How do you clean your Pilot VP/decimo/capless Barrel?

[Arts11]

So I accidentally squeezed some ink into the front barrel of my Pilot decimo while taking out the nib unit and I was wondering what was the best way to clean it out? I've flushed some water through it using an ear syringe and some other colored inks came out too [most likely a result of past fillings with different inks that must've dripped into, and dried in, the interior]. I'm mainly wondering if it's safe to soak the barrel for an extended time b/c I don't know if the insides, like the spring, will get rusted or anything like that. Thanks.

[Siv]

I would rinse and rinse and dry. I don't think soaking is a good idea because the internals are brass and may corode. I would also NOT put anything like tissue or a q-tip/cotton bud in there to try and dry it as you're likely to leave bits behind.

 

For all mine, I always rinse under a running tap both with and without the nib in there - I use the nib to push the trapdoor open and make sure water gets everywhere. I then shake very vigorously to make sure that all the loose water is out, wipe the outside as necessary and then leave it to dry.

 

My tactic may be a little conservative (after all, ink is basically water so if it's going to rust, it's going to rust with ink in the pen) but it gives me peace of mind that I'm doing the best I can for the pen.

[Arts11]

I would rinse and rinse and dry. I don't think soaking is a good idea because the internals are brass and may corode. I would also NOT put anything like tissue or a q-tip/cotton bud in there to try and dry it as you're likely to leave bits behind.

 

For all mine, I always rinse under a running tap both with and without the nib in there - I use the nib to push the trapdoor open and make sure water gets everywhere. I then shake very vigorously to make sure that all the loose water is out, wipe the outside as necessary and then leave it to dry.

 

My tactic may be a little conservative (after all, ink is basically water so if it's going to rust, it's going to rust with ink in the pen) but it gives me peace of mind that I'm doing the best I can for the pen.

Thanks for the advice. I remember using a q-tip awhile back to wipe off some ink around the trap door area and I think a couple strands of cotton got stuck. Are there any major problems with having a couple strands stuck in there long term?

[tanalasta]

Not really.

 

The cotton strands may stick to the nib and you'd notice it when it does as it may cause smudging when you write. Easily fixed though by pulling the strands out. Cotton is fairly harmless I would think...

[Siv]

Thanks for the advice. I remember using a q-tip awhile back to wipe off some ink around the trap door area and I think a couple strands of cotton got stuck. Are there any major problems with having a couple strands stuck in there long term?

If you see them, pull them out. Otherwise don't worry about it.

[greencobra]

Can't say I've ever cleaned mine out. 2 have been in constant use for 4+ years and as long as the mechanism is working properly, I see no reason to rinse or stick something down inside.

[dizzypen]

I use a pipette to squirt water in there. You can also use the pipette to push open the trapdoor. It works well for me. When I'm done I shake out all the water I can and then leave it on my desk to dry for a day or two. You really don't want to put it away wet as it can rust/corrode.

 

I've only had to do this once after using a very creepy Noodler's Bulletproof ink. I learned a valuable lesson: creepy inks and Pilot VPs are not fast friends. It's a shame though.

[rdh]

One thing I have done after rinsing the barrel and drying as much as I can, is to get a thin bamboo barbeque skewer, push it through the trap door and leave it there for a day to dry.

 

I, too, only had the need to clean the barrel after using an ink that creeped. If you use creepless inks, you will rarely need to clean it.

 

Dave

[Pippin60]

I would rinse and rinse and dry. I don't think soaking is a good idea because the internals are brass and may corode. I would also NOT put anything like tissue or a q-tip/cotton bud in there to try and dry it as you're likely to leave bits behind.

 

For all mine, I always rinse under a running tap both with and without the nib in there - I use the nib to push the trapdoor open and make sure water gets everywhere. I then shake very vigorously to make sure that all the loose water is out, wipe the outside as necessary and then leave it to dry.

 

My tactic may be a little conservative (after all, ink is basically water so if it's going to rust, it's going to rust with ink in the pen) but it gives me peace of mind that I'm doing the best I can for the pen.

 

 

Can't say I've ever cleaned mine out. 2 have been in constant use for 4+ years and as long as the mechanism is working properly, I see no reason to rinse or stick something down inside.

 

I think I would have to agree with both, however since you got ink in there I would just use water and then I use a can of compressed air to blow out the water if I ever have to clean the barrell of any pen out. The kind used for camera's or electronic equipment. Then I would leave it open in a dry place to just air dry over night.

[Arts11]

Can't say I've ever cleaned mine out. 2 have been in constant use for 4+ years and as long as the mechanism is working properly, I see no reason to rinse or stick something down inside.

Yeah, this was the first time I've decided to clean out the actual barrel [not counting the time I was using the q-tip on the opening] of my decimo. That would probably account for the traces of blue, black, and red that came out when I flushed the barrel with some water!

[Imzadi]

I just cleaned my VP due to ink leakage into the barrel. I used a skewer and pushed it into the pen to hold the trap door open and let water run through. This stops the water from pooling in unwanted places. I leave the skewer in to air dry. I've had to do this several times and my pen seems to be fine with no ill effects. YMMV