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Dykem Applicator Try an empty Sharpie.
The brush in the Dykem can is a bit stiff for my liking and leaves a heavy layer of dye on the parts.
Sharpies are quick and easy to use but they are not as durable as Dykem.
I found that the top of my large Sharpie was threaded so a very easy to use applicator was at hand.
Use care when filling the Sharpie with Dykem. You can over fill it. If you do, just pour the excess back in the Dykem can. It also occurs to me that the ink for ink jet printers could be used to re-fill a screw on top sharpie. Black and Magenta should work well. I think that ink jet ink is more of a permanent ink since it is so hard to remove it from your hands if you happen to get some on yourself. Not sure if alcohol would remove it.
I find the new Dykem Sharpie unit to work well. It leaves a light and even coat of dye on the parts.
Removal using alcohol is quick and complete.
Don't try this in the kitchen......I suggest doing the re-fill over some news paper in the shop and wear a pair of latex gloves. Keeps the stain off your hands.
My sharpie was not totally empty so I have a mix of red and blue but it still seems to work well. I think the dilution of the Dykem with the red sharpie ink is not quite as durable as pure Dykem. So it might be worth cleaning out or purge all of the old red prior to refilling with Dykem to get a tougher film. I don't think I will do that but some might want to. I find that both Dykem and Sharpie ink is very soluble in alcohol. I use the high concentrate stuff from the hardware store.
Happy layout and
Cheers, JR
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Dykem Brush In The Can Fix
Thanks to all for all the great comments in this thread.
Ok, I think this will be a great Dykem brush in the can solution. The Dykem brush is just a plastic tube with some very coarse bristles pushed in the end and the other end just pushed into a short shoulder built into the cap. Why not just put a good quality brush in the can. We discussed this in an earlier post. I also had trouble with that lid seal. It would always stick to the can and then I would have to grab it and put it back in the lid. Blue Finger Again!..
Pictures show the story. Remove that plastic tube with bristles. Put some CA on the gasket and then glue it to the cap. Get a good camel hair fine bristle brush. Cut to length, I like mine short so the metal brush holder does not fill up with Dykem. I can always tilt the can. Turn down the end of the brush so it fits the lid and put it in with some CA. Very nice fine layer of Dykem. So now we have the best of both. A refillable felt tipper and a good brush in the can.....
Cheers, JR