Top eye engraving - how to pick out?

[David9694]

The lettering is very fine as you can see - looking for advice on methods and materials for picking this out in contrast paint. I was never good at art…

Evans engraved top eye

[tatanab]

Similar circumstances I have run paint into the engraving, and then immediately wiped the surface. It has worked well.

[peetee]

If you want any paint to last you need to get in there and clean out all the crud and loose corrosion. A firm toothbrush and cleaning solution will prob do the job.
I would buy a tin of modellers enamel paint and apply with a fine brush. Any stray paint on the surrounding area can be removed with a smooth, non-fluffy cloth held tight to your finger so it only touches the top surface. This may draw the paint out of the recesses making a bigger mess but a bit of practice will get you there.

[simonineaston]

Are you having the frame refinished? If yes, then ask the refinisher's advice as engraving is likely to be filled with whatever finish they're using. If not, then pick out the engraved letters with a compass point, add paint of choice then either: do the wet wipe thing, (which is likely to drag wet paint out of the letters when you wipe, as remarked) or else, let the new paint dry properly (at least 48 hours) and remove excess with a craft blade, then gently polish whole top back to a shine with something like Solvol Autosol. Which of the two techniques you choose may depend on how flat the top of the tube is - if it's anything other than good & flat, you may be better off with the wet wipe technique. If good and flat, you'll be able to scrape the excess dry paint off without hitting proud parts.

[AndyA]

The easiest way I've found is to use a car touch-up needle paint pen

Humbrol works well, you might want to add 5-10% white spirit to thin the paint
Miles easier than a brush, can be used for luglining too. You can rub out mistakes with white spirit and a cotton bud