Quick question: alcohol vs Mont Blanc plastic

[MDI]

Up until now, all of my pens were of solid metal (silver or stainless) and I never worried about using alcohol disinfectants.

 

Suddenly, I am in possession of two shiny MBs. I have a contemporary black 145 and a Monte Rosa from the 60s (gray with gold trim). Both appear to be entirely plastic, and I wonder if frequent (hospital setting) use of regular alcohol disinfectant pads will harm the pens or produce permanent discolorations.

[yachtsilverswan]

I don't use alcohol swabs on my Montblancs. I don't use alcohol on my Visconti Divina Propozione celluloid either. I keep the alcohol swabs away from anything lacquered or plastic.

 

I suspect the resin would be damaged by the alcohol.

 

Look at this tragic little experiment: http://neuralfibre.com/paul/reviews/how-to...-mont-blanc-pen

 

I use a metal Vanishing Point in the office and in the hospital so that I can disinfect my pen without risking the finish.

Edited November 22, 2008 by yachtsilverswan

[troglokev]

Don't do it.

 

Really.

 

Do not do it.

 

Shellac is soluble in whisky.

 

Don't ask.

Edited November 22, 2008 by troglokev

[troglokev]

Look at this tragic little experiment: http://neuralfibre.com/paul/reviews/how-to...-mont-blanc-pen

 

Wow. I thought the whisky incident was bad! That's unspeakable, and it makes me glad I don't drink methylated spirits.

 

A link to that should be added to the big list o' Mont Blanc web sites at the top of the forum, as a warning to us all.

Edited November 22, 2008 by troglokev

[FrankB]

Why are you using disinfectant on pens? If necessary, what is wrong with some luke warm water and mild dish washing detergent?

[yachtsilverswan]

Why are you using disinfectant on pens? If necessary, what is wrong with some luke warm water and mild dish washing detergent?

 

Because I work in a hospital, and because hospitals (particularly ICU's) are becoming increasingly colonized with bacteria that are resistant to almost all of our antibiotics (MRSA, VRSA). If our hands become contaminated, then our pens can easily become contaminated. Just washing our hands is not enough to prevent us from spreading the bacteria from patient to patient - or from bringing the bacteria home on our pens.

 

An alcohol swab is a quick and effective disinfectant.

Edited November 22, 2008 by yachtsilverswan

[MDI]

Right, then... No R-OH on MB. Carry on, and thanks!

[QM2]

Up until now, all of my pens were of solid metal (silver or stainless) and I never worried about using alcohol disinfectants.

 

Suddenly, I am in possession of two shiny MBs. I have a contemporary black 145 and a Monte Rosa from the 60s (gray with gold trim). Both appear to be entirely plastic, and I wonder if frequent (hospital setting) use of regular alcohol disinfectant pads will harm the pens or produce permanent discolorations.

 

Your Monterosa is offended and says it is from the 1950's. (The 60's ones are not as nice.)

 

As for the alcohol issue -- my, am I glad you asked this question before benignly destroying my your Chopin! But seriously, I do not think many people know this. I am surprised there is not a greater MB casualty rate!

 

 

PS: Clearly this is evidence that you require an all-sterling Meisterstück. Think of it as a job expense. Think of it as being responsible and saving your plastic pens from contamination. Just a thought...

 

 

 

Edited November 22, 2008 by QM2

[yachtsilverswan]

Wow. I thought the whisky incident was bad! That's unspeakable, and it makes me glad I don't drink methylated spirits.

 

Methylated Spirits is a mixture of 95% Ethyl Alcohol (the good stuff in whisky) and 5% Methyl Alcohol (poisonous and added to make the mixture undrinkable and therefore untaxed)

 

So, for the most part Kev (95% meeting my standards for "most part"), we do drink the stuff.

 

In college, it's a good thing I was not made of "precious resin."

 

Warning - don't stir your cocktail with a MB 149.

Edited November 22, 2008 by yachtsilverswan

[troglokev]

I still prefer my alcohol without the methyl alcohol and the pyridine.

 

I hope Amir didn't let Zuzik see that link by accident.

[yachtsilverswan]

I still prefer my alcohol without the methyl alcohol and the pyridine.

 

Agreed. Additionally I prefer my alcohol without the Meisterstuk swizzle stick.

 

[GardenCity-NY]

Up until now, all of my pens were of solid metal (silver or stainless) and I never worried about using alcohol disinfectants.

 

Suddenly, I am in possession of two shiny MBs. I have a contemporary black 145 and a Monte Rosa from the 60s (gray with gold trim). Both appear to be entirely plastic, and I wonder if frequent (hospital setting) use of regular alcohol disinfectant pads will harm the pens or produce permanent discolorations.

 

Try carnuba wax to both clean and protect. It is a great cleaner... really.

 

[Usui]

Would alcohol ruin the finish on a VP Decimo? That's what I gave my doctor brother in law... I'd like to warn him if there is a concern

[yachtsilverswan]

Would alcohol ruin the finish on a VP Decimo? That's what I gave my doctor brother in law... I'd like to warn him if there is a concern

 

The Decimo is aluminum bodied, and so should be safe to wipe down with an alcohol swab.

 

Is the Raden plastic bodied with its inlays? If plastic, then an alcohol swab would likely damage the finish.

 

I use a Pilot Vanishing Point Carbonesque at the hospital for this very reason, and the daily alcohol wipe-down has not damaged my pen at all.

Edited February 5, 2009 by yachtsilverswan

[Ghost Plane]

YOLs are great in situations like this. Nice heavy silver and resistant to the solvents I've spilled on them to date.

[niksch]

As an accidental test, I just spilled Woodford Reserve all over my early 1960s 149. No damage to the early resin, but it writes more wobbily than normal. Is this unusual?

[yachtsilverswan]

As an accidental test, I just spilled Woodford Reserve all over my early 1960s 149. No damage to the early resin, but it writes more wobbily than normal. Is this unusual?

 

Soak it overnight in some strong coffee. And take away its keys.

 

[Ghost Plane]

:roflmho:

[Doc H]

The Purell hand cleaner we use seems not to affect resin or metal (at least MB or Pelikan, although I use Renaissance Wax liberally). May be the extra oils in it...might switch to gluteraldehyde tho'....you are too right about MRSA, HBV, CDIF, TB and a host of other initials you don't want to know...

[theChipmunk]

Right, then... No R-OH on MB. Carry on, and thanks!

Argh! Functional group notation! Not in the summer holidays, please!

 

Methylated Spirits is a mixture of 95% Ethyl Alcohol (the good stuff in whisky) and 5% Methyl Alcohol (poisonous and added to make the mixture undrinkable and therefore untaxed)

Yep, drink methanol and blindness ensues.

 

I think the worst thing for degrading plastics that I've come across in everyday use is Zoff wipes, for removing stickiness of adhesive dressings etc... One wipe we threw away reacted with the plastic bag lining the plastic bin and went through the bag and was thinning the side of the bin when we noticed. And since most plastic bags are pretty unreactive...!

 

theChipmunk

 

P.S. My father distills whiskey...won't let him bring a non-metal bodied pen into work after reading this!