Removing mold from a Vacumatic - safely!

[MikeFrag]

I've got mold in a Vacumatic, one that I prize because of its barrel clarity. I know I'm going to have to strip it down to clean it, but I'm concerned about 2 things, especially as I've yet to do a full Vac repair.

 

1) Will replacing the diaphragm be necessary? Or will a thorough clean of the barrel, nib/section and cap be sufficient?

 

2) What will kill the mold without damaging the celluloid? When I search around for mold cleaners, I see the following things suggested. Does anyone know if they're OK to use in a vacumatic? And should soaks be avoided, just rinsing/scrubbing with whatever I use?

- Basic-G Germicide (or some other "biocide", although so far I've only seen this brand mentioned by name)

- diluted ammonia

- bleach, if only for the pen barrel and not any metal component.

- hydrogen peroxide

 

Thanks in advance, any advice is appreciated!

[FarmBoy]

Remove the section and filler and clean the barrel with soap and water. 

[FarmBoy]

Change the diaphragm while the pen is apart. 
 

you can flush the breather tube with anything you choose. 
 

Don’t forget to clean the inside of the cap. 
 

I would avoid soaking the pen in anything. 
 

 

[VacNut]

I searched the internet and this forum for “mold”. A Vac is inorganic, except perhaps for the diaphragm. The mold is associated with the ink.  I suppose given enough time anything will corrode a pen. OP, why the concern with such active cleaners, beyond soap and water, and then letting the pen dry out thoroughly?

[mizgeorge]

I tend to use diluted white vinegar for anything involving mould, but that's more to avoid any spread than anything else.

 

And if it really is mould, ditch the ink...

[MikeFrag]

I've ditched the ink already, believe me!

 

My concern with active cleaners is that mold spores are particularly impervious to ordinary cleaning. I've had mold in a pen once before, a FPR Indus. Completely dissembled it, soaked the parts for a brief period in a diluted bleach solution, scrubbed and flushed it before reassembly - and the mold came back.

[mizgeorge]

That's why I use vinegar - far more effective than bleach for mould.