Tip: Retractable Sharpie metal marker

[Pirkka]

Just wondering: how many has seen his/her plane disappearing due corrosion because using wrong color of sharpie? I'll will keep using colors but I actually wipe them away before priming anyway...

[DaX]

Pratt & Whitney has approved the black sharpie (the only color they approved for that brand) to write on engine components.

Another vote for urban legend.

[CraigC]

Originally Posted by RV505

Here's the form letter reply to the metals lab. We only use blue because we can't keep track of the different black markers.


Dear xxx

Thank you for your inquiry regarding our Sharpie Marker.

Actually, the Sharpie Marker may have high levels of halogens
and Sulfur, which may cause corrosion on metal. We have not
performed any testing on this marker to know for sure.

However, we offer a product called the T.E.C. Marker (Trace
Element Certified.) Every batch of ink for the T.E.C. Marker is
tested in accordance with the GE Aircraft Engine Spec D50TF8-S6
and the Dept of Energy Nuclear Spec RDT F7-3T. The actual
analysis and a certification letter, certifying that our marker
ink is in compliance with these two specs, are supplied with the
marker.

These markers are specifically intended for safely marking on
aluminum and other metal surfaces. I subsequently found out that
any reasonably large stationery store that carries Sanford
products can order these pens for you. But you have to know the
correct part number. So, here 'tis:

Sanford 13501 (may be shown as SAN-13501). This is a black broad
tip marker.

Sanford 13401 (may be shown as SAN-13401). This is a black fine
tip Sharpie

As you can see, the choice of color is not difficult.

It may well be that the regular Sharpie is safe for aluminum
without the certification. But to be absolutely certain, the
T.E.C. markers are the way to go. .

Looks like they are trying to sell their version. They admit to not testing the sharpie. I have seen nothing on Sharpies being harmful. We are in the front lines and are getting ready to bring the 757 and 777 onlline for my airline, I am sure I would have seen the emergency order that bans black sharpies from all aircraft. I vote for total salesman bs.

[RV505]

Originally Posted by DaX

Pratt & Whitney has approved the black sharpie (the only color they approved for that brand) to write on engine components.

Another vote for urban legend.

But your working overhaul and eng components are not made from aluminum.

[DaX]

Originally Posted by RV505

But your working overhaul and eng components are not made from aluminum.

While the majority of engine components are made of exotic alloys, some engine components ARE made from aluminum, and all workers use black sharipes to mark parts.

[RV505]

What particular part did you have in mind? I'm sure it is not sheet aluminum.. If anything it's a casting and has a proctective coating of some sort.

[CraigC]

Hey,

Did you guys hear? They grounded a bunch of Southwest jets because they found out Boeing used BLACK Sharpies on 'em....

[RV505]

You might build e'm new ( Hat's off to ya) but you probably won't see the affects of your material handling for years after construction. I see things from a different perspective having worked ( Sheetmetal ) overhaul of Civil and military aircraft after years of hard use and abuse. From this experience, I have a pretty good idea of what does and doesn't work. Corrosion in those overhauls is everywhere!! It is viable to me that regular sharpies could have been at cause. I don't know if you figured it out but alot of front office people are not the sharpest tools in the shed. Sometimes you have to lead them to water. Write up an E dialog or whatever Boeing uses and send it to your metal lab and find out for yourself. Maybe you'll get some money out of it if they have a reward program!

[CraigC]

Rv505/Chuck,

I think your basis of belief may have been led astray. In your own post you said that NO testing had been done to confirm or deny the harmful effect of a black sharpie on aluminum. So how do you know for sure that it is so? Because the sales rep for a competing company says so? Does that not make your BS meter bounce against the right stop? I personally use blue and red. But if someone said that my red sharpie was as bas as using a ball peen hammer unless I went to "their" brand I would be hard pressed to believe them. Just my .02.

[Harold Lanfear]

Originally Posted by CraigC

Hey,

Did you guys hear? They grounded a bunch of Southwest jets because they found out Boeing used BLACK Sharpies on 'em....

I missed that; thought it was bad maintenance practices. Where did you get that information; I'd like to see it.