Can You Dilute "waterproof" Inks?

[axolotl66]

Simple question, I think!

 

Is diluting "waterproof" inks possible? Does the "waterproof-ness" prevent dilution? If it is possible, does it affect the ink's "waterproof" properties?

 

Graham

[Ink Stained Wretch]

Simple question, I think!

 

Is diluting "waterproof" inks possible?

Yes, I dilute and mix bulletproof/waterproof inks all the time. You can dilute all of them, you can mix most of them.

 

Does the "waterproof-ness" prevent dilution?

Not at all.

 

If it is possible, does it affect the ink's "waterproof" properties?

No, but you will of course get a less intense ink, e.g. if you dilute Noodler's Black by 50% with water what goes on the paper will be more grayish than black, but that's just because you're only laying down 50% of the ink you'd otherwise put on the paper. That less intense ink will stay put, however.

 

hth

[777]

Funny you should ask this because I just tried an experiment with diluting noodlers luxury blue. It still contains all of the waterproof properties (I soaked it in water for 15 min and still remained completely readable). This ink however is very feathery an watery already so It preforms even worse now.

[etoyoc]

Interestingly enough I just diluted some Bay Sate Blue 1:1 with tap water. I have only used it in a dip pen, but it wrote just as intense and is just as water proof as before. I haven't tried it in a pen yet. I would assume it would be a little less intense when laying down a thinner line.

[mooshi]

I'm pretty sure the "permanence" will be fine, since it's resulted from the ink's reaction to celluloid. It's just that the colour wouldn't be as intense...

 

-- Moo

[Yoda4561]

Use distilled water just to be safe, sometimes tap water has contaminants/chlorine/other stuff that could over time react with the ink. As far as how the water-proofness is affected, in regards to bulletproof Noodler's inks it's usually improved.

 

Most of the bulletproof inks have no water resistance until they react with the cellulose in the paper. The inks are so saturated that if there's too much actual "ink" on the paper some of it will just sit on the surface and not dry, adding water and reducing the ink concentration lets 100% of the ink react with the paper, making it smearproof.

Edited July 14, 2010 by Yoda4561

[axolotl66]

Thanks for all the input, guys, Yoda, your smearproof tip, especially!! I now see that the waterproofness is not the result of repelling water, but a reacton with the paper. And I like shady inks, so loss of saturation isn't a problem!

Graham

Edited July 14, 2010 by axolotl66