Cleaning Method For Iron Gall Ink Using Ascorbic Acid

[inkstainedruth]

Yes, but the better the vinegar, the more I save it for cooking....

I use household white vinegar mostly for cleaning. For cooking, I want better stuff (wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[finzi]

Oh my toes - this is a very old thread, but I’m reviving it just to say that this has been a game changer for one of my old Cross 18k nib pens. It used to be inked with R&K Scabiosa, I became very unwell and the pen had dried out by the time I was in fit state to think about my pens again. The pen was still functional, flow wasn’t the best (as you can imagine) and there was lots of crusting around the top of the section. I used 1.5% citric acid solution, soaked for a few minutes, flushed with a rubber sucky thing (ugh, I cannot find my words today) and it’s amazing! That thick crust around the top of the section has totally gone, the amount of gunk that came out when I flushed it was quite startling. 
 

This is a very useful thread.  Thank you. 

[msilverton]

I have not tried citric acid, but do agree that ascorbic works very well and does not leave behind any residue as oxalic and sodium hypochlorite tend to do. I believe ascorbic has a preserving effect on steel dip nibs as well. You can even write with it. Using the pure powder, not the supplement, it goes on clear but dries to an orange and then with time a dark brown color. It has a raised effect too. When I rub my finger over the letters the text sits on top of the paper. As for permanence, this was written 2+ years ago and still looks and feels the same.

 

 

[LizEF]

1 hour ago, msilverton said:

I have not tried citric acid, but do agree that ascorbic works very well and does not leave behind any residue as oxalic and sodium hypochlorite tend to do. I believe ascorbic has a preserving effect on steel dip nibs as well. You can even write with it. Using the pure powder, not the supplement, it goes on clear but dries to an orange and then with time a dark brown color. It has a raised effect too. When I rub my finger over the letters the text sits on top of the paper. As for permanence, this was written 2+ years ago and still looks and feels the same.

 

 

Thanks!