Can ink dry in new cartridges?

[hariharan]

I recently got two dozens of unused but old waterman cartridges. I inserted one and faced some starting issues. On dipping the same in another ink bottle, it went on, but in a couple of days with very mild usage, the ink dried up. I was surprised to see no fluid inside the cartridge. 

 

Curiously, when i looked the other carts, none of them had ink. It just had stained coloured walls. These cartridges were sealed and unopened. 

 

Is it possible that the carts over time can dry its ink? I found it bit hard to believe. There are few dark patches (refer image) but it doesnt move. It looks like it dried inside.

 

(Sorry for the poor image)

[IThinkIHaveAProblem]

Yes. If you look on eBay you can usually find old carts that have literally gone dry still in the box. I guess the plastics used must let some evaporation happen and on a long enough time scale, it totally dries out. 

[hariharan]

18 minutes ago, IThinkIHaveAProblem said:

Yes. If you look on eBay you can usually find old carts that have literally gone dry still in the box. I guess the plastics used must let some evaporation happen and on a long enough time scale, it totally dries out. 

Oh Ok, that makes sense. Perhaps, i should inject a drop of water using a syringe and then use it. 

[Mr.Rene]

9 hours ago, hariharan said:

 

Is it possible that the carts over time can dry its ink? I found it bit hard to believe. There are few dark patches (refer image) but it doesnt move. It looks like it dried inside.

 

 

 

Yes it does..all the time. Plastic is a porous material and lost water regularly...doesn't care cartridge brand if it is plastic...the original old glass cartridge was not a bad idea,

Best regards.

[IThinkIHaveAProblem]

11 hours ago, hariharan said:

Oh Ok, that makes sense. Perhaps, i should inject a drop of water using a syringe and then use it. 

I suppose that is an option. 

[Penguincollector]

I have a ton of old carts and I syringe water into them, and if they are too dry writing afterwards, dip the syringe in dish soap and insert it in the cartridge. I have very little issues with this method.

[amberleadavis]

I've added distilled water and had a lot of fun with the dried cartridges.  Also, you can refill with fresh ink when you are done with whatever ink you have.