writing on blank

[beckster]

After much a#rsing around,money spent and bad language used i have finally found the best pen to write on a blank with,it's a PENTEL hybrid 1.0mm ball metallic gel ink pen.
Hopefully this saves someone a bit of time and money on experimentation.

[j]

Uni-ball Signo's a goodun as well

J

[Silver Stoat]

I've found that the Pentel Hybrid Gel and Rotring Star Gels pens work pretty good - see :

flyforums.proboards53.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=rodbuilding&thread=1135183247&page=1

I think the secret to getting good results is to always ensure that the area of the blank on which you are writing is well de-greased or even lightly scuffed.

Dave.

[beckster]

Have to agree with you dave on the scuffing.

[j]

I'll have to try that scuffing idea, I assume once its coated you cant notice it.

I just discovered I have both the Uni-ball and the Pentel here so I compared them. I was quite suprised by the difference, the Uni-ball is more reflective than the Pentel, making it look almost grey-ish. Not that Im sad or anything ( ) but I tried to photograph the difference. Take into account that it's a rubbish photo, you can just about see what I'm on about:



J

[RodKneeTrouter]

One tip I learned whilst writing and then wiping off my blank and starting again probably 50 times:

Try not to touch the blank with the pen, or try to touch it as lightly as possible. The writing comes out much smoother if you try to hover just above the blank so that the viscosity of the gel ink pulls it from the pen onto the blank. Plus, you avoid the problem of the pen 'jumping' when you go over carbon wraps. Also, you avoid scratching the blank, which, if you redo your writing as many times as I did, can be a problem.

Also, for finishing over the written on section - here's another tip: Your brush can smear the paint no matter how delicately you apply finish. this is true even if you spray it once with laquer first. This is incredibly frustrating! dont risk it.
Try this - warm the flex coat (setting syringes on top of the radiator for a few minutes works a treat). once its warm and runny, mix well and then make a light 'line' of flex coat over the top of the writing - but not on it. Then use a small straw to blow the finish (gently) over the written part. ( you can actually make a very nice light coat over the whole section this way). Make sure not to let spittle fall onto the blank. You can use a foam sponge to soak up any excess on this section. You just want to coat the blank enough that its 'shiny.' Avoid paper towels because they tend to leave fuzzies no matter how lightly you dab at it. do NOT dab over the written section or you defeat the whole purpose.

Once this first lite coat is dry you can apply another heavier one - the under coat makes it easier to get a smooth finish on the final one - because the tiny bumps from carbon wraps are filled in.


Mike