Gentlemen !

I've been using a Pelikan M200 for a couple of years now. It is an excellent pen, a high quality product and value for money and the goldplated F-size nib lays down ink like a dream. However, recently the piston mechanism seems to be moving a lot less smoothly than before. Is it normal for a Pelikan to be in need of lubrication after just two, three years ? And when you lube the piston mechanism, how do you do ? What kind of lubricant should I use ? Where do I buy it ? How do I apply it ? And how much of the lubricant is necessary ?

With kindest regards,

Undersköterskan

I've yet to lubricate a Pelikan piston but had to lubricate a Lamy 2000. You need Pure Silicon Grease. Unscrew the nib and use a flat toothpick and a very very tiny bit of lubricant. Run the piston in and out a few times and if you're happy then stop, if not try a very tiny bit more. I think you can get it at hobby stores but am sure Trypon has it. A tiny container will last forever.

I also bought some silicone grease for a 2000, and liked the result so much that I greased up my Pelikan too. I got it at a local dive (scuba) shop, two bucks for a tiny plastic container full.

If you change inks often or flush with detergent/water mix often, you may end up having to lubricate more often. 2-3 years isn't bad. Most of my Pels are still running in factory lubrication but a couple of the older ones (8 years?) have been lubricated 2 or 3 times. Those pens probably got major cleanings though which required replenishing the silicone grease.

Is it possible to [re]lubricate a Pelikan Go! (M75) piston? If so, how is it done? I have a couple, and one of them is difficult to fill because the piston is not moving smoothly and/or through its entire range of motion.

I've yet to lubricate any Pelikan, but ever since I started to use Parker Quink i swear that the slightly stiff piston in one of them became as smooth as butter. I think there might be something in the Quink that lubricates.

Supposedly the Solv-X ingredient in Quink does a number of things including cleaning the pens and probably lubrication goes along with that. I use Quink in most of my pens as a standard ink. There's a few that have other inks, but Quink is my favorite.

-Zac

Funny you should ask. I just now finished putting silicone grease, for the first time, on a Pelikan whose piston had stopped moving freely. The pen is around 25 years old and had not been inked in maybe 5 years. The local hardware store gives cash back certificates every so often and I got the grease from there for free with the coupon. I put it in with a dissecting needle.

This is very interesting. Is it perhaps possible to use a Pelikan with Parker Quink or Waterman Blue-Black (which supposedly also includes ingredients that lubricates) and have a working pen for years on end with no need for silicon-lubrication ? It's a very appealing thought. Nevertheless, I've bought a tiny tube with silicon grease (intended for underwater camera-houses) so now I can finally lube my Pelikans.

Regards,
Undersköterskan