Watermarks Question

[rbridge28570]

As I look at some foreign stamps I have noted the same stamp style remade over in different years!!! Example King George VI has a couple remakes after the original run. Sometimes the color tells you that it's not a original year. But sometimes the stamp color is remade the exact same color. They will list a Watermark Number.  What is the preferred fluid of choice to bring out the watermarks. Any company better than another? 

[guyana1230]

I always used a black plastic tray put the stamp face down and use lighter fluid, until someone bought me one of those gel pack detectors


forgot to say the lighter fuel evaporates very quickly leaving no trace and surprisingly no odour.

[rbridge28570]

Oct 26, 2013 1:48:44 GMT -5 guyana1230 said:

I always used a black plastic tray put the stamp face down and use lighter fluid, until someone bought me one of those gel pack detectors


forgot to say the lighter fuel evaporates very quickly leaving no trace and surprisingly no odour.

New to this never heard of a Gel Pack Detector?

[tomd]

Off course the warning is, do not smoke of be by fire with the lighter fluid.

Need to say for all.

But I use light fluid to get the water marks to show.

And they leave the stamp unharmed.

Just be sure it is completely dried, which it does not take long at all.

[Admin Bear]

i have seen a number of water mark detectors on line but never in person..

personally i use a black tray and Lighter fluid also.. its been done for years, works well (and cheap!!), and i have had little issues with this method.

[tomd]

Why black?

I use a old white porcelain pudding dish.

Everything shows up great with the white back ground.

I also do one stamp at a time.

[guyana1230]

this the type I now have

[guyana1230]

Oct 26, 2013 8:03:47 GMT -5 tomd said:

Why black?

I use a old white porcelain pudding dish.

Everything shows up great with the white back ground.

I also do one stamp at a time.

with black often the watermark shows even without using any fluid

[tomd]

really, never knew I must try this when I get the chance.

[Butterfly]

I always try first without fluid, just a black background and changing the viewing angle repeatedly and also checking with transmitted light. With some issues you hardly ever need to use the lighter fluid. Also sometimes water brings out the watermark well enough, particularly during the initial wetting process.

[MikeC99]

Rbridge28570, you might want to check this link for info on watermark detection:
www.stamphelp.com/HELP%20ABOUT%20PHILATELIC%20WATERMARKS.htm

Mike

[rbridge28570]

MikeC99 Thanks for the reference!!!

[MikeC99]

Rbridge28570, by the way, in spite of what the article says about not using lighter fluid, I also don't see a problem using it provided you are very careful using it. Many people have recommended using Ronsonol lighter fluid. My wife has bad alergies so I use commercial watermark fluid in the house. It is quite expensive. Sometimes I use the lighter fluid outside in the garage to check stamps.
Mike

[kacyds]

I use the black plastic lid from a Folgers coffee can. Works great with lighter fluid.

[JanetC]

I use the black tray and any type of lighter fluid I can find. been doing it this way for years and have never noticed any change to the stamps. I agree the black tray does help it show up without the fluid sometimes.

[kannik]

So kacyds, you not only get soldiers in your cup (Canadian/American
ad for Folgers) but you can also put stamps in your lid!
On second thought, maybe a double think is needed here. I`m not
sure whether I`m quoting a joke about the Folger`s ad or whether
it`s part of the real Folger`s ad!

[cbavier]

I would assume the smaller the black tray the better since it would take less lighter fluid. Am I correct? Do you soak the stamps in the fluid or just cover the stamp?

[Gordon Lee]

Greetings Reverend Mister Chuck
.
Just like the old Brylcreem ads use to say: "a little dab will do you." In this case, just a few drops (enough to dampen the stamp. Sometimes it works best when both sides of the stamp are wet. And, of course, you need the stamp to be face down in the tray.).
.
I have not used commercial watermark detection fluid in years. It stinks worse than lighter fluid and costs a lot more.
.
Respectfully,

Gordon Lee

[cbavier]

Thanks Mr Lee. Now I am just going to keep my eyes open now for a little black plastic tray.

[oquiststamps]

Most supply people at stamp shows have them, but here are a couple and they are cheap.

www.subwaystamp.com/ECONOMY-WATERMARK-TRAY/productinfo/ZCGWATT28/

www.subwaystamp.com/CLOSEOUT-ECON-WATERMARK-TRAY/productinfo/XCGWATT28/

this is where we get our supplies.

We use the watermarking fluid. Tried the lighter fluid (its so much cheaper) but it gave us both headaches.
But while looking for the tray I see they now sell it in a 1 gallon size. Since we watermark most of our stamps the gallon size will be very helpful!
We use the fluid to assess for faults on the stamps also. It helps reveal thins and tears.