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Cubic Printing The Easy Way

Mod Description
Mod Details
PremiumNo Difficulty Mod ID338 CreditEvilution Cost££20+ For450 Fortwo Linkhttps://www.evilution.co.uk/mod/cubic-printing-the-easy-way.htm Copy to Clipboard

I’m sure most of you have seen cubic printing or hydrographics to give it its proper name but I would imagine that a lot of people didn’t know the correct term. In most cases they are usually known by the smart monikers, numeric blue, aqua vanilla, aqua orange, aqua green and scratch black.

How Does It Work Then?

The image is printed onto a thin sheet of PVA which is then placed on the top of a large tank of water, the PVA is broken down by the water so only the ink is left floating on the surface. The panels are pushed slowly through the ink so the image is transferred, each panel is then lacquered to protect the ink finish.

This process has now become available to the aftermarket modifiers.
Aquagraphix.co.uk

How Can I Recreate It?

With all the cubic colours (except numeric blue), a fairly decent approximation can be had just by using spray paints and a lot of time and patience.

And If I Have Numeric Blue Or No Talent?

Cheat!

You already have a good colour sample on your car so let’s use it. Ask a vinyl printing/sign writers shop if they can print a photo of a door panel onto some vinyl. The good ones will be able to do it no problems, explain what you are trying to achieve so they understand.

With smaller parts like pod rings it will look better if the picture is reduced so you can see the detail.

Once the picture is printed you can either get them to apply it or have a stab at it yourself. Smaller parts will be easier to do and applying heat from a hairdryer will help you mould around curves. Here you can see a bodykit done in this way by 2Minits.

Or you can wrap the entire like this one photographed by David R at the Beaulieu 2021 smart meet.

Great Idea, Any Others?

Of course, ask about printing on a product called Gerbervision, it’s a perforated vinyl that they often use to advertise on telephone boxes. Because it’s perforated you can have the cubic colour printed to show on the outside of the car but still be able to see out of it from inside.

Very much like having tinted windows but with a great look.

This could be printed and attached to the back window and the side plastic windows. It’s by no means cheap and because it’s an exterior vinyl it will only last for about 3 years.