General Discussion (Model Railroader)

Where can i get India ink? Or does it go by some other name?

try this:

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=india+ink+hobby

Any office supply store--Staples, Office Depot. Office Max, etc--should have it. You can also get it at art supply stores --which is where I last purchased mine--, and you can probably get it at Hobby Lobby.

No question is dumb if you don't know the answer! The "standard" recipe is 1 teaspoon of india ink to 1 pint of 90% isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol. You can increase or decrease as much as you want to get your desired weathering effect. Many people use that mix on structures with good results but I prefer powdered pastel chalks and dry brushed acrylics for buildings. I seem to find the india ink mixture works extremely well on rock mold castings, sidewalks or anywhere you want to accent cracks and crevices in your scenery. Glad you brought this up because I can't seem to find my india ink anywhere and could not for the life of me remember where in tarnation I bought it before! So for that; I thank you!

Matt

salt water cowboy:

I can't seem to find my india ink anywhere

Hey Cowboy,

Loosing or misplacing things was recently a very popular thread. I have been looking for my chain link fence kit for weeks and found it this PM along with a lot of other stuff I didn't know I had. Maybe looking for your ink will be a blessing in disguise.

I had used water to dilute the ink but didn't get good results so I'll try alcohol.

Thanks,

Bob

I just bought a bottle last week at our local Michaels craft store. I had to have a clerk find it for me as it was on the lowest shelf with artist supplies.

Joe

superbe:

I had used water to dilute the ink but didn't get good results so I'll try alcohol.

Some types of "india" ink are water soluable (says so on the bottle) but most require alcohol. There is also a less common product called sepia ink. Some people use this for weathering.

Karl

larak:

There is also a less common product called sepia ink.

Is the color brown?  Sepia photographs are.  If so I may be a good addition to the weathering toolbox.

I use a mix of alcohol and water so that the Ink doesn´t "burn" the paint.

I got mine at Hobby Lobby. You can also get it at Michaels or at an Art Store. Heck ya can also find it at Wally World. I just get the 70% alcohol for a $1.00. Pour the alcohol into a clean container. put about 25- 30 drops of ink into the alcohol container then pour the fresh alcohol into the original bottle. Put the cap on tight then shake it up to mix well. Get ya an old car and a fresh paint brush and start Weathering. 

 I have done just washes of the Ink solutions. I have added chalk to areas of the car then washed it with the ink. I have also added paint to the alcohol for different effects. Weathering is one of the hobbies sidetracks that I love to do. Ya can have somany variations to your cars. Just take a look at the next passing train and see all of the variations there is.      Kevin