I have a mont blanc 146, I have been using the same ink since aurora blue since I bought it from another member on the fp network. Now I would like to use some private reserve chocolate. I was wondering is there anything special I should do to flush the pen. I only flushed my parker which is a cartridge style pen. How would you go about flushing some deep aurora blue from my pen.

Hi Aermanakadino:

Just flush with COLD water (never flush with hot water) several times until the water flows clear from the pen, and be sure the pen is dry before reloading with the new ink, To dry it, follow two steps: first, dry the nib with a tissue, and 2nd: write in a disposable paper, it should flow only water until does not flow anything, then reload.

Hope helps,
Julio

Psst!... cool water, not ice water....

Colder water really? I was using warm water on mine.. for some reason I thought the warmer the water the better since it will dissolve any dried up residue or something..

May I ask why you suggest cold(er) water?

Hot water can damage the plastic (because of expansion) and sealant that keeps the ink in (if the water is very hot). Best to keep it cool or at most mildly lukewarm. Cold water will still dissolve dried ink.

You have to fill it with water and empty it about 20 times to get all the old ink and ink residue out.

Before doing the 20 fillings and emtpyings, I usually empty out any remaining ink and stick the pen in a glass with just enough water to cover the nib, and leave it overnight. This loosens the ink in the channels of the feed.

Thanks guys, but does so much filling and emptying the pen not harm it eventually? I mean, overuse of the system up to 20 times each cleaning and that is apart from the times when you would be filling it normally with ink to use?

Hi Pravda:

If you don't want to "overuse" your system (I think they are done for that) just flush once and load a little amount (two or three drops are OK) of the new ink. At the beginning you will write with a funny mixed color, but before this load is over you may have the new color wanted. As you write with the mix, the drops in the system, up an down, may remove all the residues.

Regards,
Julio

Hi Julio thanks for the reply.. I actually had in mind times when you are going to be using the same ink, but as everyone suggests that every month or so you should flush your pen with water and they say until the water that comes out of it is clear- but then that would take 10-20 flushes- which don't make sense if i am going to be putting the same color/ink back in it again..

I guess my question in that situation would be if I have to thoroughly clean it to that extent in that case or is just a few flushes in that stance good enough?

Thanks

Hi,

Just a note of caution. MB piston fillers can get the piston rod sheared easily if the piston is not lubricated well. If you feel that it is getting stiff, I recommend that you send it to a competent repair person to lubricate.

Dillon

Hi Pravda:

I never flush my pens (I think they are made for just reloading as a normal way of use), only sometimes when time to change color of ink.

I have had a MB Meisterstruck 1810 for nearly 30 years, it has been loaded of ink with no writing use for as long as 7 years, I take it and always writes perfetct. But I think MBs are not the same as they used to be. Really I have not bought an MB for more than 15 years (that is another topic...)

Other times only load with new ink, some lines with a funny mix, but before the load is finished I have the new color. Depends on the colors of inks. I think PR Chocolate is dark and saturated enough to just load with it, and have a beautiful chocolate writing after some lines.

Regards,
Julio

Flushing the pen a few times with water when changing colors or after a few fillings shouldn't wear the piston out prematurely. I've done it with MB's and with other piston-fillers. My 149 has needed a new piston seal twice in 30 years.