India Ink

[Dennis Bourey]

Hi Guy's, I found 2 bottles of Higgins india black ink in my stash. I made up a 16 oz of 91 % Alcohol and it looks like crap. I dumped in a bowl to use and everything is on the bottom separated. Is there a shelf life for this stuff? 20 years plus was in a train tote. I was wondering what stuff you great molder's use and your mixture for 16oz bottles or I can get 32oz if I can find them that size? Thanks Dennis

[Keep It Rusty]

I use Dr Ph Martin's.

I know Higgins is good, but the one I bought once refused to mix at all with the alcohol. What ever ink I bought must've been the wrong kind.

For mixing, George's standard recipe of 2 tablespoons per pint of alcohol, seems about right. That said, I always test as I mix. It's easier to add more than take it out!

[Dennis Bourey]

Thank's Craig, I have a Dr Martin's I just bought but it is Sepia and it mixed well. I forgot to ask is it waterproof or non waterproof? Dennis

[Opa George]

India ink is just a suspension in water, so no matter how old, if the suspension is still ok, it should mix easily with alcohol--maybe with some extra vigorous shaking.  Having said that, I have also had "blobs" from old india ink.  I discovered it was because the ink was so old that some of it had actually dried out in the bottle when I added it to the alcohol.  So the blobs were dried bits, not bad ink.

--Opa George

[Dennis Bourey]

Thank you Craig and George. I shook it for minutes when I made it and when I set the jar down I put it in a bowl or use brush it just alcohol on top and you can see the pigments on the bottom.Dennis

[Jim Donovan]

Dennis you are not alone, I have had the same thing happen and the ink was only a year old. Now I test and then test again before applying.

Jim D

[Dennis Bourey]

Thank you Jim. I will get a jar of india ink tomorrow while out shopping...Dennis

[BandOGuy]

Dennis,
Thanks for taking time to post what's been on my To-Do list forever.
May list is not really long, and a lot of it is model railroad related. If you're near Philly, you're more than welcome to stop by and work on more of the list.

[SteveCuster]

I use Higgins brand Non-Waterproof. It comes in the square jar instead of the round one. I think the non waterproof mixes better but I have had good results with both.

[Dennis Bourey]

Thank you BandO. Steve Thank you, Steve that's the same one's I have but I just bought the Sepia recently and it worked. My other 2 higgins are black ink bottle won't work and it's probably that there 20 years old lol. Dennis

[postalkarl]

Hey Dennis:

That's what I use and it works fine. Don't know about A shelf life.


Karl

[Dennis Bourey]

Hi Karl, You say you use Higgins? Thanks Dennis

[Zephyrus52246]

Just looked for my bottle of ink.  It's dried out as well.  Higgins non waterproof.  My A&I bottle date is over 5 years old, I suspect this ink bottle is closer to 10. 


Jeff

[Dennis Bourey]

Thank you Jeff...Dennis