GFX Decorative Finishes
Capabilities & Processes

Ground Effects Decorative Finishes department can provide a unique and stylish designed finish to just about any rigid, non-pores product a customer manufacturers.

Utilizing the water immersion technologies and processes of Immersion Graphics Corporation of Columbus, Georgia (USA), Ground Effects can dip literally thousands and thousands of different parts for numerous applications. All of this work is conducted at the company's dedicated 30,000 sq. ft. immersion graphic and paint plant. Parts are robotically dipped in the design pattern desired by the customer, washed of all excess residue, and then clear-coated prior to final packaging.

Ground Effects employs a 7-stage process when altering the look of it customer's parts through water immersion. First, a pattern is chosen by the customer from a liabrary of more than 400 patterns that Ground Effects has licensed through Immersion Graphics Corporation. These patterns span the entire colour range and include wood-grain, fine leather, brushed aluminum and chrome, and camoufloge designs. If a customer cannot find a pattern that fits their needs, Ground Effects and Immersion Graphics can customize a design for that specific need.

When the pattern is chosen, it is digitized and printed as an exact replica on film, and then loaded in a device that floats the pattern on the water surface of a specially-designed immersion tank. The film is adjusted at certain points to ensure that it remains afloat in its fixed position. Next, the film is sprayed with a special chemical activator which dissolves into a gelatinous state. Even then though, the film continues to float and remains intact in this newly liquefied state.

The product to be dipped will have already been base-coated to neutralize its surface and allow for better adhesion. At this point, the product is fully immersed - via robotics - into the liquid pattern and then quickly withdrawn from the tank. The part immediately takes on the colour and design elements of the original pattern - right down to the last "nook and cranny!" Immersed parts are then rinsed free of any excess film residue and dried. Finally, a clear coat is applied to the part according to its intended end use, so as to provide further durability and UV protection.