I went to use my Delta Julius Caesar (c/c filler) and found the nib crusted with white hairy looking film which I am presuming is mold from an ink. I had not logged the ink, but from the color it was blue and I am not sure which blue, I am checking the bottles to apply Sterilink which I had recently purchased from Tryphon. Need advice on what to do with the nib. Thus far I have done a water rinse with a eye dropper. I have heard next is ammonia or similar. Please advise. Thanks.

Make up some ammonia solution (one part commercial ammonia solution to nine parts water) and fill the pen with it. Let it sit overnight, then flush well with fresh solution.

Use the pen only with ink treated with SterileInk for a while, as you can contaminate the ink bottle with mold spores. SterileInk in the bottle will prevent fuzzy stuff from growing.

If it still grows fuzz after cleaning with ammonia, you might try a dilute solution of bleach (one teaspoon in a quart of water), Fill and let it soak for 10 min or so, then flush very well with water. This may stain or bleach the feed and section, so I would only try it if nothing else works. Will probably also damage any rubber parts, too, and corrode steel and brass, so use with caution. It will kill off any mold, but you have to balance that against damage to the pen.

If you have access to some OLD Parker or Sheaffer inks, they were often preserved with phenol or formaldehyde (or both) and will kill off anything in the pen with a couple fills. Modern inks aren't so powerful, alas.

Peter

Ammonia and bleach will not do the job. I suggest you read my article "Ick! What Is That Stuff?"

So... if i have a moldy pen, but do not have the appropriate biocide and ultrasonic cleaner, i should.... gulp.. . Toss the pen Man, i hope that never happens....

No, you should have it dealt with by someone who knows how to handle the problem.

As I did initiate this post due to the problem and I do defer to the experts, I have had this problem before with some FP's that weren't as valuable and/or cherished as my Julius Caesar; I did treat those with an ammonia mix and/or a 409 mix and the mold has never come back and the pens are normal today. The last one was an Aurora Optima in 2007. I am hoping that the Caesar will be lucky as I know that Mr. Binder's service is top notch but due to his expertise the wait can be timely in turn around, all fully understandable and expected.

Wow... I had no idea's that a pen collection can get an infection. That must be a pain to disinfect.