A safe pen for marking plastic?

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Techniques
1

Hey guys and girls, getting ready to dig in and do a bit of scratchbuilding/kitbashing, and was wondering what would be a good pen to use on marking on the plastic for points I need to cut, add, etc. Something that of course could be perhaps washed off, or won’t show through when painted!! Thanks a bunch…BTW, I know some people will suggest using pencils, and while I do appreciate the suggestion…I despise pencils…it’s just one of those things…but I appreciate your suggestions.[:D]

2

Why not Washable Water-Soluble Crayola Markers. The Non-Toxic child proof
kind. Cheap too!! Never tried it though. Just came to mind. Good Luck.
[:)][:D][8D]

3

I usually use Sharpies for marking on plastic, but it’s usually in places where I don’t have to worry about it being seen. Alcohol seems to take it off pretty well when necessary.

Plastic is one of those areas where anything that comes off easily won’t mark well and anything that marks well won’t come off easily.

4

I agree with MusicCity, a fine point Sharpie works the best for me.

5

Thanks for the tips guys (and girl!!! I mean woman, of course!![:P][;)]) I went to town on that bad boy with a red ultra fine tip sharpie this afternoon!!! It really makes it easier to view what stock I need to remove or keep. Thanks again!!

6

Absolutely our pleasure[8D]

Just be sure to remove it before painting. The paint solvents will dissolve the ink and it will mix with the paint creating a most undesireable color. Alcohol should take it right offf.

7

Thanks Scott, will do!!! I have a big bag of those alcohol rubbing pads that I use to prep the bodies and such before paint. They work like a charm, and you can pick 'em up pretty cheap at K-mart, WalMart, or Target.

8

Good idea. Probably cheaper than the glasses cleaners I get for my glasses and most likely the same thing [:)]

For alky I use a pump spray bottle that some anti-itch spray or something came in. Shoot a little on, wipe it off. For itty bitty parts I just pour a little in a paint bottle and dunk them!

Have fun! We want to see pix of the scratchbuild when it gets going.

9

You bet!!! I’ll get the pics in the forum ASAP!!! Thanks again for all of the help!!!

10

I find an HB mechanical pencil works for me

11

Don’t let the sharpie marks stay on the item too long. Seems the longer they are in place, the more permanent they become.

12

Thanks for the heads-up Quincy…right now I am just using the pen to mark the stuff to be “removed”…but I’ll definately keep that in mind once I start full Blown!!!