Platinum Preppy (Cartridge) Won't Write

[BBU]

Yes, it's a cheapie, but a problem is a problem.

 

This one always gave me issues. I almost turned someone away from fountain pens when I installed the cartridge because it took about twenty minutes of scribbling before any ink showed up. The person I gave it to left it alone (capped) for a few weeks, and now it barely writes. If I press down firmly on the nib to spread the tines a bit, and then relax them, it will write for the next two seconds until it goes bone dry again.

 

I tried rinsing the nib with running water and using a paper towel to pull out the inky water through the nib. It didn't help. If I had a converter, I could flush the pen easily, but I don't have one for this brand. If I take out the cartridge and try to run water through the grip section, won't the cartridge get a dry blockage at the opening while it's not connected to anything? I don't want to throw the pen away since the cartridge has barely been used. Any ideas?

 

Thanks.

[Titanic9990]

It would take quite some time for the top layer of ink in the cartridge to dry up. You can take it out, just don't expect to store it for days on end after being opened.

[viclip]

You can cover the hole end of an open cartridge with scotch tape or secured plastic wrap, it'll be fine for a very long time, but store the cartridge upright. Also keep a lookout for those little rubber caps such as those used to cover hose/tube connections on car engines, they can be slipped over the end of the open cartridge for storage (Canadian Tire carries bubble packages of assortments, at least one of them usually fits).

 

As for your clogged pen, I would soak the entire free section, after removing the cartridge, overnight in water. If that doesn't work then try a 1% ammonia solution.

 

I consider an ear bulb to be an indispensable tool for maintaining cartridge pens. Available at any pharmacy, the bulb will fit over the cartridge peg & allow for vigorous flushing & back-flushing.