About Dykem
About Dykem
Dykem Steel Blue layout fluid entered the market in 1920 and quickly became the industry standard for marking metal before machining, a role it has held for more than a century. The brand built its reputation on consistency: machinists could rely on Dykem's blue layout dye to scribe accurate lines on metal stock that wouldn't smear or wash away during handling.
ITW acquired Dykem in 1987 and has since expanded the brand well beyond its original layout fluid into staining colors, thinners and removers, paint markers, and the Cross Check torque-seal indicator line, all marketed today under ITW ProBrands. Dykem remains the most recognized and widely used layout fluid brand in metalworking, while its marking products have broadened into applications spanning transportation, aerospace, welding, and power generation.
Dykem products show up on shop floors wherever a machinist or inspector needs to mark, stain, or verify a surface, from scribing a cut line on raw stock to flagging a torqued fastener for inspection. On ChatMRO, buyers can search by Dykem part number or describe the marking task and get matched to the right product.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Dykem best known for?
Dykem is best known for its Steel Blue layout fluid, a marking dye that has been the industry standard for scribing lines on metal stock before machining since 1920. The brand has since expanded into paint markers, staining colors, and torque indicator products.
Who owns Dykem today?
ITW acquired Dykem in 1987 and markets it today under its ITW ProBrands division alongside other MRO specialty chemical and marking brands. Dykem has remained the most recognized and widely used layout fluid brand in the industry under ITW's ownership.
What surfaces can Dykem marking products be used on?
Dykem marking products can permanently mark metal, wood, glass, rubber, cardboard, and ceramics, which is why the line extends well beyond machine shop layout fluid into general industrial marking. Different Dykem products are formulated for different surface and durability requirements.
What is Dykem Cross Check used for?
Dykem Cross Check is a torque-seal paint used to visually indicate whether a bolted or fastened connection has moved after being torqued, a common inspection method in aerospace, transportation, and power generation industries. A technician applies a line of Cross Check across the fastener and its mating surface, and any later movement becomes immediately visible.
How do I find the right Dykem product through ChatMRO?
Search by the Dykem part number or describe the marking or layout task you need to perform, and ChatMRO will match it to the correct layout fluid, marker, or torque-seal product. Our RFQ form is available if you'd like our team to confirm the right product for your application.