Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
08:29:58pm
Can someone please explain more about how to use the lighter fluid? Is it the container you get at the smoke shop for those refillable lighters? Or what is it? How exactly do you use it?
Thanks in advance.
Kelly
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Yrs. Ronsonol in that yellow bottle works fine. You use it the same as you use watermark fluid. EXCEPT! You MUST be in a well ventilated area when you use it. Remember it is a petroleum product and built-up fumes can cause an explosion.
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09:01:59pm
So in other words, take my stamps out on my balcony to check the watermarks? 
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"So in other words, take my stamps out on my balcony to check the watermarks?"
No, it's not that extreme. You could check the watermark of a few stamps in a closed room the size of a bedroom with no worries. It only takes a few drops and you can often see the watermark as you drip the Ronsonol onto the back of the stamp (in the watermark tray). I would do 5 or 6 stamps without any concern at all EXCEPT you don't want ANY ignition sources. I don't smoke, but if you do, NOT in the same room with Ronsonol! Ronsonol has a very low ignition point, so treat it like gasoline. It evaporates rather quickly, so if you're only doing a few stamps you only have to be careful for a short period of time. That's why I like it so much. It's cheap. It's readily available. It works FAST!
The downside is the fumes if you want to do more than a very small number of stamps. I was trying to ID about 50 Third Bureau stamps one night and simply put a fan on low on the other side of the room and cracked a window in front of me a few inches. The air flow was enough to waft the fumes out the window. It doesn't have to be much.
Just be sure to use the minimal amount you can each time. The more you use the more fumes you are putting into your breathing air. If you use just enough to barely wet each stamp you can keep the fumes to a minimum. If you start to "notice" the fumes, it's time to re-evalute the air flow in your environment!
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Yes it works great. I'd also like to add that you should always use stamp tongs so that you don't get any of the fluid on your fingers. Not sure what long term harm that it could cause, but even short term it turns your skin white and sort of chalky. I've learnd that from experience. It doesn't stay that way, but I found it unpleasant for about an hour or so. No pain just a strange feeling.
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10:22:49am
And it should go without saying, Do NOT Light a Cigarette !!!
I get the same results with regular isoprophenol ---- Rubbing Alcohol ----
And is is available at the baby medicine aisle of your supermarket at a minimal cost.
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"poodlemum":
I use rubbing alcohol, too, for detecting watermarks. Unlike lighter fluid,
isopropyl has a number of other uses around the home, particularly as a
cleaner or sterilant.
John Derry
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02:07:38pm
Rubbing alcohol is a staple in my house. I've got lots. I was afraid it would harm the colours on the stamps. What is the best method of using it? With the watermark fluid I've always put a small amount in the tray and then it's a race to see how many watermarks I can identify before it evaporates! Lol
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Poodle_Mum:
I use an eye-dropper. Place stamp on a flat,
preferably black or dark, surface such as a
little plastic container used to hold small items.
Practise using your disposable duplicate stamps.
John Derry
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At my local stamp shop they have bottles of watermark fluid on the shelf for sale, and behind the counter is a yellow bottle of Ronsonol.
There is more danger in drinking a glass of Brandy and smoking a cigar than there is in using Ronsonol for watermark fluid.
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....but drinking brandy, smoking a cigar and using Ronsonol at the same time is dangerous
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10:36:07pm
Ok, so stock up on Brandy, a cigar and Lighter fluid - gotta put that on my shopping list! LOL
You guys are nuts!!
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"....but drinking brandy, smoking a cigar and using Ronsonol at the same time is dangerous"
Just don't drink the Ronsonol and don't use the Brandy for checking watermarks.
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A Service Dog gives a person with a disability independence. Never approach, distract or pet a working dog, especially when (s)he is in harness. Never be afraid to ask questions to the handler (parent).
04 Nov 2013
08:29:58pm
Ok guys, this topic has been mentioned before and throughout on different issues.
Can someone please explain more about how to use the lighter fluid? Is it the container you get at the smoke shop for those refillable lighters? Or what is it? How exactly do you use it?
Thanks in advance.
Kelly
Login to Like
this post
re: Lighter Fluid
Yrs. Ronsonol in that yellow bottle works fine. You use it the same as you use watermark fluid. EXCEPT! You MUST be in a well ventilated area when you use it. Remember it is a petroleum product and built-up fumes can cause an explosion.
Login to Like
this post
A Service Dog gives a person with a disability independence. Never approach, distract or pet a working dog, especially when (s)he is in harness. Never be afraid to ask questions to the handler (parent).
04 Nov 2013
09:01:59pm
re: Lighter Fluid
So in other words, take my stamps out on my balcony to check the watermarks?
Login to Like
this post
re: Lighter Fluid
"So in other words, take my stamps out on my balcony to check the watermarks?"
No, it's not that extreme. You could check the watermark of a few stamps in a closed room the size of a bedroom with no worries. It only takes a few drops and you can often see the watermark as you drip the Ronsonol onto the back of the stamp (in the watermark tray). I would do 5 or 6 stamps without any concern at all EXCEPT you don't want ANY ignition sources. I don't smoke, but if you do, NOT in the same room with Ronsonol! Ronsonol has a very low ignition point, so treat it like gasoline. It evaporates rather quickly, so if you're only doing a few stamps you only have to be careful for a short period of time. That's why I like it so much. It's cheap. It's readily available. It works FAST!
The downside is the fumes if you want to do more than a very small number of stamps. I was trying to ID about 50 Third Bureau stamps one night and simply put a fan on low on the other side of the room and cracked a window in front of me a few inches. The air flow was enough to waft the fumes out the window. It doesn't have to be much.
Just be sure to use the minimal amount you can each time. The more you use the more fumes you are putting into your breathing air. If you use just enough to barely wet each stamp you can keep the fumes to a minimum. If you start to "notice" the fumes, it's time to re-evalute the air flow in your environment!
Login to Like
this post
re: Lighter Fluid
Yes it works great. I'd also like to add that you should always use stamp tongs so that you don't get any of the fluid on your fingers. Not sure what long term harm that it could cause, but even short term it turns your skin white and sort of chalky. I've learnd that from experience. It doesn't stay that way, but I found it unpleasant for about an hour or so. No pain just a strange feeling.
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this post
Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
05 Nov 2013
10:22:49am
re: Lighter Fluid
And it should go without saying, Do NOT Light a Cigarette !!!
I get the same results with regular isoprophenol ---- Rubbing Alcohol ----
And is is available at the baby medicine aisle of your supermarket at a minimal cost.
Login to Like
this post
The past is a foreign country, they do things different there.
05 Nov 2013
12:57:49pm
re: Lighter Fluid
"poodlemum":
I use rubbing alcohol, too, for detecting watermarks. Unlike lighter fluid,
isopropyl has a number of other uses around the home, particularly as a
cleaner or sterilant.
John Derry
Login to Like
this post
A Service Dog gives a person with a disability independence. Never approach, distract or pet a working dog, especially when (s)he is in harness. Never be afraid to ask questions to the handler (parent).
05 Nov 2013
02:07:38pm
re: Lighter Fluid
Rubbing alcohol is a staple in my house. I've got lots. I was afraid it would harm the colours on the stamps. What is the best method of using it? With the watermark fluid I've always put a small amount in the tray and then it's a race to see how many watermarks I can identify before it evaporates! Lol
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this post
The past is a foreign country, they do things different there.
05 Nov 2013
03:58:30pm
re: Lighter Fluid
Poodle_Mum:
I use an eye-dropper. Place stamp on a flat,
preferably black or dark, surface such as a
little plastic container used to hold small items.
Practise using your disposable duplicate stamps.
John Derry
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
re: Lighter Fluid
At my local stamp shop they have bottles of watermark fluid on the shelf for sale, and behind the counter is a yellow bottle of Ronsonol.
There is more danger in drinking a glass of Brandy and smoking a cigar than there is in using Ronsonol for watermark fluid.
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
re: Lighter Fluid
....but drinking brandy, smoking a cigar and using Ronsonol at the same time is dangerous
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
A Service Dog gives a person with a disability independence. Never approach, distract or pet a working dog, especially when (s)he is in harness. Never be afraid to ask questions to the handler (parent).
05 Nov 2013
10:36:07pm
re: Lighter Fluid
Ok, so stock up on Brandy, a cigar and Lighter fluid - gotta put that on my shopping list! LOL
You guys are nuts!!
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this post
re: Lighter Fluid
"....but drinking brandy, smoking a cigar and using Ronsonol at the same time is dangerous"
Just don't drink the Ronsonol and don't use the Brandy for checking watermarks.
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