Cleaning waterproof ink

[tomsawyer]

I'd like to try some waterproof inks, but I'd wondering how waterproof they are. If I get ink on my clothes will it wash off? What about on my hands or in the sink?

[farseer911]

I'd like to try some waterproof inks, but I'd wondering how waterproof they are. If I get ink on my clothes will it wash off? What about on my hands or in the sink?

 

 

Check out this little test I did CLICK ME

 

I use a lot of bullet proof, and black normally stick around on skin for 2-3 days (if I do not get to it right away and it dries in) on clothes forever and laminate surfaces- forever (if it dries a bit). However I find if I use a car wax on my desk at work from time to time, ink wipes right off even after sitting a few minutes.

Edited March 31, 2010 by farseer911

[tomsawyer]

That's not comforting at all. I don't think I can use fountain pens without getting ink on myself at least occasionally. I'll probably ruin a lot of shirts with bulletproof ink, so I don't think I'll use them.

 

Thanks for the quick response.

[Viseguy]

I can only speak to Noodler's bulletproof inks, with which I have several years' experience. The dyes in those inks bind with cellulose, as in paper, but also as in cotton. The hopelessness of any attempt to remove a Noodler's bulletproof ink from a cotton shirt, tablecloth, or sheet has been demonstrated many times in this forum. In a word (or three), don't even try.

 

On the other hand, materials that are cellulose-free, such as human skin, synthetic countertops, and porcelain sinks, fare quite well with bulletproof inks, in my experience. I've never had a finger stay ink-stained for more than a few hours, at most. And though I've doused bathroom and kitchen countertops with bulletproof inks countless times, the result has never been a permanent stain. Ditto, when these inks are spilled onto the bathroom sink.

 

Oh, and they wash right out of pens, too.

 

Edited to add: I just saw farseer911's reply. Strange. Not my experience at all.

Edited March 31, 2010 by Viseguy

[tomsawyer]

Sounds like the only safe way to fill a pen with this ink would be to stand in the bath and fill it while naked.

 

Well, is there any ink that's semi-permanent? Ink from a ball point pen won't wash away as easily as standard FP ink, but it'll wash off clothes. I know the same ink couldn't be used because it's oil-based, but isn't there something similar for FPs?

[gross]

Yes, in my many years of using fountain pens I've ruined a shirt or two. But not with bulletproof ink. I've also decorated a white dish towel with the most peculiar blotches of red. Again, not a bulletproof ink. I've also gone about with fountain pen ink stained fingers for a day or two. Again, not a bulletproof ink. All this truthfully stated, I can honestly say that most of the time the ink comes out if I don't wait too long to start the cleaning process.

 

I have found that when it is time to fill my fountain pens, I prepare my desk for the worst ink disaster to ever occur on earth. Paper towels in abundance, inks to be used a lined, the pen to be filled next to the ink it is to be filled with and everything not having to do with fountain pen filling removed from harm's way. Thus prepared, I rarely even have a minor ink spill. If there is a spill, bulletproof ink or not, I attack it immediately and there is no problem. A bar of Lava hand soap (first choice) or some powdered Boraxo at the bathroom sink quickly removes ink from fingers. A bit of Gojo hand cleaner in the garage for a really stubborn bit of ink on the fingers (read: some I didn't notice until quite a bit later).

 

Now once the ink is in the pen, treat the pen with respect and the ink will only come out when and where you want it to. If the pen is prone to leak, don't put ink in it and put it in your shirt pocket until you have repaired it.

 

I only use two bulletproof inks, both Noodlers. I can honestly say that I have never had a problem with either one. Treat your inks with respect and don't fear them. It is the only way to truly enjoy using them.

[wallylynn]

Sounds like the only safe way to fill a pen with this ink would be to stand in the bath and fill it while naked.

 

Well, is there any ink that's semi-permanent? Ink from a ball point pen won't wash away as easily as standard FP ink, but it'll wash off clothes. I know the same ink couldn't be used because it's oil-based, but isn't there something similar for FPs?

Doing that means you'll just have ink all over your entire body instead of just your fingers...

 

On a more helpful note: check out the ink scans section. Here's a recent post to get you started:

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/142471-test-of-14-blue-black-and-blue-black-inks/

 

Lots of inks exhibit water resistance. I like Lamy bottled blue-black myself. Both for the permanence and the bottle. Lamy blue is washable. Maybe you can practice with that first. Then you'll have a good bottle for the bulletproofs.

[Zarble44]

The Noodler's bulletproof inks all seem to wash off skin with just soap and water practically no rubbing required. Clothing - well that's pretty much done for. Except for colors like Baystate Blue, they don't even stain the porcelain sinks.

[GreenVelvet]

I concur with most of the posters to this thread: Noodler's bulletproof inks wash off my hands easily and immediately. I mean, I DO use soap, but it's never stuck around more than a few hours. I fill pens at my metal sink, and they never stain the sink. I don't know if they stain the countertops - as soon as I see a droplet (usually from bubbles on the top of the bottle bursting when I open it) I wipe it up immediately, and it doesn't leave a stain.

 

Fortunately, I've never gotten any bulletproof ink on my clothes...!

 

I've also had pens "burp" a drop of ink onto my wooden dining room table, and it's wiped right up there, too.

[haziz]

I'd like to try some waterproof inks, but I'd wondering how waterproof they are. If I get ink on my clothes will it wash off? What about on my hands or in the sink?

 

Waterman, Sheaffer Skrip or Pelikan inks and be happy. Why bother with anything else?

[Goodwhiskers]

. . . .

Well, is there any ink that's semi-permanent? Ink from a ball point pen won't wash away as easily as standard FP ink, but it'll wash off clothes. I know the same ink couldn't be used because it's oil-based, but isn't there something similar for FPs?

 

Sure!

 

Sheaffer Skrip Black resists a few minutes of soaking in plain water and does not resist detergents and stain removers.

 

The following four inks resist plain water very strongly (long soaks) but not detergents and stain removers:

Platinum Blue-Black (which is medium-dark blue)

Platinum Black

Pilot/Namiki Blue (same ink, different bottles and prices, but the Namiki is only a little bit more)

Pilot Blue-Black (no Namiki bottle for this color)

[tomsawyer]

Thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for. I lost half a page of notes the other day because I turned to my notebook after washing my hands. I just need something that's mildly/moderately water resistant.