How do I clean my fountain pens from the inside?

Question

I have a Cross pen and a Waterman Phileas pen, both of which don't seem to write when I put in a new ink cartridge. I think it could be because there's too much clogged ink in there. Anyone know of an easy way to clean these? I saw a tip that said to soak them in olive oil, but I'd rather not try that one because it's so hard to get oil out of anything. Or is there someone or someplace I can take the pens to to get them professionally cleaned?

Answer 1

I used to use fountain pens many years ago.  If I had trouble with ink flow, i would use warm water flow until the water came out clear.  Please keep in mind that my fountain pens were not top of the line and I could afford to throw them away if it didn't work.  Olive Oil may work, but I have the same sentiment as you do.

You might try your local arts and crafts store or hobby shop for suggestions if you don't get a confident answer here.  Good Luck.

Answer 2

Flushing the nib/section of your FP is basic maintenance that all users should know. Richard has given a very solid base of info. I disagree slightly on a few minor points, but those are more preference issues than anything else.It all bolis down to the same thing in the end. Getting the ink/sediment/wax build up out of your pen & get it flowing like it should.

".. especially if you only use ink cartridges and not cartridge converters. It's normal for old ink deposits in between the nib and feed to build up over time and eventually restrict the ink flow to a sudden halt."

This is true. It's also true that the end of a cartridge is sealed with wax or a thin plastic seal. To puncture this seal you use the end of the feed inside the section. Over time this 'scraping/puncture' can lead to a build up of wax or praticulate plastics in the end of the feed.

"I always suggest (especially when changing ink brands or colors) to flush your fountain pen's nib & feed with cold water by using a cartridge piston converter. These are relatively inexpensive and easy to find. "

Honestly you don't have to use cold water. Room temp or even slightly above is fine to use. As long as the water isn't hot enough to soften/defform the plactic ofthe section in a 10-20 minute soak. (celluloid & hard rubberfor vintage pens)

You can also go to th 'baby' dept. in any store & get one of those blue bulb syringes (..lol the baby boogie suckers). Fill it with water, put it in the backside of the section & flush it out.

"You should flush your pens every 30 days at least."

I'm in the 'as needed' club myself. To me, that seems sort of like breaking down the fuel injector before every other fill up.

"And be sure to use COLD WATER ONLY. If the clogging is extreme, then before you flush it with the converter, stand the pen up in a glass of cold water, and let the nib & feed soak for 24 hours. Be sure not to get water on other parts of the pen, just have enough water in the glass to soak the entire nib. Then after 24 hours give it a rinse under cold running water from the tap (protecting the pen body from the water with a cloth) for 10 seconds."

"Now proceed to flush out the nib and feed with the piston converter using cold water. Repeat flushing until there are no signs of clogging or old ink deposits. Be sure to let your nib and feed dry out for a few hours or use a can of air to remove all of the moisture around the nib feed and nipple before re-inking your pen."

Remember this is a phileas & a cross. Most likely a metal cross & a plastic Phileas. Theye aren't perfect ripple hard rubber pens. Just pull the sections out, lose the cart/converter. Drop them in a glass of warmish water for 10-20 minutes. flush with the bulb syringe. wrap the sections in a paper towell, shake your fist like you would for a thermometer to get all of the water out. new cartridge. give it a squeeze to flood the feed and write the great american novel.

"In some really extreme cases of clogging you can use a mixture of ammonia diluted with water to soak and flush with -- But I recommend a professional do this or if you decide to DIY then use extreme caution."

It's not a hard one to handle at all. Just a cap full of non sudsung ammonia in a cup of water. (10:1 ratio) Soak, flush, rinse. done.

"Another solution is to soak the pen in an Ultra-Sonic Machine. I have one that I use and it really does a superb job. Again extreme caution should be used with these methods as you can really ruin a fine pen if you are not careful."

Agreed. you can get a decent starter US machine for $30 or so & they do a superb job of cleaning out the nasty. IMHO, Extreme caution may be a bit over the top. Just drop the section in the water, hit the start button, wait until the cycle is done, pull it out, flush it once for good measure, dry & go.

LOL they are just pens, not shock sensative explosives. Flush, rinse, go. not hard at all.

Good luck,

Dennis Lively

Answer 3

Hello,

This is a very common problem, especially if you only use ink cartridges and not cartridge converters.  It's normal for old ink deposits in between the nib and feed to build up over time and eventually restrict the ink flow to a sudden halt. No fun.

I always suggest (especially when changing ink brands or colors) to flush your fountain pen's nib & feed with cold water by using a cartridge piston converter.  These are relatively inexpensive and easy to find.  

You should flush your pens every 30 days at least. ( I recommend it every other refill or so). And be sure to use COLD WATER ONLY.  If the clogging is extreme, then before you flush it with the converter, stand the pen up in a glass of cold water, and let the nib & feed soak for 24 hours. Be sure not to get water on other parts of the pen, just have enough water in the glass to soak the entire nib.  Then after 24 hours give it a rinse under cold running water from the tap (protecting the pen body from the water with a cloth) for 10 seconds.

Now proceed to flush out the nib and feed with the piston converter using cold water. Repeat flushing until there are no signs of clogging or old ink deposits.  Be sure to let your nib and feed dry out for a few hours or use a can of air to remove all of the moisture around the nib feed and nipple before re-inking your pen.

In some really extreme cases of clogging you can use a mixture of ammonia diluted with water to soak and flush with -- But I recommend a professional do this or if you decide to DIY then use extreme caution.  Another solution is to soak the pen in an Ultra-Sonic Machine.  I have one that I use and it really does a superb job.  Again extreme caution should be used with these methods as you can really ruin a fine pen if you are not careful.

If you would like to learn more about Caring for your Fountain Pens, you can visit my Pen Blog: http://RICHARDink.com where I have written on this subject or feel free to contact me there to answer your questions.  I hope this helps. Good Luck!

Richard