Make Dried Up Ballpoint Pens Write Again

A simple way to make dried up ballpoint pens write well again:

I always store them with the nib side down, sometimes even without the cap, so that the ink flows out of the nib a bit (and inside the penstand, but you never notice it if the penstand is black)

This clears the dried up ink from the nib, and makes the pen write like new.

No mess involved.

There are other options, like keeping the nib near a flame, or warming up the entire pen, but the method I have described does not involve any of the trouble.

Photo credit: amagill

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Comments:

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I don't get it. What is a nib...as in "nib side down"?

Posted by anonymous on April 07, 2010 5:03 PM

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@anonymous:
Nib: the writing point of a pen.
I'm sorry, but what else do we call it?

Posted by Arthi on April 08, 2010 9:07 AM

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I usually call it the tip or the point..never heard the expression 'nib' before.

Posted by Trish on April 08, 2010 10:29 AM

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Some years ago, everyone would have known what a nib is. There were metal pen points that fitted into a holder and were dipped in a bottle of ink. One could write several lines before needing to dip the pen again. They were a huge improvement over the quill (feather) pen, which I believe was their immediate predecessor. I used a nib pen a few times before the ballpoint pen was invented in about 1946 when I was a freshman in high school.

My question is, does anyone know of another way to revive ballpoint pens? Years ago I read in a column of helpful hints that if one would stand the pen, point down, in a certain fluid, it would revive and be good for several more months. The fluid mentioned was one that artists use, but I have no idea now what that might be. I tried rubbing alcohol and it didn't really work. I must have two dozen dried-out ballpoints and would darly love to revive them. Can anyone help?

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Editor's Note: This question has been given its own page. You can find it here: http://www.tiphero.com/tips_2478_got-any-other-tips-for-how-to-revive-ballpoint- pens.html

Posted by Jane M. M. on April 08, 2010 2:22 PM

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Jane M.M.
If you don't find an answer try an art supply store. Probably not one like a craft store, but mainly art supplies. They might know. Wonder if it's a type of turpetine paint thinner or something.

Linda

Posted by anonymous on April 08, 2010 2:42 PM

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Jane M. M.,
I'm guessing the fluid is glycerin, because I have read about it years back but not tried it myself.

Be careful please, trying with a tiny drop of glycerin first, because if the ink becomes runny, you end up with a mess all around that you cannot wash off.

I come from India, where we still refer to the writing tip of a pen as a Nib.

Posted by Arthi on April 08, 2010 2:56 PM

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Odorless brush cleaner. Used for painting with oils.

Posted by Weston on April 08, 2010 3:55 PM

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We leaned in design/drafting school to store pencils and ink pens with the tips UP. This keeps pencil points from dulling and pens from leaking and causing globs of ink that get all over your hands and papers. When a propertly stored pen no longer writes, throw it out and buy a pack of new ones for a buck.

Felt-tip markers should be stored with the tips DOWN. This keeps the felt from drying out.

Posted by Jo on April 08, 2010 5:23 PM

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can heat with a match or lighter, if one is not a child. just the tip and then write, (but if too much plastic, it will fall off) works better with metal above the point or nib.

Posted by anonymous on April 08, 2010 6:25 PM

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Does anyone else here remember that Bic ballpoint pen commercial with the ice skater attaching the pen to her skate, doing a little routine, then heating the NIB with a flame and the pen wrote just fine after? "Bic, writes first time, every time."

I am so old. LOL

Posted by Kimberley on April 08, 2010 8:40 PM

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YES I remember that Bic commercial . . I was amazed . . and no , you aren't old!!!! HA .

I remember 'scratching ' the tip on the sides of the black inset burners on our gas stove, we still do that at times. . sometimes it works if the pen hasn't been used in quite a while. . . i guess it gets the dirt/dust out of the tip and the pen writes again . . . if it doesn't write, i just give up and buy a cpl pens at the dollar store - it's easier!!

Posted by anonymous on April 15, 2010 9:18 PM

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every time i have done that the pen makes a big mess when you go to write with it

Posted by anonymous on April 16, 2010 9:28 AM

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Be careful if you try to heat up the tip.... actually, I probably would not attempt this. Someone I know tried this with a match and the pen still did not work. She threw the pen in the trash. She did not realize that the pen was still warm and it started a fire. The entire house burned down!
Be careful and be aware! In the long run, purchasing a new pen would be much cheaper!

Posted by anonymous on April 17, 2010 8:45 AM

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I guess i didn't make my post plain . . sorry. i never turned on the gas AT ALL , , , the stove was COLD , --- we just scratched the pen to the side of the burners ( NOT turned on) because they have a scratchy side to them and helped get the dust off the tip - or nib - . . we never 'heated' our pens at all ! It worked everytime for us unless they were so old we just pitched them.

Posted by anonymous on April 18, 2010 2:35 PM

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Store pens, markers, crayons, etc. in 'zip-lock' bags. Place new ones in the fridge, used in another zip-lock in your desk, bag or briefcase. It keeps the pens from going dry and protects surfaces from leaks.

Posted by anonymous on May 12, 2010 11:47 PM

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The more vertical you hold a ball point pen the darker it writes. Try it with your problem pen. Then find a pen that feels better when the nib is vertical.
I have found putting a ballpoint in a roller ball pen seems to help with this problem.

john Browne

Posted by john Browne on January 30, 2011 8:53 PM

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I'm of the old school and find it difficult to throw away anything remotely useful. I discovered a 12 pack of Paper Mate Eagle pens in an open pack that wouldn't write. After reading through this forum I ran downstairs and held the Paper Mate with the nib down and let the Instant-Hot kitchen tap run for awhile. I tested the pen on a throw away newspaper AND IT WORKED.
I'm comfortable now.

Posted by atticishome on June 07, 2012 4:12 PM

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The hot water trick is a better way, the ink solidifies thats why it won't flow. I've used a lighter or a match but it's to easy to melt the nylon tube above the metal tip as the heat is transmitted through the metal nib quickly.

Posted by l.d.meyer on June 14, 2012 3:13 PM

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Dip markers in white vinegar and they will work again

Posted by Keervine on June 18, 2012 7:43 AM

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I am not sure about the first tip... I always place the nib down and they still dry out. I now have 20 pens - different brands all placed nibs down. They are now ALL dry. I tried constant doodling, heat with flame, dip in solvent, shake the pen violently with nib pointing away... Some worked for a few words and then stopped working and have absolutely no effect for others. NONE of the methods is really working. I think the manufacturers can solve the problem, but they don't want to.

Posted by IfThenElse on July 24, 2012 10:12 AM

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