How to Clean a Technical Pen

Remove Pen Barrel

Technical pens were originally developed so that drafters could draw with smooth, even lines. Even though drafters use computers for that work now, artists and pen enthusiasts like technical pens for their ease of use and smooth movement. One drawback, though, is that technical pens sometimes clog, especially when you haven't used them in a while. Clean your technical pen regularly to keep it in working order.

Things You'll Need

• Technical pen
• Pen cleaning solution
• Dish soap and water
• Pressure bulb cleaning syringe
• Paper towel or rag

Instructions

1. Unscrew and remove the pen cap. Then unscrew and remove the outer pen barrel from the pen-point and ink cartridge.

2. Unscrew the colored ring and remove it from ink cartridge. Pull off the ink cartridge with a slight twist.

3. Spill any residual ink that hasn't dried onto a folded paper towel or rag by tapping cartridge's closed end.

4. Separate the pen nib from the black pen carriage using a nib-key to unscrew it. The nib-key is the small wheel tool that's included in most technical pen sets. There are usually two of these keys in a set.

5. Thread the pen nib using a pressure bulb cleaning syringe.

6. Place nib, ink cartridge, and all other pen parts that may contain dried ink into a small bowl. Pour pen cleaning solution (or simple dish soap and water) into the bowl, covering all pen parts. Let them soak overnight.

7. Rinse all parts with hot water. Dry them off with a clean paper towel or rag. Reassemble the pen.

Tips & Warnings

• If one of the narrower nibs becomes impossible to unclog, not even an ultrasonic cleaner may be able to fix it. Toss it out and get a new nib.

• Ultrasonic cleaners are for pens that haven't been used in months. Note that they're expensive and not necessarily a panacea.

• When cleaning pen parts in a sink, make sure that there's a strainer screen in the drain.

References

• Dick Blick: Koh-I-Noor Rapidograph Pens