What do you do to the inscription area before applying pen and ink? CP or epoxy or just clean with alcohol? Using Higgens water proof drawing ink.

Greg, I take a small piece of nylon scrub pad and lightly dull the blank finish, clean and apply inscription. Allow to ink to dry over night and apply CP and epoxy.
Hope that helps

Fire Warrior Custom Rods

One suggestion, - clean, then scuff, then apply inscription. If you feel the need to dust off any scuffing dust, use a soft brush. Never make the last step in your surface prep a solvent wipe.

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Greg,
For all of the inscriptions on my rods, I use Testors model paint. After lots of testing with many many different inks etc, I have found that this personally works better than any thing else for me.
I have also found that when working with this paint, that Xylene is the right solvent to clean the pen, thin the paint etc.
As a result, the only prep that I do for rods, is to do a complete wipe down of the blank with Xylene before ever starting the build.

As a result, I never do any more prep in the inscription area when it comes time to do the work.

For myself it works very well.

Note: If I work with a blank model and or manufacturer that I have never used before, I will always do a test wipe with Xylene in the rod butt blank area that will be covered by the handle before doing the entire rod. Some rod finishes and Xylene are not compatible.
Always test before wiping.

Roger

I prefer to write on finish so I put down a coat of finish first. I scuff the finish with 1,000 grit paper. A light spritz of artists spray fix before the final coat of finish.



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Better to have and not need than to need and not have.

Rodger, what type of pen do you use with the Testors paint?

Fire Warrior Custom Rods

Thank you all for the suggestions.

Greg

Tom, I have really struggled with trying to clean, then scuff, then brush. In Minnesota it's very dry in the winter, and even in the summer down in my shop with the central air on. I have tried the soft brush but the static cling is terrible. I have had to go to low tack blue (3M 2080) to take the dust off.

Scoff and then a coat of finish. When dry scoff and use a damped paper towel for dust.

Bill - willierods.com

Bill, you win for going the extra mile.

Greg

Billy,
I use the fine tipped speed ball 107 and nib holder.

[www.dickblick.com]

Roger