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Gold On Nib Is Turning Red?


cybaea

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A beginner's question so please forgive me if it is a trivial question. The gold on the tip of the nib of my circa 1993 MB 149 is turning red; a bit like copper or bronze, perhaps. I am not sure how well this picture shows it.

 

1. What is happening?

2. Should I worry?

3. How do I clean/fix it?

 

fpn_1377349160__red-nib.jpg

 

(And those tines do look uneven, don't they? Hmmm, it writes well so I may let that rest for now.)

 

I am no longer very active on FPN but feel free to message me. Or send me a postal letter!

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soak it in water, stain will come off. The gold is not turning or coming off. The pen is fine.

Much Love--Virginia

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soak it in water, stain will come off. The gold is not turning or coming off. The pen is fine.

I do not think soaking it in water will take the red off as the " red" is tarnish. A jeweler's cloth with do the trick, but I would recommend leaving it the way it is. It is nothing to worry about.

Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.

 

—Oscar Wilde

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No worries.

 

http://www.fototime.com/0391E0B09416516/large.jpg

:puddle:

 

I want a red nib. Is this phenomenon particular to certain alloys? Is it just extensive use taking its toll, or do certain inks trigger or accelerate the process?

lightless

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I do not think soaking it in water will take the red off as the " red" is tarnish. A jeweler's cloth with do the trick, but I would recommend leaving it the way it is. It is nothing to worry about.

 

I soaked it for 2 hours and it made no change that I could see. I imagine the jeweller's cloth will work, but if it is not a problem then I will leave it.

 

I am still interested in the process that turns it red. Must be the alloys in the 18K gold that tarnishes?

I am no longer very active on FPN but feel free to message me. Or send me a postal letter!

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It also happens with 14k nibs.

I guess it's an oxidation process of a alloy metal, maybe copper.

It can easily polished away.

Edited by Pterodactylus
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I've had some 14K's tarnish red- or pinkish, usually on very good pens. I agree that it's got to be in the alloy. Just another form of tarnish. Polish it off and you're good to go.

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