I would go so far to say the pattern is permanent as far as wear. I haven't found anything softer than 100grit that'll mark it when dipped right. It doesn't add anymore thickness to the gun than the layer of primer and base coat. The film has no thickness, the pattern bonds to the base coat, then you put a light clear coat over it.
When I gave back after dipping it I leaned it against a tree in his front yard and had him find it. He walked past it and never saw it till he could look as it from the side and see it actually leaning against the tree.
This is in front of my house.
