How to Get Ink Flowing in Gel Pens
Gel pens are a very popular utensil for writing and drawing. The ink usually flows through the pens very smoothly, giving off a loud, bold texture. The main drawback to gel pens is that they are prone to drying out. Because the gel in the pens is made of mostly liquid, evaporation causes them to dry out and, in some cases, stop working. Fortunately, there are a few methods that you can try to get the ink flowing back through your gel pen.
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Instructions
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1
Remove the lid from your gel pen.
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2
Tap the nose of the pen on a sheet of paper.
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3
Draw small circles onto the sheet of paper. If ink does not flow from the pen, move on to Step 4.
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4
Rub the nose of the pen against your finger. The natural oils in the skin usually help to get the ball rolling and the ink softened up (from body heat).
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5
Use a lighter. Quickly and gently move the tip of the pen through the lighter. If there is any dried ink at the nose of the pen, this will soften it up and get the ink flowing again. Do not leave the pen in the lighter for more than one second or it could melt or cause injury. If the ink is still not flowing from the pen, move on to Step 5.
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Wet the tip of the pen. Sometimes the ball in the tip of the gel pen gets stuck. This would cause the ink to stay locked inside the pen. By wetting the nose of the pen, you moisten the ball and help it move again. If water does not do the trick, try using a cotton swab and wet it with vegetable oil. Apply to the tip of the pen.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not light the gel pen on fire. Only run the tip through the flame for a second. Holding it against or near a flame for longer could cause the pen to melt.
