Pensbury Manor Black Hard Rubber Pen Potion No. 9: Results

[mhphoto]

I know the controversy of re-blackening a vintage pen, and if you do it, which method should you use, but that's not what this thread is about. It's a mini-review of sorts.

 

I got a small bottle of the Pen Potion No. 9 and had previously tried it on a broken Waterman 52 cap with mixed results. I didn't follow the directions to a T, but it was basically what they said to do. The result was a bit streaky, but definitely looked better than the oxidized surface.

 

For this pen, a hard rubber Mabie Todd Swan fitted with an awesome generic 14k warranted nib, I cleaned the surface with plain old rubbing alcohol and applied the PP9 with a hobby brush. The results were much better with the brush. I then let the pieces dry overnight. In the morning I buffed all refinished surfaces, then coated them with Renaissance wax. I don't know how robust the refinished surface would be with no protection, but for me it's a simple step that will protect the new finish.

 

The results are fantastic; much better than I'd hoped, to be honest.

 

I have a few more HR pens in mind to try that aren't particularly valuable, and when I do I'll be sure to take before shots as well (honestly didn't cross my mind with this pen).

 

The finished product:

 

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/t595/fivecatpenagerie/A9EF93C6-E43F-44B1-8FD5-B8F4720AB4F0-24606-000003C7549AD9DB_zpsba8a9f38.jpg

 

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/t595/fivecatpenagerie/1388EE00-F422-4117-90D6-75502BC0C206-24606-000003C75EB60A46_zps067eb9e2.jpg

 

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/t595/fivecatpenagerie/02814F26-653E-4BBB-9DCB-F2A315300CD9_zpsvojplq26.jpg

 

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/t595/fivecatpenagerie/2499535A-C3BE-4867-9AAA-8C0B26C29DCB_zpsb3gzomkr.jpg

[mhphoto]

Also worth mentioning that I didn't do anything special to try and prevent the PP9 from getting on the gold cap. It got smeared on the gold and dried overnight, but came right off with a polishing cloth.

[mhphoto]

Also also worth mentioning, the cap of this pen had been faded by an incident involving hot tea and an errant feline. The olive-colored portion received the same amount of PP9 as the rest of the pen, and it seems all surfaces covered were dyed the same, which is very impressive.

 

I guess I forgot to mention, I am very impressed overall with Pen Potion No. 9, though I think any pen refinished with it should receive a layer of protection, like the very awesome Renaissance wax.

[pokermon]

My experience with PP9 is sometimes I get the streaking issue you mentioned even with a brush. I found the brush to be much more efficient than using a rag or paper towel. To combat the streaking I'll do more than one coat. A protective layer is a good idea since any polish or liquid will wash the dye right off. Thanks for sharing your experience with us MH. Can others that have used PP9 please chime in as well to get the best results.

 

-Tommy

[Paul Raposo]

Great post, and tips on this product, mhphoto. Thank you

[Ron Z]

It's about all that we have to blacken pens. But it will wear off, or scratch off, and can also be cleaned right off with alcohol.

[Woodnut]

Pray tell: What is a "hobby brush"? I'd like to know because I also have a Waterman 52 with an oxidized cap, and I'd like to try fixing it up with PP9. Thanks.

[risingsun]

I think he means one of those sponge brushes... But that's just a guess...

[mhphoto]

I actually have no idea what a hobby brush is…

 

But I just used a little brush, like what you'd use to paint a model car.

[watch_art]

A Waterman 52 I have was just blackened with this stuff and it looks amazing. The pen was BROWN. Top to bottom - and now it looks like it could be brand new. I'm pleased as punch.

[pokermon]

I use a little paint brush that is a little less than a centimeter wide.

 

Pray tell: What is a "hobby brush"? I'd like to know because I also have a Waterman 52 with an oxidized cap, and I'd like to try fixing it up with PP9. Thanks.

[kirchh]

The surface texture is extremely grainy. Was it like that before you waxed it?

 

--Daniel

[Christopher Godfrey]

Thanks for trlling us all about it, mhphoto -- I also one or two pens needing this treatment.

 

Ron Z: thank you, too -- you answered my thought about cleaning with your mention of alcohol: I guess that is just what is needed to clean the brush with, afterwards.

Edited November 22, 2013 by Christopher Godfrey

[mhphoto]

The surface texture is extremely grainy. Was it like that before you waxed it?

 

--Daniel

 

This pen has always had an interesting texture from wear and tear. In areas that the cap covers it's perfectly smooth, and that section is both dyed and waxed as well.

[eckiethump]

I have tried it and moved on to another application, I and my customers who request this re-blackening, find far superior. It has taken a lot of research and experimentation to develop the process I now use and even then it depends on the original quality of the hard rubber itself. In this I do not mean surface pitting or crazing, but the actual material composition.

Eric

[FarmBoy]

The surface texture is extremely grainy. Was it like that before you waxed it?

 

--Daniel

Bleach?

[Ron Z]

The surface texture is extremely grainy. Was it like that before you waxed it?

 

--Daniel

Use of a foam applicator introduces bubbles that could cause this texture. Something like a Q-tip produces a smoother finish with fewer bubbles.

[watch_art]

Here's my 52.

 

The barrel was totally brown when I got it.

 

 

 

[Vintagepens]

My impression of this stuff is that it is more a paint than a dye. If it readily comes off when wiped with alcohol, it does not penetrate the surface to any extent (or if it does, it does not undergo any fixing process that renders it permanent, unlike fabric dyes for example).

 

Seems to me that overall, a good dye process would be more desirable than paint. On the other hand, if one were to opt for a paint process, the best would be very thin, tough, and chemical-resistant -- and probably best applied by spraying.

[BamaPen]

I am away from my computer, so do not have access to my pictures to post here, but I have used Potion No. 9 on several BCHR pens that were very disfigured by oxidation. I cleaned the surface thoroughly according to the directions, avoided touching after cleaning, and used a Q-tip to apply. The results in each case were outstanding. Variations in color completely disappeared and a uniform black surface resulted.

 

I only do this to pens that are neither rare nor exceptionally collectible, and I add a prominent note in my database (thanks JonRo) explaining what was done, in the hope that any future owner will be made aware.

 

I do not use the pens frequently, so cannot attest to the durability of the process with serious use, but I can say that after a couple of years it seems unchanged.

 

John