Testing some tags

**Huaco** · 02-03-2012, 01:03 AM

I found a bunch of old ID tags... flipped them over and used a stamp die to print the words. I tried to color the depressions with dry-erase marker and it did not come off. I tried another area with "sharpie and then wiped some hand sanitizer on it and the sharpie came right off... go figure!

**BargainFittings** · 02-03-2012, 02:07 AM

Alcohol will remove sharpie. Hand sanitizer is made with alcohol and gel so it will evaporate.
Looks good!

Old school fonts when they are stamped like that.

**Huaco** · 02-03-2012, 01:41 PM

Yeah, I thought I had some iso alcohol here but did not. I was just surprised the dry erase did not come off. Good thing these were just test tags.
I plan to label a control panel with these. For small things like pump switches I plan to put "Pump 1" "Pump 2" on the same tag. I will fasten them to the control panel with aluminum rivets. I have some heavy duty stainless rivets but that would be OVERKILL!

joeybeer · 02-03-2012, 01:44 PM

Looks great !

**A4J** · 02-03-2012, 04:28 PM

mthompson · 02-03-2012, 04:28 PM

If you are trying to keep the letters colored and not the face, I have two ideas:

use a lab marker,
use some enamel paint and a squeegee, or
oxidize the metal (depending on type) with heat or some other oxidizer.

Once dry, you could then hit the face with a high-grit sand paper on a hard sanding block. This should remove the face and leave the letters.

**Huaco** · 02-03-2012, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mthompson

If you are trying to keep the letters colored and not the face, I have two ideas:

use a lab marker,
use some enamel paint and a squeegee, or
oxidize the metal (depending on type) with heat or some other oxidizer.

Once dry, you could then hit the face with a high-grit sand paper on a hard sanding block. This should remove the face and leave the letters.

Thanks for the reply.
I used to do something similar with wheels on model cars when I was a kid. I will probably end up getting a Testors black enamel and fill the letters and wipe them down with paint thinner to clean the aluminum off that way. I like the way the black letters stand out on the aluminum plate.

mthompson · 02-03-2012, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huaco

Thanks for the reply.
I used to do something similar with wheels on model cars when I was a kid. I will probably end up getting a Testors black enamel and fill the letters and wipe them down with paint thinner to clean the aluminum off that way. I like the way the black letters stand out on the aluminum plate.

Enamel paint should work well, and it comes in many colors. You could also use a fine tip syringe to apply the paint in smaller amounts, and really "push" it into the stamp. Then a quick squeegee and most will be off the face.

I like how red contrasts on aluminum, black would be my second choice.

**Huaco** · 02-03-2012, 05:37 PM

That is NICE! What do you typically use for a squeegee?

**Texan** · 02-03-2012, 05:52 PM

When I worked in an engraving shop as a younger man we used an acid base solution to oxidize brass, and I think aluminum, to create discoloration in the lettering.

Can't recall the name of the stuff we used or the concentration.