04968 Layout Fluid Red - 8 Ounce (236mL) Brushed Bottle - 80496 [Price per EACH]

Ok

Nice layout fluid. I use it as a dye for critical hardware for a concurs automotive restoration as they did at the factory.

Works very well, but is unfortunately quite toxic and carcinogenic.

If you have ever used Dykem marking fluid before, you already know what you’re getting. I’ve been using this stuff for over 30 years, and it still works the same as it always has. The price here is obviously better than buying it from a local metal supply store, where it can cost up to 50% more. For anyone who hasn’t used layout fluid before, the best way I can describe it is like Sharpie ink in a bottle, but made specifically for marking metal. You apply a thin coat to the metal, let it dry, and then scratch or scribe your lines into it. The scratches make fine detail and layout marks much easier to see. I prefer the red color for bright silver-colored metals such as stainless steel, regular steel, and aluminum. I would save the blue for red or yellow-colored metals like copper and brass. The bottle also lasts me forever. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever completely used one up. Usually I lose the bottle, or something ridiculous happens, like a family member running it over, before I actually need to replace it. I wish I could find the smaller bottles on Amazon at a good price, but I haven’t had much luck finding them. Before applying it, make sure the metal is clean and free of oil. I usually clean the workpiece with acetone first. If there is oil on the surface, the dye may not stick well, can flake off, or leave fish eyes where the oil was. It dries in just a few minutes and even faster if you put a fan on it. When you’re finished, it wipes off the workpiece easily with acetone and a rag. One thing to be careful about is spilling it. Don’t get it on anything you don’t want stained because it can stain surfaces pretty easily. The brush built into the bottle is a stiff bristle brush, which I assume is for chemical resistance, but it can also make a mess if you’re not careful when applying the fluid. Overall, if you’ve used Dykem before, this is the same stuff at a better price. If you haven’t used it, it is a simple and very useful way to make fine layout and scribe marks on metal much easier to see. I’ve been using it for over 30 years and will continue using it.

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