Best Place To Buy Watermark Detection Fluid

Hello. I've run out of WM fluid. I'm having a very hard time finding replacement fluid at a decent price. Any suggestions? I'm in the US, Texas to be exact. Thank you.

I would google for a stamp store in your area first, before you order from a store elsewhere
I just checked - there are plenty of stamp stores in your area!


Peter

Thanks Peter. Hmmm near me, that is open for interpretation living in the Houston Area :) - There is a Coin Shop very close by that I have visited, but not much stamp related - that store is more about buying and selling gold. A couple listed in town open by appointment or one day a week I could try. I did find a place called Topper Stamps and Postal History that I might check out - but looks like they specialize in stamp appraisals for estates and insurance. Anyhow - Thanks for the suggestion Peter. Nora.

Nora - just use lighter fuel, as most of us do.

In your part of the Country, Mrita, I have dealt with the Tall Texan. He take checks/cash and is good to deal with. His site can be found online "supplies4u". Mail order of course.
Regards m

Nora - GeoffHa is right. Most of us use lighter fluid - I use plain ol' Ronsonol. It is slower 'drying' than watermark fluid, but I consider that a plus. It allows more time to see what the stamp looks like while it dries. It is much more available than WM fluid, too. I've been using it for close to 50 years.

Definitely lighter fluid. I just buy it at my local supermarket.

Mrita,
Most of us old timers use Ronsonol lighter fluid. There are a lot of threads here on watermark fluid vs. lighter fluid.
You might want to check a few out.
Dan

That's what I use.
Australia : Hard to get, all supermarkets, delicatessens, are no longer permitted to sell lighter fluid.
Why? perhaps drug use?

Rod222, probably because of three letters. VOC- Volatile Organic Compound, considered to be health matter as it is considered to be harmful to human beings as it offgases and is considered carcinogenic.
And how many people use old style lighters these days? Its all about flik your Bik today.

Mike

This thread sent me to look for WM fluid and I was shocked at the cost. Yikes! Almost as expensive as chicken and gasoline in the "new" America. I demand a Philatelic Rescue Plan.

My family has been using lighter fluid since my grandfather started his collection (then dad's and now mine) around 100+ years ago. No ill effect to the stamps has been seen.

A prior thread discussing watermark fluid in general FYI, although not so much about where to get it.

http://goscf.com/t/45247

When I was starting to collect, some of the old timers then used carbon tetra-chloride. Talk about a VOC!

While it was available, it did remove spots from clothing very well too though.

Dan

Thank you all. I'm going to try the lighter fluid. I need to get over my hesitation. :)

I have used a product called Bestine for 50 years to watermark stamps without any problems. You can purchase it at art supply stores and buy it by the quart for about $25.00. Bestine is for thinning or reducing rubber cement.

A friend of mine purchased a British collection that had many expensive mint stamps that were attached with surgical tape to the album pages and each had a stain that showed through the stamp. I soaked the stamps in Bestine and the product not only removed the tape but also the stain and restored the stamps to beautiful mint never hinged condition without any trace of the tape, even under magnification.