Abstract: A method for detecting surface discontinuities in a part which comprises applying a non-water miscible fluorescent penetrant to the part to permit the penetrant to enter and become lodged in surface discontinuities, applying an emulsifying agent to the part to emulsify excess penetrant, washing the part with water to remove the emulsifying agent and emulsified penetrant while leaving penetrant lodged in the discontinuities, and thereafter applying particles of a dry hydrophobic developer over the part so that upon removal of excess developer, the part may be inspected for penetrant exuded out of the discontinuities and into the hydrophobic particles.