How To Prepare New Pen For Writing?

[Jorste]

Hi

 

I ordered my first FP a couple of days a go, a Parker 45, and i expect it to arrive any day now. :clap1:

 

However, Im not too sure about how to prepare it for it's first use? Do i have to do anything with the nib, or just stick in the cartridge and get it going?

 

- (Should i also mention that i'm going to be using cartridges?)

 

Hoping to get some helpful answers here

 

- Jørgen

Edited January 26, 2011 by Jorste

[PianoMan14]

Flush it with soapy water to get rid of any manufacturing oils, and let it dry. Then, have fun!

 

Edit: You should also put ink in it :-)

Edited January 26, 2011 by PianoMan14

[Guest Subvet642]

In my experience, 45s have been pretty dependable right out of the box.

[cmeisenzahl]

I've always just rinsed well, never had to use soap.

[mholve]

Some people like to flush with water, some with soapy water before that. And of course, some (such as myself) get impatient and just ink it up right away and only flush if there are problems (e.g. skipping). There's no real right or wrong way.

 

Whatever you do... Enjoy!

[pelman]

I have usually just inked up the pen and gone for it. No patience for rinse dry etc...

[handwriter]

Same as the two last ones, only rinse/soapy water if there is any problem, which was rarely the case

[D.C. in PA]

If the pen is new I always fill several timse with a mixture of 10 parts water to 1 part ammonia, with a few drops of Dawn dishwashing detergent per quart (no affiliation with Dawn's manufacturer's, just following a recommendation from R. Binder, who is responsible for this formula). This is followed by several rinses with clear water. The ammonia cuts mold release chemicals and the dish detergent removes oils. Without this process sometimes the ink's surface tension will not allow it to flow from barrel or converter. This also helps with many feeds.

Vintage or used pens usually get the water flush (surprising how often there's ink left in there).

D.C.

[razr]

I have usually just inked up the pen and gone for it. No patience for rinse dry etc...

 

Me too If I had ink at the front door I would ink up there as soon as I took it from the UPS/Fed-Ex driver :roflmho:

[Mox]

Coincidentally, I bought a Parker 45 a couple of months ago. Inked it without any pre prepping. The pen laid a nice wet line off the bat. Perfect. I've had some other pens which struggled and in those I have followed Richard Binder's recommendation of repeated flushing with a mixture of 1 part of household ammonia and 10 parts of water. That set those pens right. Good luck.

[Belfaborac]

Would a 1/5 mixture of denatured alcohol and water work, or might the alcohol damage the rubber/ebonite? It's what I use to clean LPs, so I always have a few litres of the stuff in a cupboard somewhere.

Edited January 27, 2011 by Belfaborac

[Shangas]

Annoint thyself with ink of choice. Bow to the east three times with the pen nib pointing towards the sun and read the holy scriptures of Care and Feeding. Thereafter, bathe thy instrument in water warm with soap unscented and dry thoroughly with a towel of Egyptian cotton.

[Sagar_C]

Ink the pen first. Then, if there is a problem, rinse it with the soapy water.

 

+1

[pelman]

Would a 1/5 mixture of denatured alcohol and water work, or might the alcohol damage the rubber/ebonite? It's what I use to clean LPs, so I always have a few litres of the stuff in a cupboard somewhere.

I don't think alcohol is a good idea with plastics or celluloid. I think Richard binder discusses use of alcohol on his site.

[mholve]

I wouldn't involve anything more harsh than a few drops of dishsoap or ammonia. For one thing, you don't want to strip the silicone lube from pistons, converters and sections (compromising your seals). Chemicals can also interact badly with various materials and finishes and dry out things like sacs over time.

 

Unless you put something bad in your pen (e.g. india ink) you normally should never need more than water (or the aforementioned soap/ammonia).

[Dutchpen]

i always ink it immediately.

i flush it with cold water if there are problems like skipping.