Marking gear with nail polish

I've been using tape but that gets worn off and sticky and I don't live it. I've seen and heard of nail polish. Anyone have any experience with it? I liked the look of it but I would think it might chip off easily. Has anyone done this and had it work well?

Nick Boccia wrote: . Had anyone done this and had it work well?

Yes.

It works well, make sure you use something that is easily discernible across all biner colors you have. Use it in any recessed part of the biner too, so it's less likely to get worn off.

More people are starting to use it. Myself and several friends all have sparkly red polish marking our gear (we are super creative). I recommend two colors, placed in a spot where the gear doesn't ever touch rock to minimize wear.

Please use the search function.

Luc-514 wrote: Please use the search function.

Indeed. From just the last 2-3 weeks:

And earlier this year:
https://www.mountainproject.com/forum/topic/116254380/marking-your-climbing-biners#ForumMessage-116254384

Luc-514 wrote: Please use the search function.

I found a couple threads talking about marking gear. One went into duct tape and an etcher. I appreciate your input though to try and reduce the number of threads. I was asking specifically how people have done it and made it last. Maybe I should have been more specific in my question. 

But yea looking more for beta on the best way to do it such as type to use, method of application ECT.

Nick Boccia wrote:

I found a couple threads talking about marking gear. One went into duct tape and an etcher. I appreciate your input though to try and reduce the number of threads. I was asking specifically how people have done it and made it last. Maybe I should have been more specific in my question. 

But yea looking more for beta on the best way to do it such as type to use, method of application ECT.

Higher quality polish should last longer. Brush it on with the included brush. Apply it to a part of the piece of gear that cannot touch rock. If you gear is dirty, clean and dry it before you apply the polish.

2 colors, make sure one color is light and one is dark, that way it will show up on all gear. Its worth spending a few extra bucks to get good quality nail polish. I have to reapply my cheaper color about every 6 months on my "high traffic" cams.

Paint pen

I use Testors Model paint. Super long lasting.

Dylan Pike wrote:  Myself and several friends all have sparkly red polish marking our gear (we are super creative). 

you're starting to worry me dylan...

cdawg lion wrote:

you're starting to worry me dylan...

Only now?

The nitrocellulose in nail polish leads to micofractures in aluminum. Look it up.

Long Ranger wrote: The nitrocellulose in nail polish leads to micofractures in aluminum. Look it up.

I thought it caused gear to explode.

https://www.wired.com/2013/10/in-space-no-one-can-hear-your-nitrocellulose-explode/

Long Ranger wrote: The nitrocellulose in nail polish leads to micofractures in aluminum. Look it up.

Yeah, but as long as you make those fractures spell out your name, you're all good!