Never Ever Soak An Elysee Section

[alexwi]

Hi,

 

I got an Elysee pen with serious flow issues, so I decided to take apart the section to give it a good cleaning.

 

The nib came out, but the feed didn't and, feeling somewhat lazy to unpack the ultrasonic cleaner and not having time to deal with it right away, I opted to let it soak instead - by the end of the week, after whatever gunk was holding it in, should come loose and it should be possible to pull the feed out, right?

 

Wrong. Terribly so.

 

When I finally had a chance to deal with it today, the finish on the section had corroded.

 

I sanded it a bit, so now I know that the section is made of brass (actually, it looks more like copper, which is a rather odd choice).

 

Looks like I'll be doing my first experiments with applying lacquer in the near future. Would be ideal if I could remove the gold-plated hardware from the section somehow (ideas welcome), so it will be easier to sand.

 

Before I do anything to the pen, I'll be experimenting with black nail polish or brush-applied car paint on some brass hardware.

 

If anyone has suggestions, they're MORE than welcome.

 

In the meantime, hopefully others will benefit from another of my "new experiences."

 

Now feel free to poke fun at me...

 

alex

 

 

[Mr.Rene]

[tamiya]

Are you good at painting tiny fiddle bits?

 

I'd make a hash of it... think I'd rather just apply some shrinkwrap to give section a rubbery feel.

 

 

There are some pens that aren't waterproof. Once I soaked a Sheaffer and the clip rusted off the cap. Others the section swelled and the innards fell out.

[TheDutchGuy]

That's unfortunate, I'm sorry to see that... I've got a nice Elysee and indeed the section seems to be the part on which time takes its toll. It's got emotional value so I rarely ink the pen, to preserve it as much as possible.

[chunya]

I do sympathise, water can be a nightmare! Even when using an ultrasonic bath as I did.

 

Yesterday I decided to spend a little time on some old pens that have been waiting for ages for new sacs etc. This old Platignum was first to hand and only seemed to need a new sac, but the section was very stiff. Not sure about the clear bit of section I wasn't going to risk using the hair dryer on it ..... so I did get out the ultrasonic cleaner and popped it in, timed for 180 seconds. Guess what? I got distracted and only saw it today when I was making the morning coffee! The barrel has swollen so much that the nib and section literally dropped out. Not too much of a disaster, I thought, I can always build it up to make a snug fit ... then I went to try to screw the cap onto the barrel. The barrel had swollen so much that the gentlest or turns cracked the cap lid.

I'm only grateful that it was only a cheap pen ... but it is pretty, so I'll still see if I can restore it for a daily user.

 

[alexwi]

I've been doing some research and found two leads regarding what direction to take with this. Unfortunately, it'll be a few months before I get to it.

There was a 2015 reddit thread about someone having painted an entire pen with nail polish and I was lucky enough to get a reply from the OP regarding how it was holding up. Not long after applying acrylic clear-coat to the pen, it turned hazy.

His recommendation, since this is only the section, was to go with engine paint, which is less prone to corrosion (and possibly erosion), as opposed to Krylon, which is what force used to paint Carenes - https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/260818-carene-project-looms/page-2

I also have to figure out how to mask the rings of the section, especially the one by the nib, as its profile makes using masking tape a challenge. There are masking fluids out there, but they're usually used for watercolors, not spray paints with God knows what solvents, so I'll be experimenting with rubber cement and some brass fittings to see how it goes, and take it from there.

 

After doing a bit more sanding last night, it turns out that the section is copper-plated brass, in case this is somehow relevant (I've never seen anything like this, but hey, there's a lot I've never seen).

 

Thanks for all your kind support!

 

Alex

Edited December 3, 2018 by alexwi