Lighter Fluid On Stamps

Hey, Stamp Guru's I know the lighter fluid works really well on seeing watermarks and doesn't smell. Are there anyway you can tell when selling the stamp that it has been dipped in it and would it decrease the value of the stamp? Man I love this forum!! This must be the place because there is no other place like this place. Thanks to all that replies.

If you have two of the same issue stamps, such as two U.S. #499s, side-by-side and one had been in fluid and the other not, I'd be hard pressed to see how anyone could tell the difference. If you can't tell the difference, I don't see it affecting value. Perhaps there are some others who've been at this longer than I who may be of a different opinion.

Thanks Gator for the reply. That's what I was thinking but it pays to ask. My wife stated" You just ruined a $900.00 stamp by pouring lighter fluid on it". I replied to her that if I didn't it was only a $210.00 stamp.

Here is a nice little overview of different products used to find water marks.

http://www.junior-philatelists.com/watermarks.htm

I have seen expertizers dip mint C3a examples in lighter fluid to check for thins. If they are not afraid to dip a stamp cataloging about a half million dollars, then I think the rest of us are safe dipping whatever stamps we have.

Thanks mkfarm. revcollector you should know since what you do. Glad to have you here!

All that being said, please keep open flames away from the process.

Remember....dip and place in a black dish.
Most of us used the back of a black stock card.
This makes the watermarks or faults easier to view.

When I first got back in the hobby I was using a white dish. Nothing seemed to work - or none of my stamps had watermarks. But then the good folks on this forum set me straight............. use a BLACK dish!

The best thing to use is to try and find an old black glass ashtray with a smooth bottom, or a flat black piece of glass with a felt bottom and use that. Both show watermarks and potential damage well, and are the easiest objects from which to pick up the stamps safely when still wet. Like anything involving stamps and tongs, it takes some practice to be comfortable doing it. For newbies, there's nothing wrong with practicing with inexpensive stamps whether they are watermarked or not, just to get the feel of it.

That be why I save my damaged stamps!

The lighter fluid I use, Ronsonol, has an odor. It is also not healthy to inhale, but is likely safer than the other watermark fluids. After the stamp dries, the stamp itself won't smell (much).

Unless you have a health condition or going to pour a ton of lighter fluid in a small enclosed space or light a match your going to be pretty safe using lighter fluid.

It isn't like most people water mark their stamps while smoking a cigarette near an open flame in a 4 x 4 room that is air tight. I mean there is common sense I hope working with any flammable liquid.

However every lighter fluid I have used does have a smell to it. I use Zippo and it has a lighter fluid smell, has a warning that is is both flammable and isn't good to drink and should not be inhaled for recreation.

Hi,
After checking for watermarks, you could give the stamp a water bath which might well take care of any residual odor.