How To Clean A Noblesse Effectively? And How To Remove The Nib?

[Lilla-My]

Hi,

 

So I have a Montblanc Noblesse of the first generation (image of section here), I would like to know if it’s safe to soak the section, nib and feed in water altogether, for 24 hours. Since I don’t really know how it’s inside, I just want to be sure there are no parts that can rust or retain permanently some water.

 

Furthermore, it seems a bit difficult to clean the feed and the nib effectively with just a bulb syringe; it’s as the water can take multiple paths but never the most important one. Of course, when using the bulb syringe, I turn the section in every direction possible, but the paper towel always pumps a bit more ink up.

So, for this reason and also because I would like to be able to change the nib if I happen to get other nib sizes, I would like to know how to disassemble the nib and the feed.

How to do it? Is it easy and safe? Or is it too fragile?

 

Thanks

[Studio97]

I have one. I rinse it in running tap water for a minute or so, then blot out discolored water into a paper towel. That's all I have done with mine for years. No problems.

[Lilla-My]

Thank you for your answer, it decided me to try tap water, despite the fact that it’s some hard water where I am.

 

It’s a lot easier and a lot more water than the demineralized water I can get, for sure.

So I rinsed two minutes under lukewarm water, dried it a bit, rinsed with some demineralized water, then dried it again with a paper towel to pump up ink residues.

I did all this 3 or 4 times, then I soaked it during more than 12 hours.

Now, I just used the paper towel again: it absorbs a lot of water, but then at the end I still get some green water – originally some Montblanc Irish Green.

 

If I want to clean it so thoroughly, it’s because I got some flow issue after letting my Noblesse inked with the Irish Green ink for several weeks without using it. I had to push some ink with the converter, but it was still too dry to write decently.

And I don’t know what ink, if any, has already been inside before I bought it.

 

I wished I knew how to remove the nib.

[Uncial]

Use a pen flush. Pulling nibs should be a last resort in my opinion.

[SpecTP]

the section and nib is a friction fit, but you should not have to take it apart. If you do, you'll need to heat the feed in hot water when putting it back together. I'd suggest, just using the bulb and flushing the section or stick the whole section in an ultrasonic cleaner

[Lilla-My]

Thanks for your answer Uncial.

I have a pen flush (the Goulet one), but I read that it can be bad for some plastics; I have, of course, absolutely no idea of what the plastics are in the Noblesse section. Should I try it with just a rapid flush or a long soak?

 

Thanks for your answer SpecTP.

I thought of an ultrasonic cleaner, I guess I’ll need to buy one sooner or later. I understand it’s the wiser choice.

I think I’ll wait before trying to remove the nib; I really wanted to know out of curiosity. So as I understand, I can pull without having to warm anything, it’s only when putting in back. Is it so because the feed is more malleable then?

[txomsy]

In the past I have soaked sections for over 24 h with no major issue, at least on a Noblesse. I would soak it in, then wait a few hours until the water was died, substitute the water and repeat. When it didn't get stained quickly I would leave it overnight.

 

That I would do before switching inks or after ink had dried. I no longer do, I now find that a simple flush under running tap water is often enough. When I want to change inks I usually keep flushing until the water runs through the section clean, then carefully shake it to check if ink remains and if so, flush some more. Rarely do I need a 24h soak to clean a section.

 

I changed methods after a cheap Baoer section showed signs of damage to the "enamel" covering the section in the form of minor bubbles. Never had it happen to not so cheap pens or plastic section pens. But I prefer to be cautious.

 

And of course I wouldn't do it to ebonite/hard rubber parts.

 

Any way, congrats for owning such a fine pen. It'll last a lifetime.

[SpecTP]

Thanks for your answer Uncial.

I have a pen flush (the Goulet one), but I read that it can be bad for some plastics; I have, of course, absolutely no idea of what the plastics are in the Noblesse section. Should I try it with just a rapid flush or a long soak?

 

Thanks for your answer SpecTP.

I thought of an ultrasonic cleaner, I guess I’ll need to buy one sooner or later. I understand it’s the wiser choice.

I think I’ll wait before trying to remove the nib; I really wanted to know out of curiosity. So as I understand, I can pull without having to warm anything, it’s only when putting in back. Is it so because the feed is more malleable then?

 

I've not had any issue just using and bulb to flush the section or putting the whole thing in an ultrasonic cleaner or even soaking for a few hours.

 

The reason for heating the feed to press it back into the nib is to make sure it mates tightly. When you pull the nib from the feed, the feed may no longer have a tight fit after cleaning.

[Time-Traveller]

I have let my Noblesse stand in a glass of water for a whole day (I had forgotten it was there, to be quite honest), then cleaned it with paper towel, holding the nib in the towel while I blew through the section, and the job was done.

 

If the ink that dried up in yours is a tougher one to remove, you could also consider using Rohrer & Klingner's FP cleaning fluid: https://www.seitz-kreuznach.de/en/office/ink/bottled-ink/rohrer-klingner-cleaner-for-fountain-pens-45ml/a-403001474/ I have read in several places that it cleans away very stubborn ink residues.

 

A household trick is to use water in which a bit of vitamin C (available in drug stores) has been dissolved.

[Lilla-My]

Thank you all for your help.

Since my last message, I used some ina-ho ink for a few days: I had no problem (at least colour-wise). I then cleaned my Noblesse, the iroshizuku ink was easier to clean; I used a paper towel until no colouration was visible on it. I then flushed it with water one last time to be sure: again no colouration, just water, water, water … and suddenly, lo and behold, some Irish Green!

 

At Time-traveller:

 

This Rohrer & Klingner Cleaner seems interesting, but curiously I saw no indication on the ingredients. I understand it’s supposed to be used inside the pen and that it’s very gentle on plastic parts. However I wonder how it compares to other pen flushes on the safety side.

I’ll buy some anyway, thanks.

[jmccarty3]

I cleaned a long-encrusted Noblesse for a friend. The only thing that dislodged the dried ink was an ultrasonic cleaner. Glad I went to the trouble, though, because the nib is superb.