Firearms Markings Question

[albayo]

What is the best substance used on firearms to highlight crests or proof marks?

I don't want to use something that might rust or deface a gun, so what do you use?

Is it a good idea or just leave the firearms alone?

 

[fisherking]

wite-out,crayon,finger nail polish,model paint

 

[mikerock]

wite-out,crayon,finger nail polish,model paint

Aside from the crayon these are all bad ideas


i use a white china marker myself

 

[chopper 1]

Brownells is your friend

The catalog used to and may still list a gold powder and varnish wipe on wipe off system.
I used it on several guns - worked like a charm and is still there after many years.
If you want gold that is.
There is also a white waxy substance spec manufactured for guns,forget what its called -

 

[Deltasilver]

Your local welder's supply sells a white (heat resistant to a point) crayon (not welder's chalk) used to mark steel for cuts for about $4.00. Plastic bristle brush and a little elbow grease to get it out if you don't like the results.

There is also white water based paint for Lexan plastic R/C car bodies that I have used to good effect, also about $4.00. Flake resistant and cleans up easy if you mess it up. It's supposed to be used with an airbrush but works fine with a brush.

 

[Coyote Ugly]

What is the best substance used on firearms to highlight crests or proof marks?

I don't want to use something that might rust or deface a gun, so what do you use?

Is it a good idea or just leave the firearms alone?

Better to leave the firearm alone. Just a fad from the 80's and 90's.

 

[smellie]

Sometimes, though, it is nigh necessary.

Absolute ##### sometimes, working in poor light, photographing black stampings on a black barrel on an old black rifle.... or taking pictures of a dark-brown stamp in dark-brown wood and trying to see if it says "CEF 16" or if it's really "CEF 18" and that's actually the grain of the wood f^^%$$*ing you around...

Have a little pity for the poor photographer!

Sometimes it's the only way you can get the detailing of proofmarks, unit stamps and so forth.

 

[Drachenblut]

I use a tire marker crayon, a little WD40 and some elbowgrease and it's gone.

 

[ArtyMan]

White grease pencil, comes right out with a little gun oil, but stays in if you want it too.

 

[albayo]

Thanks for taking the time to help me with this question.
I will look into getting one of them to help with photos. I like the idea of the grease pencil. I will have to experiment with some of the other ideas on some of my clunkers.

 

[gaff]

your kids crayola crayon , rub it on thick, then take off the excess with a rag. works well and its only wax.