Trouble with a new preppy

[Calrhite]

I recently bought a new platinum preppy red. It started off strong, however after a few lines, it suddenly lightened and faded out. I believed that it was a 'new pen issue' and washed it out and changed the ink. However, the issue continues to persist. Currently, I am using the Waterman Audacious Red ink. I am not sure whether this is an issue with the pen or the ink. 

 

I previously owned a black preppy and never faced this issue even when the plastic body started cracking and falling apart.

 

A sample of my general handwriting:

 

 

Any advice or tips?

[SLinkster]

Move the nib slightly up the feed, see if the writing improves. If not, pull off the nib, scrub the exposed bit of the feed and flush it with soapy water. 

[Calrhite]

No success so far... Tried the method as well as rubbed the nib on some sandpaper to improve scratchiness. 

[SLinkster]

Floss the slit? Apply even pressure to the tip to coax it off the feed? Wetter ink? Does it "write" with plain water? Different playing branded cartridge or converter?