found online (since B&C no longer offered dipping).
While the stock turned out OK, it took over 4 mos before I got my stock back, and only then after myriad phone calls, emails & other "chasing" the applicator - who only kept giving excuse after excuse, ad nauseum, for the delay(s).
It turned out that the applicator was running a few small business' at the same time, splitting his time between them, and getting down to business only when he found time - not good for the customer IMHO.

I would suggest to choose an applicator more by the size/popularity of their business than a purported low price - BT, DT (NTS).




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