DIY - How to make Engineers / Dykem / Marking Blue At Home

[@HopperXL]

At $30 for a 250gram jar of shellac flakes, plus $5 for a litre of Metho, plus the dye, it works out cheaper to buy commercial Dykem or Dymark layout blue.

[@DesignedinAustralia0]

Thanks for the comment. Video is from 2016. In Australian conditions it was much cheaper and Dykem layout was not available.

[@virendrajanakiram2365]

I'm thinking French polish (used for wood finishing) with blue or black dye added should work. French polish is spirit and shellac already mixed.

[@jors800]

I have a new variation (recipe). I buy alcohol based leather dye and add the shellac. It will be dark of colour and works like a charm. It is cheap. There are several dozens of different colour.

[@stourleykracklite7663]

Great video! Very helpful.

[@plunger110]

Purple pvc primer works pretty good too.

[@lordchickenhawk]

I might try this... I can't get making blue out here (Port Pirie) but I'll try looking for shellac tomorrow morning.

[@lordchickenhawk]

I made some and it worked well marking out for holes on a special manifold I am making for a project, Thanks Mate! :) Next time I might use slightly less shellac or a bit more metho because tend I paint it on with a brush thicker than most people do. It gave a fairly thick layer to wash off. Also I used a syringe to put the metho through the marker like you suggested but next time I think I will drill 2 syringe holes into the markers to make it easier to wash them out. I tried with just one hole but there was something blocking where the felt tip was pulled out and I couldn't just squirt metho straight through. I haven't yet tried the suggestions Barry made like printer fluid or acetone, perhaps next time.

[@DesignedinAustralia0]

@@lordchickenhawk Glad that it worked! I got more projects and interesting ideas coming. Also, you can check Mrpete222's marking blue solutions video as well if this one does not work(for some stuff it may not). Thanks

[@lordchickenhawk]

@@DesignedinAustralia0 Ok, cheers mate! What are you doing up at this time of the morning?! Are you still celebrating Anzac Day too?!

[@DesignedinAustralia0]

@@lordchickenhawk Just finished rendering and upload for another video on Radiator Flush DIY Tool+Early bird always gets the worm. lest we forget!

[@lordchickenhawk]

@@DesignedinAustralia0 Lest we forget

[@adriantrain2037]

Sounds very technical..... but it seems like it will technically work. Technically speaking of course

[@DesignedinAustralia0]

it does work but not that well,it is light in contrast unlike others. Thanks.

[@ctprjcstv3998]

Is it good for scraping?

[@DesignedinAustralia0]

it depends how bright colour is needed. Depending of formula this leaves very light finish. tubalcain on youtube has another video, i recommend that one.

[@IsaKocoglu]

I want to make it... but it sounds too technical 🥺

[@DesignedinAustralia0]

you can buy ready made `marking out blue` or `Dykem` brand layout marking blue. Even sharpie or permanent marker works fine.

[@IsaKocoglu]

The reply may be late, but it came nevertheless 😅👍

[@DesignedinAustralia0]

@@IsaKocoglu thanks heaps. As funny as it sounds,youtube never notified me about any comments for years,somehow when i went into comments section i discovered there were tonnes of comments waiting to be answered, hence the delay. :)

[@IsaKocoglu]

@@DesignedinAustralia0thank you for your consideration 🙌

[@BoxxArt]

Technically

[@UKPilot1961]

Hi, good idea. Would this still work without the shellac?

[@DesignedinAustralia0]

Hi, Thanks a lot. I don't think it would as Shellac works as a binder or sort of `glue` to keep the paint/ink on the surface. The recipe i found required shellac and i haven't experimented without shellac so far.

[@Travelingman-1980]

Too many technicalities.

[@yoesomite2199]

good Idea - !!!

[@kalleklp7291]

Copper sulfate.

[@Nacionarg]

I know your answer is a year old, but would you mind elaborating on using copper sulphate? Do you suggest just replacing the ink for the sulphate? Thanks

[@DesignedinAustralia0]

@@Nacionarg user tubalcain on youtube has a video making one with it.