How to get rid of ink stuck inside demonstratorcap

[woodwindmaster06]

Does anybody know how to get rid of the ink that gets stuck up inside the demonstrator caps, I have tried pouring water into the cap and rinsing out but it is not working (it is Noodlers Black) which is supposed to repel plastic? Any thoughts?

[Roger]

How'd it get there? Leaked from the nib into the cap?

 

Only thing I know is if it is a modern plastic material that can tolerate ammonia, soak it for hours or even a day or more in cool water mixed with 20% household ammonia. If the non sudsy household ammonia, add a drop of dish detergent. If the sudsy type, don't bother with the detergent.

 

What pen is it?

 

Possible that it would require that the inner cap be removed.

Edited October 2, 2005 by Roger

[Titivillus]

Does anybody know how to get rid of the ink that gets stuck up inside the demonstrator caps, I have tried pouring water into the cap and rinsing out but it is not working (it is Noodlers Black) which is supposed to repel plastic? Any thoughts?

You might try a water/ soap solution to get it out. Can you see how the cap is constructed. You might be able to disassemble it and use a bottle brush to get it clean.

 

Krut H

[woodwindmaster06]

Its a sailor 1911M and the ink got there via ink on the nib.

[Maja]

I don't suppose Q-tips would work?

[wimg]

Hi Tim,

 

I would suggest using one of those tiny bottle brushes, after trying out Roger's recipe first. Actually, I woudl probably try soaking overnight in plain water first. With a bit of luck that gets rid of most ink deposits.

 

The advantage of demonstrators presents itself as their downfall too: you can see everything, including smudges. And they'll get there. Pressure changes, shaking, just movement, all get ink onto the nib and into the cap.

 

You should see the cap of my Etruria Nuda, that's filled with Swisher Maroon currently .

 

Anyway, HTH, warm regards, Wim

[KCat]

if the design is anything like the Pelikans, then you need force to flush the ink out.

 

i've used an eyedropper and repeatedly forced water in and out of the cap. another choice would be a syringe with needle (careful not to scratch) aimed into the joint.

 

on pels, the cap is easy to disassemble to rinse out the ink. not sure about the Sailor though...

 

an ear syringe might generate significant force of flow and work well, also.

[southpaw]

Or perhaps the sprayer in the kitchen sink?

[freecia]

Uhm, how about a cut-to-size sliver of makeup sponge? Just cut it to fit (or slightly bigger) , poke it into the cap, and use tweezers on the end to give it a twirl and pull it out.

 

Shouldn't leave any icky bits of paper / cotton shreds left behind.

 

OK, so guys may not have makeup sponge handy (they usually look like ovals or little wedges) but if the girlfriend/wife/mom/sister have some new ones lying around, just snag one. They're soft and non-abrasive.

 

One of those dental points used to floss between teeth, available in the toothcare section, might also be a way to get between the inner and outer cap if you have that problem. A sponge-head makeup applicator might also work.

 

-freecia who uses far too many items in her bathroom as pen accessories.

[antoniosz]

I think woodwindmaster06 is saying that there is ink behind the inner cap which can not be directly reached by a q-tip.

Perhaps you can see the picture in http://www.pensinasia.com/1911_classic_dem...r_fp-sailor.htm

and tell us where exactly the ink is.

 

If it is behind the inner cap, removing it from there is tough. In some pens, for example the Kaweco sports, there is an air path that leads out of the cap at the top of the pen. There pens often show ink behind the inner cap if you have them in you pants pocket. What I do is that I immerse the top of the cap in water and "suck in" from the opening of the cap. This brings some water into that area behind the inner cap. Then I shake it and blow it out. I repeat couple of times and the ink is gone. If the ink has completely dried maybe you can leave it in water overnight. But the important part is to make sure that water reaches that area.