Filling, cleaning, and troubleshooting a nib

Filling, cleaning, and troubleshooting a nib — complete step-by-step guide
This guide teaches you how to fill a fountain-pen-style nib, keep it clean, and diagnose common writing problems so your tools stay reliable and feel excellent on the page.

Tools and supplies
•     Ink bottle, cartridge, or converter depending on pen type.
•     Clean cup or bowl of cool, running water.
•     Soft lint-free cloths or paper towels.
•     Bulb syringe or pen flush (for stubborn clogs).
•     Rubber gloves (optional).
•     Magnifier or loupe for close inspection.
•     Smooth paper for test-writing.

How to fill your nib (3 common methods)
1.     Cartridge
•     Remove the pen’s barrel, pull out the empty cartridge, and discard.
•     Insert a fresh cartridge firmly until you feel it seat and the nib receives ink.
•     Give the pen a few gentle shakes point-down and test on scrap paper until ink flows.
2.     Converter
•     Attach the converter to the section like a cartridge.
•     Submerge the nib in the ink bottle, operate the converter to draw ink up, then expel and refill once to flush air pockets.
•     Wipe the nib and feed, reassemble, and test on paper.
3.     Eyedropper or piston-fill
•     Unscrew the barrel, fill the barrel with ink, reassemble carefully, and wipe excess ink from the section and threads.•     Test on paper and keep a sealed spare rag handy for any small leaks.
Use cool water for rinsing and avoid hot water or alcohol unless manufacturer guidance allows a solvent flush for specific inks.

Daily quick clean (after heavy use or color change)
•     Flush the nib and section with cool water until the water runs clear.
•     If using a converter, draw water in and expel several times to flush the feed.
•     Dry the nib gently with a lint-free cloth and let parts air-dry fully before reassembly.

Monthly maintenance and full deep clean
•     Disassemble the pen following manufacturer steps.
•     Soak nib and feed in cool water for a few hours, changing water periodically.
•     Use a bulb syringe or converter to force water through the feed to dislodge dried particles.
•     If color change is needed, continue flushing until runs clear.
•     For persistent residue use a pen flush solution sparingly, then rinse thoroughly with water.

Troubleshooting common writing problems (what to check and how to fix)
•     Hard starts or skipping
•     Check ink level first and refill if low.
•     Flush nib/feed; trapped air or dried ink often causes starts.
•     Prime the feed by dipping nib in ink and drawing the converter a few times, then test on paper.
•     Scratchy or harsh feel
•     Inspect tines under a loupe for misalignment or burrs.
•     If tines are misaligned, realign gently with thin tools or seek a professional nib technician.
•     Light polishing on ultra-fine micro-mesh by an experienced hand can smooth a rough tip.
•     Poor or excessive ink flow
•     Poor flow: flush feed thoroughly; check for dried ink, air gaps in converter, or a clogged feed.
•     Excessive flow or blotting: ensure nib and feed are clean, try a dryer ink or a finer nib size, and check for cracks in the nib or feed seating issues.
•     Ink skips after sitting
•     Flush the pen, prime the feed, and write quickly in a downward motion to re-establish a steady flow.
•     Store the pen nib-up if you won’t use it for days to reduce leakage and dry starts.
•     Nib alignment and tipping damage
•     Do not press hard; heavy pressure bends tines or deforms tipping material.
•     If tipping is damaged, stop using the pen and seek repair from a professional nib grinder or service center.

Step-by-step quick fixes you can try now
1.     Flush nib and feed with cool water until clear.
2.     Refill ink and prime feed by drawing/expelling with the converter.
3.     Test-write on smooth paper in short fast strokes.
4.     If still skipping, soak nib/feed 30–60 minutes and repeat flush.
5.     If scratchiness remains, inspect tines with a loupe before attempting any polishing or realignment.
Frequent cleaning is the most reliable first fix; many issues clear with a thorough flush and re-prime.

Preventive habits that keep nibs happy
•     Clean before switching ink brands or colors.
•     Use appropriate paper and avoid cheap, highly absorbent stock that damages tipping.
•     Store pens nib-up if unused for multiple days.
•     Rotate inks and perform a deep clean monthly if you use many colors or pigment-heavy inks.
•     Keep a small maintenance kit (syringe, cloth, spare converter) with your workshop tools.

When to seek professional help
•     Tines visibly bent, tipping chipped, or metal cracked.
•     Persistent flow or feedback problems after repeated cleaning and light tuning attempts.
•     Desire for nib smoothing, tipping reshaping, or custom grind—these require a qualified nib technician or service to avoid irreversible damage.

Closing note
Keep cleaning simple and regular, use the right filling method for your pen, and work through troubleshooting in order from easiest (flush and refill) to more advanced (tine tuning or professional repair). Reliable writing comes from matched ink, careful storage, and small routine maintenance that honors the tool’s craftsmanship.