I have a Cross Verve Selenium Blue FP that I purchased recently. It seems to collect oily fingerprint spots, unlike any other pen. I have a Waterman Carene with a similar finish, without the same problem.

1. Any suggestions on cleaning? So far the only thing that works has been Windex on a cloth, and then rubbing the pen. Just dry rubbing with a shirt (usually handy, since I wear them) doesn't work.
2. The pen's kind of a very slow starter -- enough that I have to get it started on a scrap. After that, I'm usually OK. I have it loaded with Noodler's Lexington Gray. Any suggestions?
3. Should I try cleaning with the 2-3 drops of detergent in water, or the 10% ammonia trick I've read about? I haven't been able to figure out if that means sudsy ammonia, or the non-sudsing type

Thanks in advance,
Alan

I am using Waterman's Florida Blue, with great results. I also have good luck with Private Reserve Velvet Black. Both of these were recommendations from Glenn's Pen Page. Steve

I have the answer. I am on my third day with my Selenium Blue. It was much paler than the pictures and I didn't think it was all that beautiful. Today, it is a nice dark blue. You have to embrace the fingerprints. I "polished" the pen with my fingertips and it is really quite lovely. Sounds crazy, but try it. Steve

If that sounds gross, remember that it works for pearls and ivory. If you are grossed out by fingerprints, perhaps you convince a female friend to wear it as a pendent for a while.

Thanks. I'd pretty much resigned myself to the fingerprints.

I'll play around with some different inks to see if affects the slow starting.
For instant startup, I always reach for one of:

• Namiki Falcon (even if it's been standing up for a couple of weeks unused)
• Sailor 1911m
• Pilot (Namiki) Decimo Vanishing Point
• Pelikan 400 or bigger

Of course, your mileage may vary.

Okay, I have another suggestion: Renaissance Wax. Normally I use it to protect and polish coins. I tried it on the Selenium Blue, and it doesn't seem to show fingerprints now. Steve