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Fountain Pen Ink Not Flowing? Flush with Plain Water and Dry

Based on LAMY and Pilot guidance, learn a gentle plain-water flush for dried ink in a converter and nib. Avoid soap and forced disassembly; your model manual takes priority.

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Ink can dry in the nib and feed when a pen sits unused or ink colors are changed. LAMY recommends flushing a converter repeatedly with plain water and, where supported, soaking only the removable front section. Never assume the entire pen body can be immersed.

Your try-it-at-home checklist

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Identify whether your pen uses a cartridge, converter, or piston, then read its own manual. Special mechanisms can require different care.
Cover the work surface and remove the cartridge or converter only as directed. Never pull the nib or force apart the feed.
For a converter-compatible pen, repeatedly draw in and expel clean plain water until the discharged water is mostly clear.
If ink is crusted, soak only a removable front section when your manual explicitly permits it. Do not immerse a capless mechanism, delicate finishes, or the entire body.
Blot the nib with a soft cloth or absorbent paper and let the permitted parts dry fully. Do not add soap, detergent or alcohol, or scrape the nib.
Refill with compatible fountain-pen ink once dry and test the flow. If it still skips, seek manufacturer service rather than applying force.

Your try-it-at-home checklist

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