Dykem Applicator Try an empty Sharpie.

[jjr2001]

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