My parents recently moved and i stumbled across my dads old parker 21, i was interested in filling it to try to write with it. My question is do I have to remove the hood covering the nib before dipping the pen in ink or will that make the feed out of adjustment, do I unscrew the the section from the pen first.?

The hood is a "permanent" part of the pen and shouldn't come off except for repairs. In fact, there's sealer on the threads, so if you try to unscrew it, you'll break it.

If you unscrew the barrel, you'll find a flexible, clear plastic ink sac, about half-covered by a sheet-metal "guard". Looping up and over the sac is a springy metal bar.

To fill the pen, immerse the pen's point in ink, then press and release the bar. This will compress and release the sac, allowing it to squeeze out air and suck up ink. Do this until it seems full, allowing a second on each release for the sac to draw in ink. Then wipe off the pen's tip. If you look at the metal "guard", you'll see pretty much the instructions above stamped into it, with the advise to squeeze e.g. 4 times.

(Fun facts: this is an "aerometric" filling system, and Parker called the flexible plastic "Ply-glass".)

BUT: Before you fill the pen with new ink, you should flush out any old ink. Do the filling procedure with water that has a little dish detergent or 409 in it, until the solution comes out clear. Then cycle plenty of plain (preferably distilled) water through the pen. Before you fill the pen with ink, you can *gently* shake it down to help get out any excess water.

And, from a newbie: welcome to the board, newbie !

Never, Ever, use 409 for cleaning a pen. You also do not need to use dishwashing detergent to clean a pen.
Keep filling and emptying the pen with cool water until it runs clean. Because of the design of the collector this can take a while. Then wrap the hood and nib in paper towel and shake it to clear as much of the remaining water out as possible.
Using dishwashing detergent for cleaning a pen can leave residue in the sac that will change the way the ink writes... usually making it a much more wet flowing ink that will most likely feather on the paper.

Spanky-

Welcome aboard! I've been at this pen thing less than year and find it a compelling hobby. But if you just use us to get your dad's pen working, then put it back in the drawer, that's cool too.

A Parker 21 is a fine pen to start with. You might try soaking the pen and cap overnight in cool water. Once you get the barrel off (not the cone, which encloses the nib)and observe what Tweel said about the construction, you'll find that pens are essentially easy to understand and use. This ain't rocket science (I know this because even this old liberal arts major got his mind around it!) Be gentle, but Parkers were made to be maintained by the owner. Just don't use pliers to unscrew the barrel!

A word about what ink to use. Only fountain pen ink is appropriate. Do NOT use India ink, drawing ink or ink pad ink. Any of these could be lying around the house or easy to buy, but stay away from them. They will clog and perhaps ruin your dad's nice old pen. Buy fresh ink. If you don't have a local stationary shop or perhaps an art supply store, then go to Office Depot or Staples and get a bottle, not cartridges. My local Office Depot carries black Parker Quink, Sheaffer Scrip and Cross bottled ink. All are fine.

If you can't find bottled ink locally, you may have to go on the internet. I got my first at pendemonium.com. Pear Tree Pen, Bertram's Inkwell and Swisher pens come to mind. There are many more internet sources.

If you have a digital camera, post a photo of the 21 here.
Good luck!

Jack

Hi, thanks to everyone for responding, i just have one more question, am i supposed to dip the plastic hood in the ink also, or just the nib, will i stain the plastic if i get ink on it. thanks again.

Dip it in so that the hole through which the nib protrudes, is submerged in ink. On a 21 this is about 1/2" from the tip of the nib.

Squeeze the hoop a few times, noticing the air bubbles. Allow it to remain submerged in the ink for a few moments, then withdraw.
Have a tissue, paper towel or napkin nearby and gently wipe off the ink which may have beaded up on the outside of the hood. Fountain pen ink won't stain if it is wiped off in this manner.

Then get writing!