Scope Ring Marks

[andrews1958]

Most scope adds mention if the scope they are selling has scope marks and if not mentioned buyer will ask. My question is can ring marks be removed? If not can you send them back to the manufacture and have them refurbish the scope?

 

[NateHaler]

Most scope adds mention if the scope they are selling has scope marks and if not mentioned buyer will ask. My question is can ring marks be removed? If not can you send them back to the manufacture and have them refurbish the scope?

Ring marks are cosmetic flaws, and would almost certainly be ridiculously expensive for a mfg. to remove. They'd have to refinish the scope, which might even mean taking it apart.

If you don't want ring marks, then either use Burris rings with the plastic inserts, or don't mount the scope. Or, hope that you get the perfect alignment and scope to ring fit that somehow results in little-to-no marks. My advice is learn to live with ring marks, at least if you plan on using your gear the way it's intended.

 

[BoydAllen]

If you lap your rings, chamfer all the inside corners and edges, thoroughly clean after lapping, and refrain from over tightening, you shouldn't have ring marks. Most who mount scopes, even professionally do a sloppy job. For those in a hurry, the best protection is to use the Burris Signature rings, with the plastic inserts.

 

[Bert]

I have always lapped my rings. Cleaned them with brake clean used a torque wrench on the screws and never had a mark.

 

[SS427]

Hard to remove ring marks, but you can make an effort to cover them up. The black Sharpie matches some matt finishes pretty good, and there are some products you can buy that will cover them up. Ring marks or covered up ring marks are like a slight blemish on a hot chick anyway - nothing to worry about.

I've used Warne rings for some time now and never have a problem with marks.

 

[tmwinds]

Most ring marks found when using aluminum rings are actually on the surface of the scope finish. I've found polishing with Meguiar's ScratchX will remove the aluminum and restore the original finish to the scope tube. If the tube has been scratched to bare metal, use a sharpie to touch it up.

 

[LarryDScott]

If you arenot using Burris inserted rings, do this:
1.Align your rings w/an alignment bar, to make the scope application stress free.
2. Liberally coat the inside of the rings w/elmers or any rubber cement.
3. Install the scope as usual. I know it looks like a real mess.
4. DONOT attempt to remove the glue that squeezed out, until its dried. It should be excessive.
5 With your fingers, peel of the glue thats showing. For the glue thats between the scope and action, take a small towell, run it under the scope, and work it back and forth like shinning your shoe, the glue will peel right out.
6 You should now have a scope w/no marks when you remove it.
BTW when you take the scope off, there will be lots of glue on the tube. Not to worry, it peels right off. Larry in western Ky.

 

[TheSnake]

If you arenot using Burris inserted rings, do this:
1.Align your rings w/an alignment bar, to make the scope application stress free.
2. Liberally coat the inside of the rings w/elmers or any rubber cement.
3. Install the scope as usual. I know it looks like a real mess.
4. DONOT attempt to remove the glue that squeezed out, until its dried. It should be excessive.
5 With your fingers, peel of the glue thats showing. For the glue thats between the scope and action, take a small towell, run it under the scope, and work it back and forth like shinning your shoe, the glue will peel right out.
6 You should now have a scope w/no marks when you remove it.
BTW when you take the scope off, there will be lots of glue on the tube. Not to worry, it peels right off. Larry in western Ky.

That's a good idea Larry! I would venture to say that this would also allow you to use less torque on the ring screws since you are somewhat glueing them in, even with the lesser type glue. Thanks for the tip sir.

 

[LarryDScott]

This process protects the scope from the sharp ring edges, plus lays down an anti skid coating to give a better grip on the tube. I tighten as normal, as if I was not using the glue. So far I have never had a mark. Larry in western Ky

 

[TheSnake]

I tighten as normal, as if I was not using the glue.

What do you torque the ring screws to Larry and it is the same for all?

 

[LarryDScott]

I dont use a torqe wrench. I just snug them as tight as they will go, using a criss cross/front to rear tightning pattern This may not be necessary, but have never had a scope to loose zero. Larry

 

[NateHaler]

Scope ring marks might marginally hurt a scope's resale value, but otherwise are just a cosmetic annoyance., However, lapping rings will drastically reduce the resale value of the rings (heck, I would never buy rings that were lapped) because the lapping is specific to the receiver of a specific rifle.

I mention resale because the OP mentions "adds" (sic) himself.

Larry Scott, thanks for that tip. I just might try that.

 

[Rodney13]

If you arenot using Burris inserted rings, do this:
1.Align your rings w/an alignment bar, to make the scope application stress free.
2. Liberally coat the inside of the rings w/elmers or any rubber cement.
3. Install the scope as usual. I know it looks like a real mess.
4. DONOT attempt to remove the glue that squeezed out, until its dried. It should be excessive.
5 With your fingers, peel of the glue thats showing. For the glue thats between the scope and action, take a small towell, run it under the scope, and work it back and forth like shinning your shoe, the glue will peel right out.
6 You should now have a scope w/no marks when you remove it.
BTW when you take the scope off, there will be lots of glue on the tube. Not to worry, it peels right off. Larry in western Ky.

 

[xring]

To answer your Question ..... No . For those that hate Ring Marks , you can cover them up fairly well with a little practice . Birchwood Casey makes Pens with Gloss Black and Matte Black . My experience is that these Pens dry up quickly , so try to buy freshly manufactured ones if that is possible . Also , try to only cover the width of the Marks ....a big glob of ink will not produce good results . You can also try the Liquid Aluminum Black which works on some types of Aluminum Tubes but not on others . The old Steel Tubes can use the same treatments with Pens and Bluing Liquids and Gels , but some types of Steel do not react very well . Be sure to degrease the Ring Marks initially or the results will be less than desired . Nitrile Gloves come in handy . The easiest cure for Ring Marks that a friend came up with was wrapping the Scope Tube with 3M Magic Tape ( or I suppose many other types of Tape ) . He was a frequent Target Shooter and I saw no marks on a Leupold I bought from him AFTER he removed the Tape . It should be noted we shot mild kicking small case Cartridges . I'm not sure what effect Tape under the Rings would have on big Boomers .

 

[BenPerfected]

If you lap your rings, chamfer all the inside corners and edges, thoroughly clean after lapping, and refrain from over tightening, you shouldn't have ring marks. Most who mount scopes, even professionally do a sloppy job. For those in a hurry, the best protection is to use the Burris Signature rings, with the plastic inserts.

An alternative to the plastic insert type ring is to lap all your rings and then line in inside of the rings with Scotch Magic Tape. You can trim the tape with a small razor knife. This is a no cost solution to totally eliminate ring marks.
Ben

 

[Mark W]

In the past I have had success lining rings with electrical tape to avoid ring marks on my scopes. Honing the rings and smoothing any rough edges also works.

 

[JRS]

Light ring marks can be removed with a pencil eraser. Many decades ago, B&L suggested using rubber cement on the rings to avoid ring marks on the scope.

 

[Ggmac]

I use to use double side tape , used for some flooring applications . Very ,very thin and definately secured your scope .
Not the stuff with foam in the middle .

 

[Stud Duck]

Silicon Oil does a good job of hiding them and it restores the luster to your scope's finish, making it look new or as new.

 

[moondog]

I've found the best way to cover up scope ring marks is to put scope rings on!
I use an accurate dial torque wrench, and haven't experienced marks on mine.