Highlighting engraving

[leenowell]

Hi all

I have had a small "gold" plate engraved as part of a cheap trophy I bought. The engraving is small and doesn't really stand out. Is there a way of "highlighting" the letters? I guess I am thinking of something I can paint over the whole thing and then maybe wipe it off leaving it on in the grooves of the letters so they stand out. The letters are too small to use a pen or something to highlight them by hand.

Thanks

Lee.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Old way was wax. De-grease it thoroughly, and use a ChinaGraph pencil to your choice of colour - you'll get them in a decent stationer. Then just wipe off any on the surface.

[alan_m]

Youtube videos gives you many options

Melt a wax crayon into the engraving with a hot air gun and scrape off the excess with something like a plastic credit card.

Coloured nail polish WARNING: Redneck Americans infilling gun engravings and in one case accompanied by ear rotting music.

[Bob Eager]

I've had some success with 'solid paint'.

[Adrian Brentnall]

On engraved glass I've used the 'gold' or 'silver' furniture wax - comes in tiny tubes. Also comes in a variety of non-metallic colours.

Wipe on, leave to dry, buff off and it'll remain in the engraved sections...

You'd find it in the type of shop that does 'shabby chic' supplies...

[Thomas Prufer]

This, followed by a rubbing with an oily rag. Gets the bits off the plastic doesn't.

Thomas Prufer

[leenowell]

Great tips thanks all

[The Natural Philosopher]

yes, that works. Another option if its copper or brass is to get something that makes copper sulphide, pour it on and burnish it away from the plate except the grooves...