ARE THERE ALTERNATIVES FOR SIGHT BLACK

[DAVE FRANCE]

When I used the spray cans they did not last very long and frequently became plugged up.

I've used the small SMOKE lamps, but they are a pain to use.

I've seen adds for the Ray-Vin supersmoker. If you have experience with them, please let me know how dependable and durable they are.

I wish there was something like a Permanent Marker that had something added to the ink to make it nonreflective.

If you know of something that works well, please let me know.

Thanks,

David

[Wayne Shaw, 1985V]

David Try using mold prep. It's graphite and alcohol and leaves a semi perminent coating on your sights.
it is a semi flat color and won't rub off. I've used it for a while and like the fact that it stays put, cheap and works for me. Hope this helps. Wayne Shaw Harlan's Light Cav 1985V

[DAVE FRANCE]

Good idea Wayne. I have some I will try.

Mine is from a company that is out of business. Where can I get more?

Thanks,

David

[Wayne Shaw, 1985V]

Dave I have several small containers 2/oz or so. give me your mailing address and i will send you one. Send back to wdsmas@aol.com Wayne Shaw Harlans Light Cav 1985V

[ken chrestman]

I currently use a small carbide gunsight smoker, it works fine. I smoke the rear sight and paint my front blade orange. You can use soot from a candle, match or a pitch splinter. The problem with spray sight black is they are really grey not black to make the sight really stand out. No flame on the line so get away to smoke the sights. Good luck.

Forrest Escort Co. Tennessee

Every now and then, when I'm cleaning my musket, I touch up the front sight with some cold blue (such as Brownell's Oxpho-Blue). I just apply with a Q-tip, following the directions.

[Mike McDaniel]

Paint. Go to a hobby shop, get a bottle of flat black paint. Flat, not gloss. Stir thoroughly before applying.

Should set you back about $3.

Yes, flat black paint also works well. I've even made a template out of a piece of cardboard; just a rectangle cut out so I can place it over the front sight to prevent paint from getting all over the barrel.

[Gary Van Kauwenbergh, 101]

I use Testor brand flat black enamel model paint, from the hobby store. I put it in a bottle of "M-Nu" left over from my Army days. M-nu was semi-gloss paint used to touch up the pin on rank we wore on our collars. The bottle is small and square, and has a self contained brush inside the screw on lid. Any fingernail polish bottle will do. Lots of guys just us toothpicks, but I don't care for that.

[Yancey von Yeast, 8073]

The simplest and cheapest (most importantly for me) thing that I have found is an oval Bic cigarette lighter. It has to be the simple oval ones. They are the only ones with a rich enough flame to produce enough carbon. I too have been through sight black, carbide lamps, paint, and a few others.

If anyone is hearing stories about me paying my team fees at the last skirmish, don't belive it. Supposedly I opened my wallet and it sounded like a long forgotten crypt. The moths that flew out then attacked Leinicke's shell jacket. It really wasn't that severe. The moths were blinded by the light and could not have known where they were flying...

[Brett Wolff]

Dave--
I have used the Ray-Vin smoker for about 3 yrs. now and
it is both dependable and durable..It has a place for both water
and carbide and once charged it will black for a whole weekend
(depending on how much you use/share it). Often I have enough
water/carbide left after a skirmish that it still fires a week
later....Once you use it, they recommend you not empty it
until a day after you're done using it. Ray-Vin also sells the
carbide

Brett Wolff
6th Ky. Inf

[Phil Spaugy, 3475V]

Ray Vin website.

http://www.sbsdistributing.com/6.html

[DAVE FRANCE]

Thanks everyone for your help,

I probably will buy one of the Ray Van smokers, but the other information may be helpful also.

thanks again,

David

[Scott Kurki, 12475]

Isn't the Ray Vin smoker just a smaller carbide lamp solution?