Protecting Parker Sonnet Gold Ring Nearest The Nib And Feed

[ccvinylman]

Just wondering if I can protect the finish and shine of the ring at the end of the section on a Parker Sonnet FP with a judicious application of a thin layer of silicone grease. Actually, I'm thinking of trying it, and I have no reason to believe it can't hurt but might help.

 

Nevertheless, I'm wondering if any Sonnet fans out there have tried this or perhaps have another way of protecting the finish and shine on this incredibly thin ring. Now I'm not talking about slathering big goops of silicone grease on it, just the thinnest of coatings, which I assume would hardly be noticeable, if at all.

 

My latest use for silicone grease, by the way, was converting a Parker 51 desk pen from an aerometric filler to a eyedropper filler. I used a very small O-ring (available from a local hardware store, but also available from GouletPens--no commercial connection with them) to butt up against the section, just above the threads, and I then coated the threads with the grease. Works great. Note, however, you'll need to apply a dollop of HOT GLUE to the very end of the barrel, as it has a tiny pinhole which will leak ink if you don't seal it!!

[Nvidiot]

The gold plating on most of the ring on my Sonnet has worn off. On the one hand I'm sad about it, on the other hand, it's a tool to be used, not to stay in a box to be looked at That said, if anyone has any good suggestions I'll try it if I ever buy another Sonnet

[Tom Heath]

Gold plating is difficult to maintain for the long haul

My suggestion is to keep it clean. Rarely apply polish

always use a soft cloth..

[kirchh]

I think there's a very good reason that for a century, the makers of top-quality pens didn't put plated trim rings at the front of the section: because it's a terrible idea. it is inevitable that the ring will be attacked by the moisture in the area and the plating will pinhole, blister, flake, and fail. As a repairperson, I see this routinely.

 

Modern penmakers at all price levels have sacrificed durability for (what they believe are) aesthetics. Apparently, buyers agree with this tradeoff. To me, it's disgraceful.

 

--Daniel

[shahrincamille]

Will a thin layer of clear nail polish help?

 

Shahrin

[VivienR]

The gold plating on most of the ring on my Sonnet has worn off. On the one hand I'm sad about it, on the other hand, it's a tool to be used, not to stay in a box to be looked at That said, if anyone has any good suggestions I'll try it if I ever buy another Sonnet

 

Just for my curiosity, what's your timeframe to wear of that ring?

I using my daily Sonnet intensively since bit more than a year, although there are tiny marks, its still okay.

[pajaro]

I think there's a very good reason that for a century, the makers of top-quality pens didn't put plated trim rings at the front of the section: because it's a terrible idea. it is inevitable that the ring will be attacked by the moisture in the area and the plating will pinhole, blister, flake, and fail. As a repairperson, I see this routinely.

 

Modern penmakers at all price levels have sacrificed durability for (what they believe are) aesthetics. Apparently, buyers agree with this tradeoff. To me, it's disgraceful.

 

--Daniel

 

I completely agree with this. My first experience with this was with a Montblanc 144 that had to go to Montblanc service for a new section for $80, some years ago. The trim ring came off, and the cap wouldn't stay on the pen. It appeared that the trim ring was part of the friction fit of the cap.

 

The Sonnet rings can come off. Interestingly Parker didn't use a trim ring on their Insignia section, and the Insignia section is interchangeable with Sonnet.

[Nvidiot]

 

Just for my curiosity, what's your timeframe to wear of that ring?

I using my daily Sonnet intensively since bit more than a year, although there are tiny marks, its still okay.

I got the Sonnet in 2007, but I haven't used it very often since then. After a few years it dissapeared into a drawer without the ink being cleaned out first, I've only recently cleaned it up and after doing that I saw that the gold plating has dissapeared. (Cleaning was done with hand-warm water only)