How permanent will paint pen be on a synthetic stock?

[wtr100]

Looking to put the last four digits of the serial number on summer camp rifles to make chores like inventory and recording trigger pulls easier.

We tried paint pen on the metal and it came off pretty quickly. The stocks are synthetic would it be more permanent there?

We used to spray paint / stencil butt numbers on M14 stocks back in the day and that seemed to more or less hold up

 

[savetheclaypigeons]

I bet that or a gold sharpie would last throughout the summer

 

[dmurdach]

Clear coat

I think I might spray a little clear coat of some kind over the top of the pen marks just to be sure it stayed on.

 

[wtr100]

I think I might spray a little clear coat of some kind over the top of the pen marks just to be sure it stayed on.

that's why I come here for advice - should have thought of that

 

[DeepSouth]

I use paint pens to identify personal radios at work, the paint stays on for years. I use white or gold, I carry mine in my pocket and it still doesn't wear off.

 

[Sunray]

Use model paint. A 'camp rifle' is going to get roughly handled so pretty much anything will wear off. Don't think I'd bother with recording the trigger pull either.

 

[JFtheGR8]

A paint pen will work if you put it in a place that's not going to get rubbed on too much. I use them to mark my deer stands and it lasts many seasons. Comes off pretty easily with paint thinner or mineral spirits.

 

[Slamfire]

I use paint pens on metal all the time. I mark the rear sights, in large print letters, so I will know which direction the knob has to move. Darn rear sights, some are left hand thread, "match sights", and others right hand thread "service rifle sights", I am certain if there was a third thread direction, someone would have made an iron sight using it. :banghead:

The basic trick is to clean the surface well. Acetone removes surface oil. So does Prep Sol, a very expensive solvent used by auto paint shops.



One of the most remarkable and durable coatings is fingernail polish. I have used lots of little jars of that. The brush in the jar is broad, so your letters are wide, but that stuff adheres well and is durable. But surface prep is the key to it adhering also.

 

[wtr100]

Use model paint. A 'camp rifle' is going to get roughly handled so pretty much anything will wear off. Don't think I'd bother with recording the trigger pull either.

Like the little square bottles we used to paint pinewood derby cars back in the day ...

BSA Requirement - rifles need to lift 3.5 lb weight and it needs to be logged every week ...

Fortunately I don't have to do it!