Ink or Paint for marking on car (nuts, bolts, body, etc.)

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Thu Mar 10, 2005 1:14 pm

Ok, nearly every manual mentions situations in which you need to "mark" a part before you remove it so you can get the proper alignment, etc. when you put it back or replace it.

My question is what do you use to mark the part? I can see that on light colored items, that maybe a dark permanent marker like a Sharpie would work, but what if the item your are marking is dark to being with? Is there some type of standard "Mechanics Pen" that has a bright (i.e. white or some other visable color) paint that is easy to use? What does the factory use when they mark things like nuts and bolts after they have been installed and torqued? Google has so far not been my friend in this search.

My immediate need is that I am looking to do a DIY alignment at home and I am wanting to determine and mark the centerline on the bottom of my car. I am about to go buy some white enamel "hobby" paint, but I am looking for something easier to deal with (maybe in some type of pen style applicator?)

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Thu Mar 10, 2005 1:17 pm

I use a "White-Out" pen Richard. Works great on dark surfaces!

Diane Hall · **Posted:** Thu Mar 10, 2005 1:35 pm

White out is a good solution. I've also used a spray paint can... putting a little paint on a paper towel and applying it to the part in question. Most recently axles and driveshaft during the diff removal.

Diane

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

A sharpie silver metallic paint pen would work and be a thin line necessary for realignment (like I'm planning on doing for the Miata alignment bolts in case the alignment shop doesn't tighten them down appropriately ...)

Doug Jackson · **Posted:** Fri Mar 11, 2005 3:30 pm

You could also try artists' pencils, also known as "grease pencils" and "china markers." When I was working in injection molding we would use these to mark defects. They are available in different colors though we usually used white. You should be able to find them at Office Depot/Max/Staples.

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Fri Mar 11, 2005 3:57 pm

I picked up both a "White Out Pen" and a "Silver Metallic Sharpie" at lunch today. I am going to give both a try and see what works best/lasts longest. The Sharpie marketing info on the package is geared toward this type of thing (i.e. Dark and varied surfaces). There was also another Sharpie (looked to have a wider tip) that was supposed to work on Rubber, Glass, etc.

I will report back later on what worked best for me.

Chuck Frank · **Posted:** Fri Mar 25, 2005 5:13 pm

You can get enamel paint "pens" Like a felt tip but with paint instead of ink. The arts and crafts stores sell a lot of different colors individually or you can pick up a set of 3 colors (black white red) at Wally-world by the model car paints. We use them to mark our wheels to keep up with which tires were run where how many times, and also mark the underside of the rocker panel so we get our jack in the same place each time ala NASCAR.
The paint is pretty long wearing if you put it on a clean surface but can be removed with paint thinner.

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Sat Mar 26, 2005 8:19 pm

Chuck Frank wrote:

You can get enamel paint "pens" Like a felt tip but with paint instead of ink. The arts and crafts stores sell a lot of different colors individually or you can pick up a set of 3 colors (black white red) at Wally-world by the model car paints. We use them to mark our wheels to keep up with which tires were run where how many times, and also mark the underside of the rocker panel so we get our jack in the same place each time ala NASCAR.
The paint is pretty long wearing if you put it on a clean surface but can be removed with paint thinner.

Chuck's right. I removed the engine from my car today and marked a lot fo the nuts/bolts and other items with the paint pens. I got mine a OfficeMax. They're made by Sharpie, and they come in a pack of red/blue/white. Very, very handy when you're doing a large project. - AB

AndersGreen · **Posted:** Thu Mar 31, 2005 9:27 am

Ok, so what we're looking for here is some sort of bright paint that is pretty strong and sticky, and easy to apply with a small brush.

You guys obviously aren't doing this in the garage with your girlfriend/wife looking over your shoulder. If that was the case, the obvious, cheap, durable, readily available, millions-of-colors,convienent choice would be readily apparent.

*grin*

Generally, any woman you know will have a few bottles of a color that they hate, because they are too bright and garish. They will happily part with them.

Anders

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Ink or Paint for marking on car (nuts, bolts, body, etc.)

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