HI Just Been Told To Use Lighter Fluid As Watermark Solution

hi I've just been told by an old stamp dealer to use lighter fluid as a watermark solution. Is this a good idea or not.

It is a good idea.

Safe and it works.

Hi thanks im only just getting into the watermark side of things and I did not know if it would damage the stamps or not.

No it shouldn't damage your stamps but just use common sense (no smoking and good or better ventilation) and you will make out just fine. Just a note of caution, don't use on photo/roto-gravure stamps as it will remove the ink. Other than that you should be fine. post pics if you do!

Hi Thanks will remember that I will put some pics on as soon as I can but dont seem to be finding what im looking for yet still cant see it im sure im just being stupid as always.

Make sure you are putting the stamp face-down in a watermark tray (actually, almost any shallow black plastic tray about 2"x2" will do). You don't have to put a lot of fluid. Usually just enough to wet the stamp. On hard to detect watermarks, sometime you need to immerse the entire stamp -- so about 1mm depth of fluid would be sufficient.

I use Ronsonol. Very cheap and almost all the time is just as effective as philatelic watermark fluid.

Many times, the watermark on non-US stamps (e.g., pre-1950 British Commonwealth stamps) can be easily seen by simply holding the stamp up to a light and looking at the light through the back of the stamp. The watermark will appear as light areas since the paper is thinner at the watermark. That way you will know what to look for when you test it out in the tray.

And if you're still nervous, practice on some damaged stamps.

And be sure to follow instructions on the orientation and viewing of the watermark. Scott catalogs assume viewing from the back, while Stanley Gibbons shows the view from the front of the stamp. If watermarks are inverted, or inverted and side-ways ... good luck figuring it out if left or right.

Ronsonol works great, but only use as much as necessary as it takes a while to dry out.

As khj states, almost any shallow, black-surfaced tray will do. I have actually used a plastic watermark tray turned upside down, and have used porcelain surfaces to get a really shiny, smooth surface. Give it a go, and welcome to the forum.

I use a black ceramic tile and lighter fluid for my watermark detection.

I,ve been using a black tray from a food container,(thoroughly washed), but I like the tile idea. May have to steal that one.
Ronsonol is best, tried and true.
Once I got over the fear of stamp demolition, it was 'everyone into the pool' so to speak.

Now I need a dual spectrum UV lamp.... where did I put my sunglasses????