How often to re-apply grease to eyedroppered pen threads?

[the_edski]

I know there is no such thing as a "rule of thumb" around here, with all the YMMV and what-have-you. But anyways, is there a general guideline for re-applying grease to the threads? Is it overkill to put more grease on everytime you open the pen to refill it? Thank you, my more knowledgeable Nib brothers!

 

[SmoovD]

I reapply each time I refill but I will disassemble and clean after each fill has been emptied. Even I did not I would probably reapply just to be safe. A tiny dab of grease is much cheaper than a shirt.

 

[brianw]

Every time I refill

 

[Doc4]

A little too much silicone = a bit of silicone to wipe away with tissue.

Not quite enough silicone = a big leak of ink at the wort possible time.


... err on the side of caution??

... a "rule of thumb" around here for re-applying grease to the threads?

Use forefinger, not thumb.

 

[the_edski]

Use forefinger, not thumb.

Thanks for the help, gents. In case I came across the wrong way, I'm not cheaping out on silicone...just had been wondering if over-application could harm the pen or gum up the works somehow. I will be liberal in my usage!

 

[SmoovD]

It doesn't need to be globbed on, just a touch on the threads does the trick.

 

[Dave258]

And don't try to crank those Preppies too tight, I have heard they can snap!

 

[oc_in_fw]

Use forefinger, not thumb.

So, the rule of thumb is "do not use thumb"? Seriously, I clean the threads and re-apply every fill. We have a metric boat load of that grease here at work, so why not?

 

[Jimmy James]

Too much can be a bad thing in terms of mess you have to wipe up but also if it gets into the barrel where it could cause flow problems if it goes the wrong places.

With that said, I'd suggest wiping off the old grease and applying a bit of new grease at every fill. I don't do much with eyedroppers but that's what I tend to do with my few Preppys and other pens.

 

[bgray]

I'm sure that it might vary with different pens.

But with mine, and with what you can expect on the group buy....as long as you don't leave the section out so the grease can dry, you probably don't need to reapply for 9 months to a year, if not longer. This assumes that you are using the good thick stuff that I supply and recommend.

Remember that before self filling pens there were eyedroppers. Those eyedroppers did not have Orings or grease. It was just threads.

So as long as threads are precise, grease is technically not necessary.

Now all of this said - I prefer that my customers use grease, and you can reapply as often as you like. There's no harm. Especially if you don't want to take a chance.

I always make sure that the grease is on the nib housing of any ED, as well. One application there should last forever, assuming that you are not removing the nib frequently.

But as long as you are seeing a thin glossy layer within the threads, you'll be fine.

This might not apply with some modern pens, where the threads have more play, or pens that were not intended to be eyedroppers. In those cases, you might want to slop it on a bit more.

 

[u56rh]

Great question and thanks for all the answers. I've converted a Waterman Kultur into an eyedropper, and it's become my workhorse. I take notes all day long and love the huge amount of ink it carries. Next time I fill, I'll clean and re-grease.
Cheers,
Rob