Cleaning a Pilot Custom 823- advice needed please!

[Henrik]

For a month I have had this MAGNIFICENT pen. I really like it. However it´s a pain staking procedure to clean it. Do I do something wrong here? I flush for ages. (Going slowly as advised as well). There is always some ink residue left no matter what. Should I leave the pen pen flushed with water over night to have it more tidy? Or I am overdoing this altogether?
Any advice appreciated madames et messieurs!

 

[Snargle]

If plain water isn't getting rid of the ink, then try adding a drop or two of dishwashing liquid to the water. Flush until clear and then do several rinses with plain water. If it's still an issue, you can try adding a small amount (5%-10%) of plain household ammonia to the water and flush as described above.

 

[syngent]

If plain water isn't getting rid of the ink, then try adding a drop or two of dishwashing liquid to the water. Flush until clear and then do several rinses with plain water. If it's still an issue, you can try adding a small amount (5%-10%) of plain household ammonia to the water and flush as described above.

Also, on my sacs and other closed filling systems (Non converter) i half fill with water so i can shake the pen and agitate stubborn stuff off the sidewalls and deep in the pen and make sure it mixes into the water so when i evacuate the pen it all runs out... dont do this with dish soap though as all you will do is cause bubbles that wont want to flush out lol

 

[Henrik]

Also, on my sacs and other closed filling systems (Non converter) i half fill with water so i can shake the pen and agitate stubborn stuff off the sidewalls and deep in the pen and make sure it mixes into the water so when i evacuate the pen it all runs out... dont do this with dish soap though as all you will do is cause bubbles that wont want to flush out lol

Thanks! I actually performed the "shaking trick" during my attempts. (No dish soap used). When everything looked neat and dandy I left it to dry. When I inspected it later on I saw this tiny ring of ink (Diamine Delamere Green) in the bottom of the filler..
Is it really that hard and painstaking to clean a vacuum filler?? If so I probably just stick with my favourite ink - Pelikan blue black.
I have now filled the pen with water and will leave it to rest (nib down) for a day or two. Pheew.. Is that something you fellows do as well?

Do you have any more tricks up in your sleeves? I really prefer to use water only.

 

[syngent]

I've been told its not a good idea to leave it soak that long... and is that ring near the opening where the nib is... its a staining spot for most all pens of mine, not unique to vacs

 

[Henrik]

I've been told its not a good idea to leave it soak that long... and is that ring near the opening where the nib is... its a staining spot for most all pens of mine, not unique to vacs

I will not soak the entire pen of course- I will only fill the barrel. Why would that be potential harmful in any way? Inks are mostly water..
Some hours have past since the soak and I the "ink ring" is gone now. Syngent- thanks for the info on the common staining on the barrel´s end. Apparently I am not walking alone here.

 

[syngent]

I will not soak the entire pen of course- I will only fill the barrel. Why would that be potential harmful in any way? Inks are mostly water..
Some hours have past since the soak and I the "ink ring" is gone now. Syngent- thanks for the info on the common staining on the barrel´s end. Apparently I am not walking alone here.

Well most pens are solid material, so you never notice, but with transparent body's that make a Demonstrator, you always see it, and it taunts you lol, you either have to learn to live with it.... or stop buying blue demos... or if your like me you cant stop buying them, and it still drives you nuts... and then you have a good excuse for your own behaviour that no one will believe anyway

 

[Henrik]

LOL
I am with you alright
This cleaning procedure drove me nuts. Anyway- it´s clean now. And hereafter I am not going to play around with different kind of inks for the 823. Magnificent pen though, so now shadow there.

 

[cursethis]

Unless it's a cartridge/converter pen... I try to stick to one ink in the pen. I love my fountain pens, but they're a pain in the *** to clean most of the time. I'll unretire a pen from my collection that was as clean as a whistle when I put it away, only to find remnants of ink still in the blasted thing a month or so later.