krylon Fusion on Apex RK3 hds?

[HM_legon]

Hello SB,

I'm new to this site, however I have done my due diligence on the topic of spray painting or just in general painting fins.
I've seen mixed reports regarding the effectiveness of krylon fusion paint specifically on a rubber fin.

The reason I want to paint my RK3's is because
1. I'm a sucker for appearance.
2. I loved The life Aquatic, and I want red fins.
3. I wanted the benefits of a modern jet fin with the style of the old scubapro jet.

I know there are red scubapro jet fins, but like I said, I'm not willing to take that trade off for style. I know some people will swear by them, but they are just too heavy in an out of the water for me.

What I want to know primarily is how well does the krylon fusion paint compare to the "plasti-dip" spray, and do either of them hold up well enough for alot of pool and salt water diving.
I'm hesitant to lean toward the plasti-dip because I don't want the sharp corners and what not to be shallower by the rubber spray.

If this will "ruin my fins" I'd like to know, that being said, I don't care about resale value or anything like that.

thanks,
Legon

 

[lexvil]

You pays your monies and you takes your chances! Buy them, paint them and let us know.

 

[-JD-]

OMS Slipstreams are available in red. OMS - Slipstream Monoprene Fins - Limited Edition Colors

My Larges were (for the pair) 4.6lbs dry and -0.4lbs (negative) in FW.
XLs are 5.0lbs dry (I don't have buoyancy figures but guessing -0.5ish)

 

[iointerrupt]

Start by painting just the tips. If it survives, paint the rest of them. All my attempts at fin painting have failed, flakes off eventually.

 

[HM_legon]

I'll try just the tips, seems like a good enough idea. Thanks for the heads up on the slip streams, when I save my pennies I'll probably pick up a pair!

 

[Endler's]

See red also: Poseidon Trident Fins w/Spring Straps

DGX lists Fin Foot Pocket Dimensions @ bottom of page.

 

[Badger7]

See red also: Poseidon Trident Fins w/Spring Straps
View attachment 840574
DGX lists Fin Foot Pocket Dimensions @ bottom of page.

Whomever is actually making those fins is also doing them with HOG logos and different straps, at half the price. They were available from DRIS, but doesn't look like red is in stock right now.

I wouldn't try painting an entire fin regardless. Its going to rub off on the boat and ladder and dock, etc. Even if the paint bonds well to the fin material, its eventually going to flake due to flexing. If I was going to try painting a design on fins, I might try a product unofficially called "vinyl dye" which is something used by auto restorers to fix faded vinyl interior auto surfaces, and is designed to flex, comes in spray can too. I still wouldn't try to color the whole fin though, maybe just mask off a cool red design on a part of the fin that sees the least flex.

 

[HM_legon]

Whomever is actually making those fins is also doing them with HOG logos and different straps, at half the price. They were available from DRIS, but doesn't look like red is in stock right now.
View attachment 840576

I wouldn't try painting an entire fin regardless. Its going to rub off on the boat and ladder and dock, etc. Even if the paint bonds well to the fin material, its eventually going to flake due to flexing. If I was going to try painting a design on fins, I might try a product unofficially called "vinyl dye" which is something used by auto restorers to fix faded vinyl interior auto surfaces, and is designed to flex, comes in spray can too. I still wouldn't try to color the whole fin though, maybe just mask off a cool red design on a part of the fin that sees the least flex.

Yeah, I realized the futility of my efforts pretty early on. However I am not anything if not stubborn. I taped off a section on the front and painted both sides, made some rookie mistakes on the second time around, so I've got some running but I can take care of that later. At the very least it will look kind of neat for a few dives. Because of my involvement in my universities scuba organization there is a high likely hood any and all flakes will be contained safely in a pool 2 times older than me.

 

[high_order1]

I was going to ask what the base color is.
I kind of have some experience in this realm; I have altered a lot of tactical gear over the years. I buy or get gifted stuff that people don't like the color or pattern, and I... change them. I have altered a few pounds of various polymers over the years to varying effect.

Look at RIT, they have a dye especially for polymers. Believe it is called DyeMore. I have done car parts and buckles and non-uh... organic (like polyester and not denim) fabrics.

It is very hard for me to match a shade, and to get it to stop where I want. But it rarely if ever rubs off.

The next stuff I have used is krylon fusion. The hardest polymer you can change is childrens' outside toys, the material is self-lubricating, so it sheds coatings pretty easily. With great care prepping it, Fusion sticks pretty good. But I didn't test it by dunking it in a basic water pool, or an acidic salt water pool. (Or the ocean).

lastly, I wonder if a solvent-based ink might penetrate far enough to stick? I know there are some markers that will make me loopy, but they stain polymers pretty well.

(Also - I really liked that movie. I went into it thinking it would be stupid, but I really really got into it. Know what... I may put a Zissou patch on my drysuit when I get one!

 

[HM_legon]

I was going to ask what the base color is.
I kind of have some experience in this realm; I have altered a lot of tactical gear over the years. I buy or get gifted stuff that people don't like the color or pattern, and I... change them. I have altered a few pounds of various polymers over the years to varying effect.

Look at RIT, they have a dye especially for polymers. Believe it is called DyeMore. I have done car parts and buckles and non-uh... organic (like polyester and not denim) fabrics.

It is very hard for me to match a shade, and to get it to stop where I want. But it rarely if ever rubs off.

The next stuff I have used is krylon fusion. The hardest polymer you can change is childrens' outside toys, the material is self-lubricating, so it sheds coatings pretty easily. With great care prepping it, Fusion sticks pretty good. But I didn't test it by dunking it in a basic water pool, or an acidic salt water pool. (Or the ocean).

lastly, I wonder if a solvent-based ink might penetrate far enough to stick? I know there are some markers that will make me loopy, but they stain polymers pretty well.

(Also - I really liked that movie. I went into it thinking it would be stupid, but I really really got into it. Know what... I may put a Zissou patch on my drysuit when I get one!

Base color orange. I used the krylon fusion on them a little bit ago, and it held up well in the pool. But because they are the HDs I left them at home and took my rocket 2 fins to cozumel for the last week so I haven't been using them. My rockets are in rough shape so I might give parts of them some patterns or color flare. From what I can tell it holds on well.

Glad to see some the life aquatic love on here. I know a few people on old SB posts were bashing it pretty hard.