I lubricated the piston of my M205 Custom today

[pitonyak]

I purchased my first Pelikan pen, an EF Classic M205 Demonstrator Special Edition, around September 2019. In 2019, The Central Ohio Pen Club created two custom inks and I loaded my pen with "Park of Roses", a rather interesting red ink. Normally I do not care for red ink, but I found this interesting. 

 

When the Covid lockdown hit, that particular pen was set aside and forgotten until a few days ago. I should have cleaned it before putting it away. Bad me. So, after soaking (and similar steps), the plunger is really tight. So tight, it is almost unusable. That was very scary to me. I am not a "take my pen apart" kind of guy. I am usually pretty handy, but, this is an expensive pen (in my mind) and I really like it, and I did not want to mess it up. 

 

I managed to find these links:

https://thepelikansperch.com/2014/08/30/how-to-lubricate-a-pelikan-piston/

https://thepelikansperch.com/database/frequently-asked-questions/

https://thepelikansperch.com/2014/11/22/changing-pelikan-nib/

 

I had the silicon, but I have to admit that I was apprehensive about unscrewing that nib. Although I expected a fight, that nib twisted right out with almost no resistance. I put just a wee bit of silicon on a toothpick; frankly, I expected it was too little and would have no effect. I then carefully put it as close to the plunger as I could. 

 

All said and done, that was really easy and the plunger now is very smooth. 

 

I Loaded it with a Pelikan ink, Tanzanite. Will see how it goes. 

 

[debraji]

Well done! Pelikan engineering + a little TLC = back in business.

[N1003U]

2 hours ago, pitonyak said:

I purchased my first Pelikan pen, an EF Classic M205 Demonstrator Special Edition, around September 2019. In 2019, The Central Ohio Pen Club created two custom inks and I loaded my pen with "Park of Roses", a rather interesting red ink. Normally I do not care for red ink, but I found this interesting. 

 

When the Covid lockdown hit, that particular pen was set aside and forgotten until a few days ago. I should have cleaned it before putting it away. Bad me. So, after soaking (and similar steps), the plunger is really tight. So tight, it is almost unusable. That was very scary to me. I am not a "take my pen apart" kind of guy. I am usually pretty handy, but, this is an expensive pen (in my mind) and I really like it, and I did not want to mess it up. 

 

I managed to find these links:

https://thepelikansperch.com/2014/08/30/how-to-lubricate-a-pelikan-piston/

https://thepelikansperch.com/database/frequently-asked-questions/

https://thepelikansperch.com/2014/11/22/changing-pelikan-nib/

 

I had the silicon, but I have to admit that I was apprehensive about unscrewing that nib. Although I expected a fight, that nib twisted right out with almost no resistance. I put just a wee bit of silicon on a toothpick; frankly, I expected it was too little and would have no effect. I then carefully put it as close to the plunger as I could. 

 

All said and done, that was really easy and the plunger now is very smooth. 

 

I Loaded it with a Pelikan ink, Tanzanite. Will see how it goes. 

 

Welcome to the club of Pelikan owners! It is not a particularly elite club, but your experience is one to which many Pelikan owners here, I am sure, can relate. Well done with the lubrication!

 

I recently bought a brand new M600 from a reputable dealer, and upon receipt, I noticed that the piston was somewhat stiff. The first thing I did was to give the pen a good cleaning, only to find out that not only had the pen been inked, it was not cleaned before being re-boxed. Yes, I was a bit miffed, but I chalked it up to a one-time error on the part of the vendor and left it at that.

 

So after a good cleaning, I re-lubed the piston, using the same toothpick method, and it does work splendidly. The piston function is now smooth and reliable.

 

Edelstein Tanzanite is, IME pretty tame. I kept it in a 2012 M200 Demonstrator for well over a year (just refills, no cleaning in-between), and the ink cleaned out wonderfully (getting any ink out from under the lip of the section notwithstanding, which was a pain, but also works using the method described by sargetalon in his how-to blogs), with absolutely no staining.

[OCArt]

I sometimes find piston pens to get a tiny bit stuck after sitting unused for a long time. For this reason I've started storing the piston knob a bit unscrewed on the theory that I could then "rock" the piston in either direction if needed to free it.

[Bo Bo Olson]

Nice tip.....

[chromantic]

Congrats. Now we'll have to show you the secret handshake.

[Bo Bo Olson]

Rick Papas...the Pelikan Guru, said a Pelikan need not normally be lubricated more than every three-four years.

 

Some folks want to lubricate too much. I've many piston Pelikans, and am sure I lubricated one last year, or the year before. I know I lubed a couple-3-4?,  I've had for over 10 years, some time @ 5 years ago.

Still going strong.

It is not one should not lube, but there is seldom a reason to do it regularly......once every 3-4 years or every decade.

[Ron Z]

The only thing that I would change is to use a cotton swab instead of a toothpick.  A toothpick puts way too much grease in the barrel.  I often find blobs of  silicone grease in a barrel, which will wash off into the ink.

 

Twist the swab to wrap the fibers a little tighter, and just touch it to the silicone grease.  You only need a little bit.  With the grease up, insert into the barrel, rotate the barrel to distribute the silicone grease.  Work the piston up and down a few times, and you will feel it loosen up. 

[LyaT]

Well done. Now you have a bird, more will follow!

 

I use a cotton swab as well, quite handy. It is  fun to maintain the pens and swap the nibs.

[PaperDarts]

I've got exactly this problem with one of my M205 pens, and now I know exactly what to do - thanks, all!

[a m a r g o]

In my experience you should only treat your pens with a complete maintenance scheme when the first signs of 'stiffness' arrive: lubricate the piston after a complete and thorough cleaning.

 

The second most important cleaning should be done after changing inks of different colors and it includes using a tiny amount of liquid soap; the regular maintenance should only be flushing the pens with regular water...

 

 

[Bo Bo Olson]

"""the regular maintenance should only be flushing the pens with regular water... """

Can use a rubber bulb syringe to make that go faster.

[PaperDarts]

Agree, I did this after cleaning the troublesome pen and it moves very smoothly now. Thanks again for the helpful advice.