Watermark Fluid ?'s

Just started watermarking my backlog of British wilding issues and noticed how fast the watermarking fluid goes when you have thousands to watermark. (yes I have been collecting for a several years and this was the first time I dipped a stamp in WM fluid).

Question:
When you have a large amount of stamps to watermark is it better/cheaper to use the lighter fluid ($1.92) versus watermark fluid ($15.00)?

Any drawbacks to using lighter fluid (ronsonol?)?

Do you save your expensive watermark fluid for 'expensive' or mint stamps?

Ronsonol is my expensive watermark fluid. I've been using it for years with no problems noted.

Answer: Ronsol works great as it has been used forever with collecting.

Drawbacks: It does smell so expect to get kicked outside to use it. Also smoking while using Ronsol is a big mistake.

Be careful of some early engraved stamps. But this is extremely uncommon problem.

Also, be careful not to light up the stamp instead of the cigarette.



For stamps in which watermark doesn't show up well using ronsonol. Also, for certain older engraved stamps that are problematic (actually, I haven't had any of them, so technically I haven't done that).

But in general, using ronsonol is not a problem. There are some stamp expertizers that actually prefer using ronsonol.

Just think of it this way. Everyone wants to build a better mousetrap but the original one still works fine.

I have used ronsonol in the past with no problems. Recently I have been using coleman stove fuel.(about $8- $10/gal). Besides a stronger odor than ronsonol I have not noticed any problems. I only use a little at a time in a well vented area. Might be a problem if you use large amounts of it for hours inside. I think you can also unstick the self adhesives with the stuff too.

The only noticeable advantage in using philatelic watermark fluid is that it tends to do a better job of showing repairs. If you are suspicious, and ronsonol doesn't show anything, then drop it in philatelic watermark fluid.

Thanks for all the responses.

Finally went out and got a bottle of ronsonol... Did not have much luck with it, so finished off my bottle of clarity.

I think my problem is that my watermark tray was ribbed. Seems like the paper was darker than with clarity. I think for my next try I will find a flat tray. Any suggestions/comments.

By the way khj I am confused .

Yeah, I really hate the ribbed watermark trays. I prefer the flat-bottom trays.

I assume some people like the ribbed trays because it is easier to remove the stamp? Anybody know a better reason to use the ribbed trays? All I know is that I end up having to poor a lot more fluid when I used the ribbed trays.



Umm, thank you, but you may have me confused with someone else? I don't have a blog.

By the way khj I am confused .

Sorry!

Always best to use a large flat black glass tray. If you have one of the smaller glass trays than it is easiest if you turn it over and use the bottom; it makes it much easier to add and remove the stamps and uses far less fluid that way. A black GLASS ashtray or small plate turned upside down works well too.

Excellent point, Revcollector! I actually often use the backside of my watermark tray. I also have several small black bins on my desk, which I will flip upside down to use for watermark detection.

Of course in an emergency the back of a black stock card will work fine.

I can't count the number of watermarks I've detected by just putting them face down on my dark blue jeans!

Hi

Regarding lighter fluid. I have been told to use only Ronsonol. It seems that other lighter fluids may have some "oily" substance in them but Ronsonol does not. I haven't had any problems with it for years.

I use an old black glass watermark tray. I also have a flat black piece of plastic (about 6 x 6 inches) that I use. I have to measure the height and width of some watermarks so while the stamp is still wet from the lighter fluid I put it on the plastic slab for measurement.

Jerry B

I use a finger bowl, dunk the Stamp in the lighter fluid then lay it on the backside of a black approval card.....Don't have a Black tray.