Dumb newb question?

[RevSmoke]

OK, I have Pelikan 200, had it for about 21 years. When I first got it, it was all I used to write with. It was constantly full and kept right on writing.

I have read a bit to see if something addressed this issue or not. I read that I should flush a pen, but what do you use to flush it? I may have missed something to read, if so, please direct me.

Here is my situation...

Well, about 6 years ago I put it down after emptying it and having no more ink to refill it. So, I wiped off the nib and kind of dipped it in rubbing alcohol for a bit to clean it. I even pulled some H2O into the bladder to clean it out it well. It then sat for almost 2 years. I got it out, filled it up, and it would write for a bit and then stop. If I twisted it to push ink out, it would keep writing till it needed another slight twist. This was a royal pain in the posterior. I emptied it, again cleaned it with alcohol (nib and possibly the bladder) and let it sit.

Well, I found it the other day, filled it an wrote with it again. I love writing with it. But, I had the same issue of needing the occasional twist to keep it going.

I am wondering if the rubbing alcohol affected things? Can I get this pen to flow as it used to without the occasional twist?

I also have a Waterman that had the same issue right from the very first time I used it. It had a choice of cartridge or twist bladder. After going through the cartridges that came with it, I put on the bladder. It has the same issue of no ink flow with a full bladder. I also cleaned this up with rubbing alcohol thinking that the nib was dirty and a good cleaning would fix it.

Is rubbing alcohol a bad idea? What should I have used/use to clean them?

Again, is there a problem with my pens or with me? Is there a way to get them to flow well again?

Thanks for the assistance.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

Todd

 

[djm2]

Good question. I DK about the rubbing alcohol, but I have noticed that some inks simply flow better than others. Does this happen with different types of ink?

 

[RevSmoke]

Good question. I DK about the rubbing alcohol, but I have noticed that some inks simply flow better than others. Does this happen with different types of ink?

The only ink I have used is Pelikan 4001 blue/black. I like the color, so I haven't purchased any other inks.

 

[fast14riot]

Might be a bit of dried ink trapped in the feed somewhere. A soak in water or water/amonia mix will help that. When flushing, keep doing it until the water runs clean and clear. For old pens I buy at the flea market and such, I remove the section and drop it in the ultra sonic cleaner.

You could also try adjusting the flow of the nib by ever so slightly bending the nib tines up and apart. This will give it a heavier, wetter flow.


-Xander

 

[Snargle]

Might be a bit of dried ink trapped in the feed somewhere. A soak in water or water/amonia mix will help that. When flushing, keep doing it until the water runs clean and clear. For old pens I buy at the flea market and such, I remove the section and drop it in the ultra sonic cleaner.

+1 Sounds like a good flushing is needed. I'd flush it several times with a mixture of water, household ammonia (about 1:10 ratio) and a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid. After everything is running clear, repeat the flush with several changes of plain water. Let everything dry out thoroughly, ink it up, and give it a go.

EDIT: That would be one part ammonia to ten parts water!

BTW, no such thing as a dumb newbie or a dumb question. We all started out at zero and learned from there.

 

[RevSmoke]

Thanks for the replies. Is rubbing alcohol a bad thing to use? Does it harm the bladder? (Not that I will use it again, just asking)

 

[Snargle]

I haven't heard of alcohol specifically being a problem, but I've never heard it recommended as a cleaning agent. Personally, I wouldn't use it on a pen.

 

[u56rh]

I'm always amazed at the amount of ink that sneaks out the end when I soak the nib, even after a decent flushing. Cool or cool/warm water works for me.

 

[syngent]

The alcohol could rinse away the silicone grease in the body that the piston need to function properly, and im not sure what it would do to the plastic parts or the piston head on the pen,... I would stay away from using it myself

 

[hillbilly pick]

I had a vintage marbled pen that I used an alcohol pad on because it was pretty gross. It caused some slight clouding to the finish, at least it is the only chemical I used so deduced that the alcohol was the cause.

 

[nemo]

The alcohol could rinse away the silicone grease in the body that the piston need to function properly, and im not sure what it would do to the plastic parts or the piston head on the pen,... I would stay away from using it myself

This is very true. Alcohol in cleaning pens is not a good idea, inside or out.

Your trouble is most likely a clogged or misaligned feed. The suggestions for rinsing are great, I would also take the nib unit out (unscrew carefully) and drop it into a glass with your ammonia solution and leave it for awhile; you'll probably see some old residual ink floating out.

If you still have some starving flow issues with it just send me a PM, I'd be glad to help you out as a favor, Todd.

 

[Brian Anderson]

Thanks for the replies. Is rubbing alcohol a bad thing to use? Does it harm the bladder? (Not that I will use it again, just asking)

There is no bladder in your pen, but I would never use alcohol on any pen for any reason. The nib should unscrew, take it out and soak it as perscribed above. Cold water and ammonia overnight, then run a fine wire through the feed to clear it out. It sounds like a clogged feed.

 

[andrew98]

By the sounds of it, the Waterman has what's called a "converter." It's a plunger type thing that operates by twisting a knob on the end of the device. Pelikans M200s don't have a bladder either. The entire pen body is basically a big converter. Check out the B&B Nib Wiki (see my signature line below) if you want some additional information.

Flushing pens with cool or lukewarm (never hot) water is a good idea every few refills or if you're changing ink brand or color. It just helps keep the feed cleared out. Good luck with those two pens. It sounds like you have a couple nice ones.

-Andy