Before putting ink into a fountain pen ...

[Carpio]

Hello,

I've looked over the forum and can't decide which part of the many offerings to ask my question, so if I'm in the wrong place, I offer my apologies in advance.

What I would like to ask is this: Is it advisable to 'flush' a new, never been used before fountain pen out before adding ink?
Also....
Once a pen has been used with ink and about to change to a different coloured ink, can I use, without causing damage? to the pen, Isopropanol. I can't see as it would cause harm to use in cleaning, but I'd like to be sure that it is OK.

Many thanks,

Carpio

[JulieParadise]

Don't use anything to flush your pen besides cold to lukewarm water (maybe with a household dish detergent, but flush this out very thoroughly!) or specific pen flush.

Alcohol or other harsh cleaning solutions may cause damage to not only the surface but to the various materials in general.

Besides: Don't underestimate water! Most inks are water-soluble, so simple ol' water does the job just fine!

[LizEF]

Welcome to FPGeeks, Carpio!

What I would like to ask is this: Is it advisable to 'flush' a new, never been used before fountain pen out before adding ink?

People disagree on that. I'll say that doing so will save time if there's a problem (because you'll already know the problem isn't from any left over debris or machining oils from manufacturing). If you're going to do it, use either a pen flush or water with a tiny bit of liquid dish soap mixed in (since the point is to remove oils, water alone won't do it). I'll also say that in my experience, it's rare that a pen needs this, but every now and then, one does, so it's just safer to do it...

Once a pen has been used with ink and about to change to a different coloured ink, can I use, without causing damage? to the pen, Isopropanol. I can't see as it would cause harm to use in cleaning, but I'd like to be sure that it is OK.

Do not use Isopropanol to clean your pen. Depending on the material the pen is made of, it can cause damage to the materials. TWSBI, for example, include specific instructions with (some of?) their pens to not use alcohol. The preferred cleaning solution when changing inks is plain old water. Except for stubborn or staining inks, or inks that were allowed to dry in the pen, this is enough. For more stubborn inks, the recommendations are usually to use the following, after water has done most of the work:

• For iron gall inks, use vinegar or acetic acid
• For staining inks, use a bleach solution or a "cleaner ink"
• For stubborn inks, use a pen flush (commercial or home-made) with ammonia - ammonia breaks down ink like nothing else I've encountered

The two cleaner inks I know of are: Sailor Doyou and Noodler's Rattler Red. You fill the stained pen with this ink and use it like normal. In theory, by the time your fill is used up (or perhaps a second fill in bad cases?), the stain is gone.

NOTE: Never mix any Noodler's Baystate ink with an ink not from that series. (If a Baystate ink stains your pen - and it will, because that's what they do - use a bleach solution to remove the stain.)

Hope that helps!

If you want to make your own pen flush, the recipe is:

• 1 part ammonia
• 9-10 parts water
• drop of liquid dish soap

ETA: The above applies to modern pens made with common materials. If your pen is vintage or made with some unusual material or is super expensive, please research the specific materials - or stick to safe inks and water! Also, never soak metal in anything other than plain water!

[Carpio]

Many thanks for the swift replies. Much obliged. I'll throw the Isopropanol in the bin.

[LizEF]

Many thanks for the swift replies. Much obliged.

You're very welcome!

I'll throw the Isopropanol in the bin.

Or maybe save it for some other use...

[Chrissy]

I would certainly go with just using water. Definitely not isopropanol

[TSherbs]

pre-flushing a pen? What is that??

I've only done that once on 88 pens...when I knew that the pen had been ink-tested before being shipped and I could see ink on the nib when it arrived...

But I have only very hard water at my house, and no local access to distilled water, so....my first fill with ink has always been enough. Now, nib condition out of the box is a whole other matter....

[Sailor Kenshin]

After trying to put a pink ink in a Jinhao, and coming up with purple, I now flush only that brand.

Oh, wait. I also draw and release water, just to see if the pen works at all.

[Carpio]

'Or maybe save it for some other use... '

Good job you said that. I was on my way to the bin, then I remembered why I bought it. For cleaning my guitars.

[Bisquitlips]

Don't go too crazy.

A little warm water at first will go a long, long way to cleansing your pens.

After that, if you are unhappy with the results, try some pen flush. Follow the directions in the package.

[Wile E Coyote]

Don't use anything to flush your pen besides cold to lukewarm water (maybe with a household dish detergent, but flush this out very thoroughly!) or specific pen flush.

Alcohol or other harsh cleaning solutions may cause damage to not only the surface but to the various materials in general.

Besides: Don't underestimate water! Most inks are water-soluble, so simple ol' water does the job just fine!

Reminds me of the old Q-Tip commercial...never stick anything in your ear except your elbow.

[TSherbs]

'Or maybe save it for some other use... '

Good job you said that. I was on my way to the bin, then I remembered why I bought it. For cleaning my guitars.

only "pure" isopropyl alcohol is recommended for this (assuming that you mean cleaning the strings) . . . .avoid using standard "rubbing alcohol" and other such variants that have water in them, and keep it off the fretboard (I don't use it cuz I am too clumsy to do it right, for sure).

[Carpio]

Hello,

Thanks for that, TSherbs.
Yes, I only use it on the strings. I loosen the strings just enough to get an old, thin t-towel underneath to protect the fret board.
I have to be honest and say that I shouldn't really bother, and to stop being a tight sod and just change the strings because I have a lot of packets of strings. Certainly more strings than fountain pens. Only just, mind.

Carpio