Vacumatic Lubricant: What It Is?

[drop_m]

I'm going to replace the diaphragm my vacumatic had when i bought it. it's still in working condition but sometimes when i fill the pen, it.. don't know how to explain.. sticks on itself, and i don't want to trust in something which could be in the pen from decads.

Now, i've all the tools i need for the task.. the only thing i'm missing is the "vacumatic lubricant" i've read of on various sources. Can someone tells me what kind of lubricant i need? I can assume silicon grease don't fit the situation

[FarmBoy]

The lubricant referred to is used to help insert the diaphragm into the barrel and will not prevent the diaphragm from binding during use. Put some talc on the non-ink side to act as a non-sticking agent when in use.

 

Spit works well if you have no other options to get the new diaphragm installed.

[drop_m]

+1 for the completely non expansive method

[Flounder]

Firstly - hesitation in the return action doesn't necessarily mean the diaphragm is bad. I have had experiened the same in 51s with reasonably fresh diaphragms, good springs, polished retaining collar, plenty of talc on the dry side of the diaphragm, etc,

 

It happens when I've let old ink dry on the diaphragm. When in rotation, my inked 51 vacs tend to stand upright in a pen stand on my desk. If I'm negligent enough, they'll stay standing upright when the ink has run out! The small amount of leftover ink drying on the diaphragm can interfere with the ease the diaphragm folds back on itself.

 

The fix is pretty easy, fill the pen with water, and leave it standing in the stand for a couple of days. Expel the water, and the old ink comes out with it. Smooth fillings ahoy!

 

Secondly, the only alternative to spit (no thanks) I've seen mentioned as an aide to diaphragm installation is glycerine. That's what I use, basically because I won't have spit in my pens thanks. It does seem to work well.

[Sasha Royale]

Please post photographs of FPN members licking the Vac diaphram.

[kapanak]

I also have a small bottle of pure 100% glycerine that I use as vacumatic lubricant. It is cheap and readily available online.

[drop_m]

Yea,glycerin is really available.. on the other hand, spit is really available too!

Just joking, i think to have some glycerin somewhere in my house.. to be honest, i was concerned about using spit for the possibility of mold formation

Thank you everybody for the answers!

Edited August 3, 2016 by drop_m

[gweimer1]

Glycerin works. One product that is readily available is suitably named Astroglide.