Different Varieties Of Ronsonol?

I watermark with Ronsonol. Recently when it came time to replenish my supply, I found two types of Ronsonol. One had a red cap and said it was a light petroleum distillate. This is the type I normally use without a problem.
The other had a blue cap and said it was useful for removing labels, grease, tar and oil stains. I wouldn't think this is good for a mint stamp.
Both bottles stated they were lighter fuel. The bottles were very similar in design. Had I been in a "grab-and-go" mode, I wouldn't have noticed the difference until I got home and actually read the bottle.
Has anyone used the "blue cap" Ronsonol?
Dan

I have never seen the blue cap Ronsonal, but I agree with you that it doesn't sound suitable for use with stamps.

I've been using yellow plastic Ronsonal blue cap containers for a number of years now (bought from Walgreen's) with no adverse affects I can detect. My guess is that the new verbiage was added to make it seem more attractive, a sales gimmick, but that nothing in the mixture had changed. YMMV

Yes, yellow top for me also.
Of late, due to the tyranny of distance (Major Shops 100km away)
I have been using Ventti
The "extra refined" offered some encouragement.
N.O.S. 1268

One alternative to Ronsonol if it gets hard to find is VM&P Naptha which appears to be what Ronsonol is basically. Home Depot & Lowes carry it, or did. A quart can of it was around $7 a couple years ago. YMMV...

a reminder to use any aromatic fuel in a well ventilated area and in non smoking non open flame mode.

Thanks everyone for their input!

It seems from what GrandpaJohn said that perhaps Ronsonol is simply trying to rebrand its product.

Dan

My experience with lighter fuels of all makes is that they're useful for removing labels etc from items, cleaning old 45s etc. Like white spirit, their general household use extends well beyond their intended use.

Hi

I've been using Ronsonol for years. A little while ago I read that another lighter fluid company is producing the Ronsonol brand. It seems, as written, that the new Ronsonol has a "greasy" feel that the original did not.

Can anyone verify this?

Jerry B

Zippo bought out Ronsonol and the patents in 2010.

Ronsonal lighter fluid is light Naphtha. Ventii appears to be a "private label" of the same product. I would look and/or ask for a MSDS (Material Data Safety Sheet) to compare the contents.. required to be carried by ANY store selling the product. OR, you can always just pop the cap and use the use the "sniff" test as all Lighter fluid is light Naphtha with a scent. Anyway, I would test the product on a really cheap stamp before using on an expensive one. Better to be safe than sorry! And remember, don't leave a stamp in the lighter fluid for more than the time it takes to have the stamp go translucent and see a watermark-- about 3 seconds. The less time the better.

For a number of years I have used lighter fluid to check watermarks I notice that whichever brand I look at the ingredients mention 0.1% aliphatics. A micro biologist tells me this is a 100th part something oily. He gave me some Anhydrous alcohol which he reckons is a purer alcohol, but I've not tried it yet. I have never noticed or herd of anyone noticing any oily residue damaging stamps tested for watermarks with lighter fluid. What do people do to check the watermarks on very dark stamps?

Trial and error.
I use my battery lit stamp magnifier, upside down on stamps of Malaya.
It has 2 LED lights, when you hover the stamp over the back lit, the Crown CA Watermark, or varieties, is easily seen.

I have a descending order, check perforation size can ID the stamp, try against a dark background, hold to back light, Ronsonal, and if I REALLY need to ID, and the stamp is used, water, that rarely fails.

The stamps of Brazil will test one's patience.

Amen, to that! I find Argentina very difficult as well.

I have been using the "blue cap" Ronsonol without negative effects.

Don

Thank you Rod222. never thought of trying water, where can I buy it in small quantities? Do you think Fosters would work?

I'll second the Amen to Brazil stamps testing your watermarking patience!

Looks like there are two "blue cap" users that didn't experience problems.

Dan