Watermark Fluid...opinions Wanted

stamp store brand fluids vs lighter fluid pros and cons?

I ended up using the store bought one, on recommendation of a dealer I trust a fair bit. For the number of stamps I need to identify watermarks on, the cost of the store bought really wasn't an issue. I don't expect to need more than a bottle or two at most. I've done all of my German, US and canadian stamps (totalling over 7000 stamps) and have barely touched the bottle for those that needed to be done, and I couldn't see the watermarks in good light against the black tray I got for a buck.

Builderr, I prefer to use the store brand watermark fluid. My wife has many allergies and is very sensitive to chemicals. So far she hasn't complained when I used Uni Safe watermark fluid which is non-toxic and non-inflammable. I also have Ronsonol lighter fluid but because of its flammability and toxicity, I have only used it once or twice but only outside in the garage.

I didn't see any difference in their ability to reveal watermarks.

I completely agree with mhc99. The lighter fluid is toxic and a carcinogenic.

I use it (the safe watermark fluid) quite a bit for Great Britain and commonwealth (Australia and NZ especially).

thank you for your responses......another related question...
I scan all of my stamps at a fairly large size and reduce them for emails, but I never delete the original image...so I have many images that would be approx 6x8.
My question is....is it possible to scan the image wet to show the watermark?

I haven't tried it . . . .yet. (scanning stamps wet with watermark fluid).

i purchased one bottle from a dealer many years ago..it was too expensive per ounce..my 12 ounce Ronsonal (contains naptha) can will last forever !!

Smoking and Ronsol.


They have used it for years and guess what, it still works.

I don't always use watermark fluid, but when I do I prefer Dos Equis, um er I mean Ronsonol.

I use Ronsonol, but then I tend to be somewhat of a daredevil. Just yesterday I sprayed some Krylon without wearing a NIOSH respirator, I also handled a clorine tablet with my bare hands while cleaning my pool.

If there are people that are sensitive to certain chemicals then that would dictate the use of the "safe" fluid, but being that I am not, gives me other options.

I have used both and the only difference's I found was that Supersafe evaporates faster, and costs a whole lot more.

I think I am confused...does the fluid just dry up and leave no vapor or residue or do you have to wash the stamp in water and then let it dry?

Nooooooo, do not wash a stamp with gum. That's the magic of watermark fluid. It will evaporate leaving no residue and will not affect the stamps gum. Really the store bought brands or Ronsol will work but as stated most store brands will evaporate quicker and hard to detect watermarks will be need another shot of fluid. Ronsol evaporates but slower and of course does have a odor to it.

Fred, we used to dip our arms and rifle barrels into barrels of Carbon Tetrachloride over 50 years ago ..my shoulders used to get sun burn down to the bone...So Far So Good !!

The most dangerous part of lighter fluid never seems to get mentioned.
And that is lighting those dirty rotten tobacco things.

Five months ago I smoked over 50 of them a day for over 40 years.
That's about 7000 of those little disgusting things I have not had in the past 5 months.

I have had large amounts of morphine over a long period and the withdrawals are nothing compared to nicotine.

Hopefully your only use for lighter fluid is for watermarks.

I am terribly sorry to know what you are going thru
and have recently gone thru this with my wife....
There was no listening....she did what she wanted....
but to touch one mind about why not is a step in the right direction.

My experience is that lighter fluid is absolutely useless.

I've never been able to see a single watermark by this method.

Hi! builderr.
Please say hello to your wife for me.
I can relate to what you are both going through.

But it gets to a point where we have smoked enough for 6 life times.
To be able to breath properly again is just so nice.

Better to give up now and heal.
Than to be forced to and not be able to heal from it at all.

John and my poor non-smoking, still have Family.