How to Take Care of Your X450 Vintage Style Fountain Pen
Taking care of vintage fountain pens is simply a matter of remembering to clean the nib and keep ink from drying in the pen. Gravity will cause clogging of the nib, so always keep these pens vertical when not in use. Cleaning pen components will keep an X450 vintage style fountain pen in good writing order for years to come. Take your vintage fountain pen apart and clean with cold water after every second filling of ink. Enjoy writing by hand with a vintage fountain pen and discover the smooth ink flow of this antique writing tool.
Instructions
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Remove the ink converter by unscrewing the nib and removing it. Place the converter under cold running water and turn the knob so the piston moves up and down and forces clear water through it.
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Clean the nib also under cold running water. If the ink has dried on the nib, add a teaspoon of ammonia to a cup of water to soak the nib overnight. Window cleaners containing ammonia can also be used for this cleaning.
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Flush the nib until the water runs clear. Use an ear syringe or the faucet to force water through the nib.
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Place the nib in a dry, soft cloth and shake it to expel water.
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Fold a paper towel and rest the nib on this toweling so capillary action will draw out any excess wetness.
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Fill the ink converter with cool water and place the nib back on it. Flush water through both pieces by twisting the ink converter knob and forcing water out through the nib. Do this until the water is clear.
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Store filled pens standing up in a cup, with the nib end pointing up.
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Use a soft cloth to remove dirt and fingerprints from the exterior of the pen.
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Empty ink from your pen when not in use for an extended time. It is fine to store an empty fountain pen horizontally in its case.
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Evacuate ink from your pens before traveling in a plane. Air pressure changes can cause ink leakage.
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Tips & Warnings
Always clean fountain pens when you change ink colors.
References
- Photo Credit fountain pen image by Olaru Radian-Alexandru from Fotolia.com
