My new favorite thing: Tamper detection paste

So it works no better than a paint pen but is somehow better? This article fails to make any point at all and seems to be someone just rambling about something they think is better for no discernable reason.

Ben said:

So it works no better than a paint pen but is somehow better? This article fails to make any point at all and seems to be someone just rambling about something they think is better for no discernable reason.

Well, the mark is more persistent and easier to identify as broken than a paint pen. Sorry I thought I was more clear about that part.

But maybe its best feature is being a dedicated tool for an important job that won't get cross-used as something else or improperly stored or depleted when you need it most. It feels like it has the most value is being a hyper-specialized item with a single application that it's perfectly suited for while being suited for nothing else.

In reply to Ben :

 "the glob cracks in place rather than stretching, or dislodging from either the fastener or substrate. It also holds on fairly tight, but it’s removable once you actually intend to remove and re-install the fastener. It sort of chips off the surface rather than wiping off or smearing off."

JG Pasterjak said:

It feels like it has the most value is being a hyper-specialized item with a single application that it's perfectly suited for while being suited for nothing else.

That sums it up. 
 

I work for a major OEM where something like this is quite important.  We use paint markers. 

That is pretty commonly used at quick oil change places, on the drain plug.  

We used it in aviation.

I've been meaning to get some for the bigger jobs I send out. I put a new top end in an RMK600 last week and I should have put something on the head bolts and cylinder bolts, just in case people decide to "fix" things themselves.

I used this on my racecar all the time.  Now I use it at work.

One of the BIG advantages of this is that you don't need to look at the fasteners too closely.

It typically breaks off a fairly large chunk of the material if the fastener loosens a bit.  That makes it easy to spot from across the room.

No mark on the fastener means that it did get loose.  

With paint markers you still need to get close enough to see if the marks are lined up.

We use it at work now on equipment that would require a shutdown to inspect closely.  With this you can check from further away while the equipment runs.  If you can see the mark, chances are it's still German (gudandtite).

We use a similar product on every single nut and bolt at work.  Makes such a difference when a customer complains about something being loose and sends a picture back.

"Well.  You loosened it.  Thats why its loose."

I was under my car two days ago looking for the source of some suspension noise. One of the rear sway bar mounts was loose. Unfortunately, didn't resolve the problem.

As I'm looking over the suspension, I saw that the camber bolts had a couple of colors of paint on them, but the colors don't line up. Time to get it on a rack.

While cleaning up, I thought I should remember to ask a question on the forum for a recommendation for marking fasteners, then this pops up today.

Should I be worried?

JG, I for one, thought your writing was exceptionally well done with humor and clarity! What more could we ask from a guy who also wrenchs and drives at a high level?