Just got new fluid damper...instructions said to paint for protection.  Well I did,  but do I have to make sure the timing marks on the damper are "scratched" so they will be seen when timing??  Or will the impressions be enough??

Ron

I've got one of those but don'y remember any thing about painting it. Mine was black with white markings. Maybe try and paint the edge with a contrasting color then wipe it off while its still wet and the markings should remain visable.

Well I painted the first coat silver, let it dry and then top coat with black.  My intent was to scratch the black off the first coat on all the markings and have the silver under show..however I wondering if that was even needed... 

You can use a thin brush and paint the line back on again, then there is no rust in the scratched part.

Mine was bare metal, I marked tdc, since I have a dial back timing light, then clear coated it quite heavy. Still looks good. Pumps38480.8968634259

You must have gotten the Fluiddamper Streetdamper. Thats the one I have also. I painted mine black. But like you I had to do something about the lines. I wound up painting the white line on 0 and forgetting it. I too have a dial back timing light. You should be fine. 

i usually paint them black..  then use a yellow carpenters crayon to fill in the groove..