How do you guys clean nibs?

[NewEnthusiast]

As the title says, how do you clean out the nibs of your fountain pens prior to changing ink colours?

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[jar]

Minimally. Generally less cleaning is best. If it is a cartridge/converter pen get an ear bulb from the local pharmacy. Otherwise use the filling system to flush it out. But do no more than just flushing.

In the old days we just filled with the newer color and watch the color change over time.

[blue16613]

Flush till clear.
Use cool (not cold) water.

[jmiicustomz]

With water and a very gentle ultrasonic cleaner. I will point out that I own no steel or gold plated nibs.

To know the future is to be trapped by it

[Formulansx]

It depends on the filling system. I've found my crescent fillers need to be left filled with water overnight to get them completely clean. I suppose you could just refill after it runs clear but your new ink will mix slightly with the previous a little over 24hrs. Piston fillers are all different. Some come clean without leaving water in them overnight. My Visconti vac filler, I don't think, has ever been completely clean from the previous ink unless I pull the piston or nib Converters could stand to be left overnight with water to get all the ink around the plunger out. You could always just clean another converter ahead of time and drop it right in. I'm not so much worried about ink mixing in the pens but ink mixing back in the bottle when I refill. I purge the filler a couple times back in the ink bottle to clear the water out. There's the possibility the previous ink in the pen could flush back in the new bottle. I have some ink wells to mitigate this but I have so many pens in my rotation I need to keep adding water to the inkwells to keep them from drying out. First world pen problems

[Bisquitlips]

Originally Posted by jar

Minimally. Generally less cleaning is best. If it is a cartridge/converter pen get an ear bulb from the local pharmacy. Otherwise use the filling system to flush it out. But do no more than just flushing.

In the old days we just filled with the newer color and watch the color change over time.

I agree! Minimal is best.

I clean my pens on occasion, but don't have a nervous tick about it.

You can go as far as some and disassemble the pen completely, but I have never found that necessary. You can soak the nib / section in some water over night with a small drop of dish soap and this will typically correct any problems.

[Passionata]

demi water , works well .

[Rafael M]

Originally Posted by blue16613

flush till clear.
Use cool (not cold) water.

+1

[Frosty]

I use lukewarm water and flush until almost clear, depending on the color of ink I am replacing it with. If I am replacing with darker ink, I will flush less. If I am replacing with lighter ink, more.

This also seems to work well in old fountain pens that have had the ink dry.

[Bisquitlips]

Truthfully, nibs are self cleaning if you use them regularly.

I don't clean my nibs unless they need it. Filling it with the next load of ink and writing with it really does work well.

There will be times that our pens need to be cleaned, but I wouldn't and don't make it a religion. But again.... that is just me.

Pens are to enjoy not worry about.