Have Stabilo pencils changed?

Mark Felder · Post by **Mark Felder** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 9:12 am

It seems that the old standby blue and white Stabilo pencils have changed their composition. They seem to be harder, perhaps to keep the points from breaking. The downside for the signpainter is that the pencils scratch many painted surfaces. I've had baked enamel aluminum and automotive finishes leave the shop with noticeable scratches.

Does anyone have any solutions?

Thanks,
Mark Felder
The Sign Shop, Gardiner, ME
mfelder@gwi.net

Post by **Ron Percell** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 2:49 pm

Hello Mark,
Stabilos are still made the same way with the same material, and this information comes from the direct source in Germany.

Maybe it's the paint that has changed this date 01.26.06.

Here's a tip for hot days , and for getting a sharp/fine tip with stabilos: place them in the freezer for 5-10 minutes

Mark Felder · Post by **Mark Felder** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 3:59 pm

Ron

I did a small test...I found some Stabilo stubs lying around the shop, they were probably 10 years old or older. They were noticeably softer and didn't scratch the test piece of red aluminum . So I do think the composition of the crayon has changed.

I think you're right, the quality of paint has changed (for the worse) and that's probably part of the problem.

Maybe I'm just getting too fussy, but I'd be curious to find out if anyone has experienced the same problem.

Mark

Post by **Mike Jackson** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 5:14 pm

Ron,
Here's another tip:
On those hot August Texas summers, don't rest a stabillo (especially red or blue) above your ear.

Mike

Raymond Chapman · Post by **Raymond Chapman** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 5:33 pm

Hot Texas Summers? What do you know about hot, Texas summers Jackson?

We don't have any trouble with Stabilos here during the summer....we just turn up the A/C.

Only Yankees and mad dogs go outside in Texas during the summer.

Seriously, they are a problem. That is why I always used a China Marker, usually orange, because it would show up on just about any surface color except orange.

We tried keeping the Stabilos in the fridge, but as soon as you took them out for use they would melt.

Post by **Mike Jackson** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 10:04 am

Knowing it is winter, there might be a possibility your Stabillos are just cold and more brittle than you remember them from the summer?

We've had our blue ones for quite a while. I don't see any unexpected differences in them right now.

Mike

Laura Butler · Post by **Laura Butler** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 6:09 pm

Its funny that this topic comes up because I was just wondering if it was me or the pencils but it also seems that its harder to wipe them off. Recently I marked something (sintra I think) and I couldn't get it totally wiped off...even with Denatured alcohol.

David Harding · Post by **David Harding** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 10:24 pm

Don't leave them on the dash of your truck in the Texas summer either. You'll have a hollow wood tube, more suited for use as a straw.

Now, we have to worry about hot Texas winters. Dallas had less than an hour of sub freezing temperature last month--the warmest January on record.

I'm using more green Vis-a-Vis markers and Pentel sign pens than Stabilos these days.

Mark Yearwood · Post by **Mark Yearwood** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 8:43 pm

One more tip: Don't leave them sticking out of your back pocket and jump in your new truck seats.

Maybe you have some of the Staedtler Omnichrom pencils. I just ordered "Stabilos" from Grimco and they sent those. They are a little harder but basically the same. I like them so far, but you do have to use a lighter touch on softer paints.

Rick Sacks · Post by **Rick Sacks** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 9:56 am

We've been using those felt tip water based ink pens made by Pentel in an ochre color and they show up on both dark and light colored surfaces. I think they're called "Sign Pen"

Have Stabilo pencils changed?

Have Stabilo pencils changed?

Stabilo quandry

Harder to wipe off.