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Repairing Black Finish Scratches

Started Dec 12, 2019 | Discussions thread
ProfHankD
ProfHankD Veteran Member • Posts: 9,147
Re: Repairing Black Finish Scratches

HRC2016 wrote:

I'd just use a black Sharpie.

I used to do that... but:

  • Black Sharpie is actually not black, but very dark purple.
  • It doesn't really stick very well to raw aluminum and does stick to paint/anodizing, casting it shinier and purplish.

Before I found Aluminum Black, my other fix was black acrylic paint filled-into any scratch or gouge. Acrylic paint also works well for refreshing engraved lettering. The result is durable, yet can be deliberately removed quite easily, so it's still a good option if "prettying-up" a lens that might have significant collector value with the original finish.

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