Higgins "Black Magic" Drawing Ink VS. India Ink?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Outside of ordering online, the local stores have no India Ink but they do have Higgins brand “Black Magic” drawing ink.

Is genuine INDIA ink necessary or better than drawing ink for soot washes on structures? Mostly styrene structures…

I found India Ink on Amazon once I got home so would like to know if I should return the Drawing Ink if it’s unsuitable for weathering.

Many thanks,

Jim

2

It’s probably the same thing. I believe Staples sells India ink if you have one of them nearby.

3

The Higgins ink that I’ve been using the past few years has worked fine for me.

It is item #46030 and sold as Higgins Fountain Pen India non-waterproof black ink. 2-1/2 fl. oz. made by Sanford.

Before that I used Scrip brand India Ink and didn’t notice any difference between the two.

Ed

4

Jim,

Which one is cheaper? Like Cacole stated, ‘‘they are both probably the same thing’’, made from Lampblack. Durable, waterproof,smearproof. I used to use the India Ink with shellac in it for Machine design drawings, never used the other. Btw, the chinese came up with the India ink formula back in 220-230 AD. and a lot of their works are still around…add non-fading to the list above. LOL.

Take Care! [:D]

Frank

5

It’s still on Amazon.

I remember that there was something about it that made it “better” that just plain ink, but I can’t remember what that was.

6

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India_ink

Ha! It even mentions model railroad use for staining wood. So at least one model railroader edits Wikipedia.

Also interesting - dried India ink is somewhat conductive. Makes sens, since it is made with carbon black. I need to measure the resistence of some lines of it, there may be a use for resistor wheels.

–Randy

7

Some black paints are not actually all black but somewhat blue. I thought I recalled that the advantage of India Ink is that it is a “true” black.

Dave Nelson

8

I bought India ink at Michaels craft store (with their half off coupon). They had a large size bottle so was especially cheap. mer

9

Dave, I think that is what I remember also, reading india ink wash articles in the past. It was pure black. I can’t remember if there were other things that made those authors/modlers recommend India ink specifically or not…

I knew there was something that made me ask this question in the lst place…

Jim

10

On Amazon the description for the India Ink includes a semi-gloss finish. The drawing ink (Black Magic) dries with a matte finish. Does adding alcohol to our wash mix automatically dull up the semi-gloss aspect?

I could also use a reminder of a typical alcohol to india ink ratio subtle washes should be.

Thanks guys,

Jim

11

The most important feature is to make sure you get waterproff, otherwise you cannot add more layers without messing with those already applied.

12

I don’t think it’s that we dilute with alcohol, although that helps - it’s more that the wood absorbs the other components of the ink, including the binders and fixers that give it a gloss finish, leaving just the carbon black deposited on the surface of the wood.

Without alcohol the wood couldn;t absorb enough, plus no dount the alcohol also helps some of the carrier evaporate as well as be absorbed into the wood. Besides, we only want a little of the black, to make things look smudgy and old. Like when your fingers are just a little greasy - when it’s in the skin but not coating it, so your finger isn;t black with grease but just slightly discolored.

–Randy

13

Does the India Ink wash work on styrene structures pre-painted with acrylics too?

That will be my main use if it does…

Jim

14

Yes, India ink wash may be used over acrylic paints on styrene.

15

But works far better on flat primer/ paint.

16

Thanks again guys. I’ve ordered some India Ink (Higgins) and may compare it with the drawing ink…or just return it. We’ll see.

Jim

17

Jim. Hobby Lobby has real India Ink here in Colorado. Doug

18

Wal Mart carries India ink in their crafts section. Cheap.

19

Thanks RGengineoiler, I’ll look next time I’m in the city. I’ve got some coming from Amazon for the lst batch-maybe the only batch I’ll ever need…we’ll see.

What’s the usual ratio for an alcohol/india ink mix? Again I’d mostly be using it on styrene painted with primer and acrylic paints. I have one wood kit I’ll use it on eventually. “Sweaty Betty’s Cafe’” (Bar Mills) but that kit will be for “down the road”.

Jim

20

Jim, I adjust according to what I am doing and test as I go. I have never had any set rule as I use the mix for different things such as scenery and some weathering of wood etc. Doug