Using Rubbing Alcohol/acetone To Remove Oil From Nib?

[schin]

Hey guys!

Recently I've been using rubbing alcohol and wipes as a cleaner for my nibs, I find it degreases it very well.

But I wonder if it is not safe for nibs? Does anyone know what rubbing alcohol/acetone does to metal? I throw my nibs away very liberally so it doesn't have to be long-term damage, but just wonder if it does any short term damage I should be aware of, especially on vintage nibs.

[Scrawler]

I avoid acetone like the plague. It will dissolve many plastics. Rubbing alcohol is 70% isopropyl alcohol. I use it all the time for cleaning nibs and feeds, and in some cases the insides of caps and barrels. It has no affect on nib steel, chrome, brass or gold plate that I have noticed. If isopropyl alcohol will not clean off a nib, especially a dip nib with say Indian ink stuck on it, then I go to Koh-I-Noor Rapidoeze. That is however quite expensive stuff compared with isopropyl alcohol.

[smk]

The alcohol would evaporate from the nib before it could do any damage I think. However I'm not sure if its a good solvent for all the different types of machining oils so it might not work on all nibs.

 

The most consistent cleaner for me is toothpaste - works every time I use it (even on the notorious Rose nibs!)

 

Salman

[schin]

Toothpaste? Really works on those damn Brause roses? I'm gonna go try it right now!

[MusinkMan]

Second that! Toothpase and a Q-tip made my Brause 76 flow like wild honey. And a little spittle on the nib after of course! :-)

[smk]

And it tastes minty fresh!

[Stompie]

I still use vodka!

 

and after testing it with a few sips just to make sure it is still fresh, everything works just fine, well, that day any how!

[schin]

I'm trying the vodka method.. Everything is blurry, the ink is spilled and I feel like singing so I think it's working very well indeed!!