Highlighting engraved numbers on tools

[kelpaso1]

As I grow old it's a lot harder to see the engraved (stamped) numbers on tools. wrenches, sockets, etc. I've watched several vids but not sure of the best way. Most are painting the engraved numbers on the tool and wiping off the excess. There are several "paints" and even powder coating dust I've seen. Just not sure of what works best and stands up to daily wrenching. And we are talking both chrome and black impact sockets, and chrome wrenches.

 

[DHCrocks]

I've used a paint pen before and it holds up well. Just slather it on and wipe the excess off immediately, it cleans up well. Be sure to really clean it well first, I used a q-tip and alcohol.

 

[cheechi]

medicine dropper and nail polish. pick a colour that stands out bold against the tool. dark red & black are sometimes excellent choices, sometimes terrible, if that makes sense.

 

[FSrepair&fabrication]

brand new chrome sockets are hard to read until they get some use. I just take a scraper and scoop a blob of the black grease that forms from a leaky diesel engine and smear it in the stamped markings and wipe off the excess. It will stay in there for a long time making it easy to read, but not permanent so it can be wiped off with some solvent and a rag.

 

[Htscheg]

I have been doing this a for a few years, I just use a paint pen, and steel whool, works well stands up good enough, just have to touch up re regularly used items every now and again, helps me see the great Engraving these companies do lol

 

[PelicanPines]

I keep several bright nail polish colors in my top drawer...

However... I have a set of Gearwrench flex sockets... that were NOT stamped in a visible location while on the rail...

So I bought this... they are GREAT.

 

[Wyoming09]

I also use paint pens. I usually wipe off with acetone after it dries. Happy with the result I get. Here's a sample:

 

[bushmechanic]

Nobody's used crayons? Stuff stays in lettering pretty well, usually.

 

[kelpaso1]

I also use paint pens. I usually wipe off with acetone after it dries. Happy with the result I get. Here's a sample:

That's exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks.

 

[Dogwater]

Paint pens but I let it dry and scrape off the overflow with a razor blade. I also paint the metric wrenches blue, standards wrench’s no paint. Bad eyes also.

 

[Lassen Forge]

+1 on the paint pen, you can also use white-out (did that on my parkerized impact sockets), but now everyone knows that the bright green lettering on my stuff is MY stuff. I buff them with steel wool to make the lettering pop, and it works pretty good!

 

[midorix]

Or you can etch per ChrisFix.

 

[steaks&anvils]

Or you can etch per ChrisFix.

Nice idea and technique, but I'm pretty sure the majority of people on GJ prefer to not permanently deface their tools.

 

[ecotec]

Has anyone tried a cold blueing pen for this?

 

[Skyman]

I've marked my impact sockets with a silver Sharpie, and many of my chrome wrenches with a black Sharpie or Markzall. The black on chrome wouldn't last too long in daily use, but the silver on impact sockets holds up for a reasonably decent time. And they aren't permanent, unlike etching, etc, which some folks find undesirable.

 

[mikey03]

I tried some crayon think it wasn’t a crayon exactly it was made for this person but it looks and feels like a cryon and honestly maybe I’m doing it wrong but it didn’t really fill in well and when I wipe off excess it wipes it out of the groove It’s supposed to be filling.

 

[Jaywalk3r]

The trick used for dice for role playing games when I was a kid was to fill the engravings with crayon, then clean the crayon from around the engraving, which left nice, crisp, easy to read digits.

 

[Grant Gunderson]

Lacquer paint sticks are great for this!

Rub them on like a crayon. The heat from the friction softens them. Then just buff off excess with a rag.

I did these years ago and it still holds up well.

 

[Chipm]

However... I have a set of Gearwrench flex sockets... that were NOT stamped in a visible location while on the rail...

I like the old Matco style where they are stamped and painted near the top of the socket - see the yellow ones second row from the back in this photo from an Amazon review. Part of me wants to get some of those hammer-in number stamps and do that to my deep sockets.

 

[908Jim]

Lacquer paint sticks

Just ordered a stick on Amazon. Thanks!

 

[dscheidt]

Just ordered a stick on Amazon. Thanks!

They work better if the tool you're putting it on is a little warm. heat gun or a sunny summer day are good enough, don't need to be too hot to handle.

 

[Steve_P]

I use paint sticks also; IIRC mine are Markal brand.