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Thread: Parker 51 Vacumatic Restoration

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    Default Parker 51 Vacumatic Restoration

    Hello! It’s been awhile since I have posted, but I recently acquired a nice Parker 51 Dove Grey Vacumatic from 1946, and have some questions about it.
    1.I have cleaned and soaked the pen, and I was wondering if instead of Talcum Powder I could use Corn starch?
    2. Secondly, the Sterling Silver cap that came with the pen is worser for the wear, and I was wondering if there was anyway to restore it a bit (without sending it I know I probably should, but it is kind of pricey)The cap has multiple somewhat deep grooves, dings, dents and cuts.
    3.Thirdly, the body of the pen has multiple light scratches, especially around the hood, and I was wondering if I could polish them out and do anything with the cap to prevent further scratches.
    4.Lastly, do I need to Shellac the Filler or hood when I finish servicing it?
    Sorry for the massive amount of questions!
    Last edited by penmainiac; January 1st, 2020 at 12:12 AM.

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    Senior Member penmainiac's Avatar
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    Default Re: Parker 51 Vacumatic Restoration

    I will post pictures soon if anyone wants to see!


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    Default Re: Parker 51 Vacumatic Restoration

    The talcum is meant to be a dry lubricant so I don't think corn starch would give you the same result. You could take a jewelers cloth to lightly polish the cap, but to get the dents out you need to send it to a repair person. You could try some micromesh to get the scratches out, but honestly, if you are going to send the cap to someone, you might as well send the whole pen. They will be equipped to take scratches out of a pen body fairly easily, and if you are not experienced with it, you can do some damage if done incorrectly.

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    Default Re: Parker 51 Vacumatic Restoration

    Quote Originally Posted by Linkinyeah View Post
    The talcum is meant to be a dry lubricant so I don't think corn starch would give you the same result. You could take a jewelers cloth to lightly polish the cap, but to get the dents out you need to send it to a repair person. You could try some micromesh to get the scratches out, but honestly, if you are going to send the cap to someone, you might as well send the whole pen. They will be equipped to take scratches out of a pen body fairly easily, and if you are not experienced with it, you can do some damage if done incorrectly.

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    Would you know any alternatives to talcum then? And thank you for the advice, I’ll try and see if I can get the cap and body dealt with


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    Default Re: Parker 51 Vacumatic Restoration

    You could always try without any powder. I believe it was meant to help get the sac/diaphragm into the back end of the barrel for replacement use. After that I don't know if it does much because after all, it will be surrounded by ink. I know there is lubricant you can buy, but I think you are trying to get something done without buying anything. I am not an expert, but maybe someone else will chime in. If you can get the sac/diaphragm in without the powder I think you will be okay. Is that what you are trying to do?

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    Default Re: Parker 51 Vacumatic Restoration

    Quote Originally Posted by Linkinyeah View Post
    You could always try without any powder. I believe it was meant to help get the sac/diaphragm into the back end of the barrel for replacement use. After that I don't know if it does much because after all, it will be surrounded by ink. I know there is lubricant you can buy, but I think you are trying to get something done without buying anything. I am not an expert, but maybe someone else will chime in. If you can get the sac/diaphragm in without the powder I think you will be okay. Is that what you are trying to do?

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    Yes, thank you very much


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    Default Re: Parker 51 Vacumatic Restoration

    The talc goes on the filler side of the diaphragm to keep it from sticking to itself. Corn starch is a bad idea, it is hydroscopic and bug food. Vac lubricant is used to help slide the filler into the barrel.

    No shellac is involved with setting the filler in the barrel.

    You will need a vac wrench.

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    Default Re: Parker 51 Vacumatic Restoration

    Quote Originally Posted by Farmboy View Post
    The talc goes on the filler side of the diaphragm to keep it from sticking to itself. Corn starch is a bad idea, it is hydroscopic and bug food. Vac lubricant is used to help slide the filler into the barrel.

    No shellac is involved with setting the filler in the barrel.

    You will need a vac wrench.
    I have already removed the filler and clean the remains of the previous sac; I heard from Grandmia pens that Dusting/baby powder could also work, is this true?


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    Default Re: Parker 51 Vacumatic Restoration

    Baby powder is the same as talcum powder, so it's OK to use that on the filler side of the diaphragm to prevent it from sticking to itself.
    Did you make sure get all of the pellet out of the cup?
    You will need a vac wrench to get the filler back in as tight as it needs to be. You can't do it with a regular wrench as you will strip off the screw threads.

    There is no way for an inexperienced person to restore the silver cap without special tools.

    You could search in the Repair forum for types of polish that you might be able to obtain and use to restore the barrel.
    Last edited by Chrissy; January 1st, 2020 at 01:27 AM.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Default Parker 51 Vacumatic Restoration

    Quote Originally Posted by Chrissy View Post
    Baby powder is the same as talcum powder, so it's OK to use that on the filler side of the diaphragm to prevent it from sticking to itself.
    Did you make sure get all of the pellet out of the cup?
    You will need a vac wrench to get the filler back in as tight as it needs to be. You can't do it with a regular wrench as you will strip off the screw threads.
    I made sure to carefully remove the pellet with a dremel and dentist pliers, as for the filler I have a vacumatic block for it, so all seems to be in working order. Also Thanks for the advice and reminder!


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    Last edited by penmainiac; January 1st, 2020 at 01:32 AM.

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    Default Re: Parker 51 Vacumatic Restoration

    Baby powder has other stuff (fragrances among them) that could react with the rubber. We prefer pure talc.

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    Default Re: Parker 51 Vacumatic Restoration

    Quote Originally Posted by Ron Z View Post
    Baby powder has other stuff (fragrances among them) that could react with the rubber. We prefer pure talc.
    What about dusting powder?


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    Default Re: Parker 51 Vacumatic Restoration

    Quote Originally Posted by penmainiac View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Ron Z View Post
    Baby powder has other stuff (fragrances among them) that could react with the rubber. We prefer pure talc.
    What about dusting powder?


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    Do you mean body dusting powder? If so it's also likely to contain fragrance that pure talc doesn't have.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Default Re: Parker 51 Vacumatic Restoration

    Quote Originally Posted by Chrissy View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by penmainiac View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Ron Z View Post
    Baby powder has other stuff (fragrances among them) that could react with the rubber. We prefer pure talc.
    What about dusting powder?


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    Do you mean body dusting powder? If so it's also likely to contain fragrance that pure talc doesn't have.
    No, I mean like fingerprint dusting powder.


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    Default Re: Parker 51 Vacumatic Restoration

    Talc is dirt cheap.

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    Default Re: Parker 51 Vacumatic Restoration

    Quote Originally Posted by Chuck Naill View Post
    Talc is dirt cheap.
    Yeah I do know that, but it is quite hard to come by in stores here in California


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    Default Re: Parker 51 Vacumatic Restoration

    Quote Originally Posted by penmainiac View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Chuck Naill View Post
    Talc is dirt cheap.
    Yeah I do know that, but it is quite hard to come by in stores here in California


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    Anderson Pens is but a click away. https://andersonpens.com/pure-talc-10ml-jar/

    I spill more beer than $3.

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    Default Re: Parker 51 Vacumatic Restoration

    Quote Originally Posted by Chuck Naill View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by penmainiac View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Chuck Naill View Post
    Talc is dirt cheap.
    Yeah I do know that, but it is quite hard to come by in stores here in California


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    Anderson Pens is but a click away. https://andersonpens.com/pure-talc-10ml-jar/

    I spill more beer than $3.
    Oh I couldn’t find this before. Thanks!


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    Default Re: Parker 51 Vacumatic Restoration

    Pen tooling is in CA and Dale has a 5 gallon bucket of talc...

    Where in CA are you? SF? If so one of the locals can help with a dusting.

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    Default Parker 51 Vacumatic Restoration

    Quote Originally Posted by Farmboy View Post
    Pen tooling is in CA and Dale has a 5 gallon bucket of talc...

    Where in CA are you? SF? If so one of the locals can help with a dusting.
    No, I’m in Orange County/Anaheim


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