best paint stick

[mslim]

I've tried a bunch of paint sticks for writing on fabric, vinyl, and marking tightened bolts and nuts. None of them seem to last very long and usually clog or thicken up and not apply the paint uniformly. Yeah I don't use them daily maybe a every couple of months or so, but I hate it when I grab one and it's fubared.

 

[Farmall450]

I saw someone post the Slime brand tire ones are the best. I've been meaning to pick one up and verify that.

 

[PCustoms]

I thought this was going to be about stir sticks...

 

[Steve_P]

I have Markal paint sticks/crayons. I keep them in a ziplock, but they're 10+ years old and still are fine.

But, are you talking about paint markers?

 

[mslim]

I have Markal paint sticks/crayons. I keep them in a ziplock, but they're 10+ years old and still are fine.

But, are you talking about paint markers?

Yes more of a marker than a crayon. One that flows actual oil paint through a felt tip or roller ball or something to apply it. Like with a ball bearing inside to agitate the paint before application.

 

[RTM]

I call them paint pens, several of mine have lasted many years. Markal is currently kicking around here.

 

[KnurledNut]

I'm sure there is something better, but I like the Uni-Paint paint markers.

 

[mslim]

Yes I have used the Sanford Uni-Paint markers but they seem to dry out even when capped. Is there a better choice/

 

[Dave455]

Pica Visor - best by a huge margin.

I don’t know if they are technically paint, but I use them for everything I used to use paint markers for, and they are a vast improvement.

Easier to mark with, give a better mark, don’t seem to dry up, and are refillable.


For marking bolts, depending on the size, I might opt for one of these “ink” markers, but some of them, particularly the “big ink” behave more like a paint.

 

[MovingAlong]

Used many Testors Paint Pens on the job.. was always satisfied with them.

 

[mrb1]

Previously mentioned Markal was what my old shop stocked. We went thru hundreds of them. Worked fine. When Fastenal got the tool crib gig, their Rock River brand replaced them. So all three of these are 5+ years old and still work fine. Stored in an unheated, uncooled garage. Put them away with the tips down. And every couple uses, take the felt tip out with some needlenose and flip it end for end.....with the tip up

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[KnurledNut]

Yes I have used the Sanford Uni-Paint markers but they seem to dry out even when capped. Is there a better choice/

I am beginning to think the common denominator here is user error. There is no way multiple brands have been tried and they are all bad.

These are not capillary action markers like a Sharpie that keep the nib constantly supplied with ink.
They are valve controlled which means they need to be shaken to mix the paint and then the dried nib is depressed until the paint flows and reabsorbs. This can take a little bit of priming. It's not going to write instantly. Think of the nib as more of a paint brush.

These pens will last for years if not decades and still work until the paint is depleted. I store mine on the side and degas them when exposed to extreme temperature swings before using by depressing the valve with the pen tip up.

 

[cgrutt]

I bought a few in a local art supply they work pretty good for marking engine parts and making reference marks before taking things apart (for example engine timing etc). Believe they were these. Had them a few years and still work.

 

[Kscardsfan]

I thought this was going to be about stir sticks...

Same here. I was really curious what kind of technological improvements could have possibly been to this design.

 

[Beerhippie]

I use Wite-out pens:



They work well and the "paint" is pretty heat-proof. I use them for marking cuts for the plasma cutter and they don't burn away in front of the cut like most markers. The paint is very durable and fast drying. Great for highlighting faint embossing on tools, too.

Now if I can remember where I put the rest of the four pack I bought a while back....

 

[Steve_P]

I have Markal, Uni Pen, and Dykem paint markers- whatever McMaster sends me. I don't see any difference as they all last me several years until they dry up; they have push on plastic caps and I doubt there's much magic here. I'm keeping them in a mostly climate-controlled space, typically 50-75F, so maybe that's helping me. This quest is like trying to find a noticeably superior 5mil nitrile glove brand- there's not much there to optimize given the 5 mil and nitrile; in this case we have paint in an aluminum cylinder and a plastic cap.

 

[bwringer]

I keep some cheap nail polish on hand and use that quite a bit when I need a fast-drying and extremely tough paint mark. For example, I've used it many times for alignment on timing chains in motorcycle engines, and found the marks intact thousands of miles later at the next valve check.

I don't use paint pens daily, so mine also tend to dry out long before they're used up. Just the nature of the beast.