India ink in Isopropanol alcohol

I really like writing india ink in isopropanol....

But I wonder how your solutions look?
I have recently obtained a bottle (a lifetime's requirement) isopropanol and some ink in order to age some planking for a building. I added a few drops of ink in the alcohol and thought that it would dissolve into the alcohol and become a homogenous solution - but I ended up with a "flaky" mixture where the ink refused to blend with the alcohol.

Is this how it is supposed to be? It is possible to rub the ink into the wood and it does the trick but I sort of thought it would look different.

Petter

There are two main ways India ink is made. Either with Pigments or Dyes. Pigments are particles floating in the ink to make the color on the paper, while dyes dissolve in the quick-drying ink base. Each has its purpose for different writing materials. Dyes tend to "bleed' on absorbent paper. It sounds as though you have gotten a hold of some Pigment India ink. Try a Dye version and you should have no problem with it mixing with the alcohol.

Thank you very much for the swift reply!!
I will set out and look for the dye kind of ink - didn't know they differed.

Petter

Joe- How do you tell the difference?? Does it state pigment or dye on lable??

Joe- How do you tell the difference?? Does it state pigment or dye on lable??

I usually just get the "Non-Waterproof" or "Water Soluble". I figure that if it isn't waterproof then it should mix with alcohol. But the manufacturers website should tell you otherwise.

Don´t know if they have the same things in Sweden as Germany, but see if you can find Pelican ink.They have paper and ink shops here so i am assuming it is the same there and you can ask them. They even have the old kind of ink made with those things that grow on oak trees. But anyway the Pelican stuff is what I use.

Joe is correct. Look for 'water soluble' on the lable. If this item becomes hard to find try diluting black acrylic paint, which is water soluble, with water or alcohol and give it a try. You may like it better as the acrylic paints are very modeler friendly. The wrong mix of india ink will always be wrong and is very difficult to correct. Always start light, let dry, and add more if needed to get to your desired color. Jim