Greetings All,

Many of you have made mention of cleaning your pens, and I have found some really clean pens out there in the marketplace. But how, and with what do you clean a fountain pen?

More specifically:

Some folks are able to reduce greatly the ink staining the translucent parts of Parker Vacumatics and Duofolds or other ink visible pens. What do you use? What process do you use?

Some folks are able to remove the ink stains that inevitably finds its way into the barrel threads just above the section. One sees this in light colored pens or in the Parker Duofold Big Red as an example. What do you use? What process do you use?

I ask these question because I have several really nice older pens that have exactly those problems and I want to clean them up for my collection. To date, all I have been using is cold water and patience. But this doesn't get rid of the stains and I now need to get more agressive. However, I am concerned because these are valuable pens that I do not want to destroy.

All of your suggestions will be welcomed.

Thanks,
Ink2 pen

I will go on record as stating that for some ink stained plastic, there is no solution. If anyone knows of an answer, it would be greatly appreciated. When I run across this situation, I do my best to insure that I have removed any superficial discoloration. I wash with soap and water and polish both inside and out. After that, I believe the discoloration that remains is too deep within the plastic to get at. Red ink is the worst at staining, but I have seen this with other colors as well.

I know the stained thread areas, as well as other places can be unsightly, nonetheless the stain might be impossible to remove without possible damage to the pen. There might be a solution to the problem out there, but so far no one has ever come forward with it. Maybe your inquiry will rouse someone to shed some light. Good luck.

In the past I have used a silver cleaning cloth (you can find them in Antique shops) with good results. To get good results, however, be prepared to rub the affected area for a few hours.
Cheers

Ink2Pen,

Digging further I found a couple of articles from Mr. Binders website that address the issue of ink staining, especially visualated pens. The following links help best explain ink stains & how to best address:

http://www.richardspens.com/?page=ref_txt.htm

"Restoration: What & Why" & "Care & Feeding: How to Pamper Your Pens"

Please report back any progress with your pens. Thanks.

Thank you, Montague and RussA, for your suggestions.

I have used a jeweler's cloth for cleaning the gold parts and nibs for fountain pens -- on the nibs I always finish this with a quick ultrasonic bath -- with excellent results.

After reading the articles on Richard Binder's site, I was surprised to notice that he recommended the use of "409" for cleaning pen sections -- but soak for 10-minutes only -- and a 10-t- one solution of water to ammonia -- again with a soak of ten-minutes only.

I have been hesitant to used such aggressive chemicls, but I guess when in need pull out all the stops. I haven't been able to try these "solutions" yet, but will give it a go this weekend. I am particularly interested to see how the pens with transparent areas clean.

Thanks again!
Ink2pen

Check out the "Fountain Pen Repair Dont's" from David Nashimura before you try the 409 - for another viewpoint.

http://www.vintagepens.com/pen_repair_donts.htm

J. Appleseed

Well, J. Appleseed, that was an eye opener. Thanks for directing me to David Nashimura's site.

Now that I know not to use 409 or an ammonia mixture, what might you suggest? He says to use soapy water, but what type of soap?

Since my initial question was based on my cleaning Parker Vacumatic pens with the see-through layers, what can one safely use to lessen the discoloration of those clear layers?

I also have a small collection of the Parker red rubber Duofold pens and pencils that lead to my initial query. The really show the ink staining in the threads. I certainly do not want to discolor them for the sake of cleaning.

The more I read the more confused I am.

Regards,

Ink2pen

The clear layers on Vacumatics are discolored because the clear plastic has ambered. This condition is a color change of the plastic and cannot be reversed. The fact that you see some Vacs with clear barrels and some not so good is just a matter of how well they have aged.

Some pens are just gonna be user grade and we clean the best we can. There is no one perfect method for cleaning pens, just try do as little harm a possible... which seems to be your practice.

Thanks.