A method of identifying an object comprising providing an vehicle having
on a surface thereof at least one layer of paint, such as a
urethane-based paint. A unique alphanumeric identification is applied to
the paint layer with a fluorescent material at a selected unrevealed
location thereon. The fluorescent material is permitted to migrate into
the at least one paint layer, while an excess amount of fluorescent
material remains on the at least one paint layer. Thereupon, the excess
amount of fluorescent material is removed from the at least one paint
layer with a solvent. The unique discrete identification created by
fluorescent material migrated into the at least one paint layer is
visible at an acute angle to the object surface without use of an
ultraviolet light, while being substantially invisible at an angle normal
to the object surface.