Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how-to thread)

[prine]

My Dad gave me this idea, it help to quickly identify numbers on tools. Works great on any tool that number's are stamped into deep enough.

1) you will need tools with stamped numbers.

2) you will need some model paint of any color of your choice. I like neon colors. I bought mine at a local hobby store. (acrylicosvallejo.com)

3) let dry

4) Scratch, wipe, rub off excess paint. (I used my fingernail)

Didn't work so great on some of the sockets I had that the stampings were shallow. Also does not deface your tools like initials on them does, plus you can still identify them if necessary. Or buff the paint out if you want to sell or ever change colors. I loved it so much I did it this weekend to some of my wrenches.

 

[SHELLFISH]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

Good idea. Thanks!

 

[Weps]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

crayons and grease pencils work well, too.

 

[Torque1st]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

I use white appliance touch-up paint and wipe off the excess before the paint dries. Make sure the surface is CLEAN before you apply paint.

 

[Bryan Burns]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

I've always used a magic marker but model paint's a much better idea.

 

[crewchief888]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

sally hansen "hard as nails" fingernail polish works good too.

used to use it a lot when disassembling hyd pumps and motors for marking housing alignment.
it does resist mineral spirits.

 

[Aspen RT]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

Cool idea!

 

[JCQuick]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

sally hansen "hard as nails" fingernail polish works good too.

used to use it a lot when disassembling hyd pumps and motors for marking housing alignment.
it does resist mineral spirits.

Nail polish in your tool box sure its for marking things

 

[JMartel]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

Thanks for the info. I'll have to do that.

 

[Torque1st]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

Nail polish in your tool box sure its for marking things

I have several colors. I like to look good.

 

[crewchief888]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

Nail polish in your tool box sure its for marking things

I have several colors. I like to look good.

actually i didnt believe it until i tried it.
i worked in the rebuild dept at a heavy eq dealership. we'd sometimes have multiple components torn apart for days at a time, waiting on approval or parts.

sometimes working on "oddball" pumps/ motors/ valves i never had to worry about what housing went what direction.
we tried a lot of different things, paint markers, stamping, punching, the nail polish was bright and easy to see, and was the most chemical resistant we could find (cheap).

 

[JC23]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

Works best if you clean the tool with something like mineral spirits or laquer thinner to get rid of all the grease and oil.

 

[jake00]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

thats an awesome idea, my vision *****, off to get some paint...

 

[PAToyota]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

Also helps to use different colors - one for metric, one for standard.

 

[ihredo4]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

Use clear finger nail polish to seal it after the paint has dried. I used to work in aviation and to highlight some of the assembly marks we filled them with paint sticks and then used clear polish to seal them in.

Polish works great also for closing cuts and wounds. Burns like hell but works even better.

 

[GTVi]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

Well I raided the daughter's cosmetic box, the wife only had pink colors...daughters being typical, had a wide variety of colors for me to use, including glow in the dark nail polish !!!!
Needless to say, the nail polish trick worked really well on all of my tools, did it with enough time to return them in place before she found out...lol

 

[nehog]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

One color for SAE and another for Metric... Then you can see the different ones at a quick glance.

 

[Torque1st]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

Odd colors of nail polish also work well for tamper evident seals on screws etc.

 

[brownbagg]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

i always paint my whole tool then wipe off at the label, that way I can see my green snap on wrench in my buddy tool bag

 

[JohnMcD348]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

I never thought about doing that to my tools. I've done it a lot to my firearms to bring out the lettering and numbers.

 

[UncleJoe]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

Ok I read this thread and decided to give it a try.

I used cheap Hard as Nails polish $2. Red for SAE Blue for metric.
I applied it and waited about 5-10 seconds and wiped it off.

Here is the before shot

Here is the during shot

Here is the after

What do you think?

 

[dmeadow]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

Ok I read this thread and decided to give it a try.

I used cheap Hard as Nails polish $2. Red for SAE Blue for metric.
I applied it and waited about 5-10 seconds and wiped it off.

Here is the before shot

What do you think?

Makes me think that if I'm going to do this I'm going to use brighter colors like yellow and white.

 

[jktruck150]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

What happens when you use chemicals like brake cleaner, gasoline get on them, etc? The nail polish looks like a great idea and cheap!!

 

[1Garageman]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

How well does this stuff stay on there? I often wipe my wrenches clean if I get them super dirty. Can these color handle some cleaning wipes?

 

[UncleJoe]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

The difference when you see it in person is noticeable but not too overwhelming. Now when I glance down at the wrench I can read the size a little better but it is not a big glaring difference. The Blue metric ones look more pronounced than the red.

I wonder how white or yellow would stand out against the chrome. The dark blue looks just about right to me.

Here is a shot from a few feet away of a before and after

 

[Torque1st]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

Just remember, DO NOT get any of that on your fingers or nails or we will have to revoke your man card.

Make sure you have plenty of acetone around.

I am sure that you have noticed the direction of wiping the color off is important.

 

[metalbasher]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

crayons and grease pencils work well, too.

I use them on my old surplus firearms to bring out the stamp markings. Works well..

 

[Plombob]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

I have several colors. I like to look good.

You weren't at AAA yesterday by any chance? Saw a guy with blue cowboy boots and matching nail polish.

 

[Plombob]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

My Dad gave me this idea, it help to quickly identify numbers on tools.

Tell your dad thanks! It gets harder to read those markings as time goes by. I'll have have the wife get some polish for me. I couldn't be seen in the nail section.....

 

[JohnJL]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

I've been wrapping my most commonly used sockets and wrenches in colored electrical tape for years. I can tell from across the room what socket or wrench is where. Yellow is always 11mm, red is always 13mm, yellow/green striped is 14mm...

 

[racker58]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

Anyone know if Office 2003 Acess will work with the database provided?

 

[1Garageman]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

Anyone know if Office 2003 Acess will work with the database provided?

I use to do programing and stuff in access databases. You can import database data into it, depending upon what type of data format it is in, or do a update link to a spread sheet or info like that. You can import all kinds of data into them, just like you can a spread sheet basically.

 

[MyKingdom]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

I like the idea. Now I have to wait till my daughter falls

 

[prine]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

Glad some people found this helpful. Just notice how many other great idea's have been added to this thread. It's very much appreciated.

 

[Quint]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

I am sure that you have noticed the direction of wiping the color off is important.

I did notice that!

 

[gbrett]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

nail polish also works good to check the engagement on a starter drive regular gear marking compunds will rub off too easily

 

[e-tek]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

If you can't tell the size of a wrench by glancing at the open end, then maybe wrenching's not for you......


or maybe, like me, you like to grab what you think is the right size, walk back to the job, find it's not, go back to the box and get the next size, find out again it's not it, go back and this time, grab 3 or 4 wrenches to be sure....only to find out it's FRIKKEN metric and start all over again!

 

[ZRX61]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

Wait, you guys have to read the size on the wrench? you can't tell what it is just by looking?

BTW, they sell "paint sticks' that are used to fill in the engraving on placards etc.. it would be ideal for this. They're like crayons.

 

[prine]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

......BTW, they sell "paint sticks' that are used to fill in the engraving on placards etc.. it would be ideal for this. They're like crayons.

How easy would it be for them to wipe off?

 

[ranger302]

Re: Making Numbers on Tools stand out! (a how too thread)

I've been wrapping my most commonly used sockets and wrenches in colored electrical tape for years. I can tell from across the room what socket or wrench is where. Yellow is always 11mm, red is always 13mm, yellow/green striped is 14mm...

I do this but use the resistor code. Works on my extension cords too.