Cleaning Cap - Visconti Rembrandt

[sandy101]

The magnet on the inner cap of my Visconti Rembrant is attracting dirt like no business. There's a find ring of dust particles that accumulate around the magnet - and sometimes this results in the dust falling on the page as I write. I've given it a clean with a feqw cotton buds, but the stuff is rather persistent, and I don't want to use water as I'm sure that will encourage rust. Has anyone come up with a solution to this? I'm thinking maybe using the opposite poll of a magnet to see it that will cause some repellant action.

 

Does anyone have any other thoughts?

[Ed_Usinowicz]

sandy101,

 

Whenever I need to clean something in a confined space I use a Q-Tip (cotton swab on the end of a rolled paper stick) dipped in isopropyl alcohol and then rolled on a paper towel to absorb the excess. Gently wipe the affected area. This may take a few iterations using a new Q-Tip each time. I find isopropyl alcohol to be fairly benign with regard to resins and plastics. As with anything I would always test an inconspicuous spot on the inside of the cap for compatibility. I offer this advice for modern pens only as I have no experience using isopropyl alcohol on vintage celluloid. Bear in mind that even water can discolor vintage hard rubber. Avoid like the plague using acetone, as it will melt your beautiful Visconti. May I also recommend finding a way to prevent the dust from collecting in the first place. As with all of our beautiful fountain pens, tread lightly.

 

Ed

[Ed_Usinowicz]

Hi, it's me again. I failed to mention that it's ok to use a Q-Tip slightly dampened with distilled water. Don't use tap water because it tends to contain minerals. Go over it again with a dry Q-Tip to wick out any remaining water and let the cap air dry over night before recapping. So long as it doesn't remain wet it will not corrode. Always start least invasive first.

 

Ed

Edited October 19, 2017 by Ed_Usinowicz

[sandy101]

Yes, I started with a dry q-tip and it removes some, but not a lot. I live next to a busy road, and so I suspect the dust is metallic particles from exhausts that is being attracted to the magnets - so th ebest way to avoid this would be moving out to the countryside - which would nbe nice, but not affordable.