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How to Handle a Ballpoint Pen with Dry Ink

November 9, 2023 by admin Category: How To

You are viewing the article How to Handle a Ballpoint Pen with Dry Ink  at Tnhelearning.edu.vn you can quickly access the necessary information in the table of contents of the article below.

Ballpoint pens are a widely used writing tool due to their convenience and durability. However, one common frustration that arises when using a ballpoint pen is that the ink can sometimes dry out, leading to a less than smooth writing experience. Dealing with a ballpoint pen with dry ink can be frustrating, especially when you are in the middle of an important task. In this guide, we will explore effective strategies on how to handle a ballpoint pen with dry ink, allowing you to revive your pen and continue writing effortlessly. Whether you are a student, professional, or simply someone who loves jotting down their thoughts, these tips will help you overcome the annoyance of dry ballpoint pen ink and keep your writing flow uninterrupted.

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This article is co-authored by a team of editors and trained researchers who confirm the accuracy and completeness of the article.

The wikiHow Content Management team carefully monitors the work of editors to ensure that every article is up to a high standard of quality.

There are 12 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.

This article has been viewed 59,591 times.

Ballpoint pens use smooth ink, which is resistant to drying and responds very well to different pressures. Unfortunately, ballpoint pens also sometimes clog. If you’ve tried drawing circles on scratch paper without success, don’t rush to throw the pen away. Try simple tricks like heating the tip of the pen or dipping it in a household solvent to re-melt the ink. Note that you won’t always be able to fix ballpoint pen problems – you may need a different pen or ink cartridge if these tips don’t work.

Table of Contents

  • Steps
    • Using heat to restore ballpoint pens
    • Make ink flow with solvents
    • Handling clogged ink by friction and gravity
  • Advice

Steps

Using heat to restore ballpoint pens

Image titled Restart a Dry Ball Point Pen Step 2

Image titled Restart a Dry Ball Point Pen Step 2

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Soak the ballpoint pen in hot water for 5 minutes to avoid using fire. If you are afraid of scalding or burning the pen, you can use hot water to warm the ink. [1] X Research Source Boil water in a kettle or saucepan on the stove, then pour boiling water into a cup. Soak the tip of the pen in a cup of hot water for 5 minutes, then take it out and write a test on the paper.

  • If the pen has metal parts, you should dry it thoroughly to prevent rust. You can also disassemble the pen and just submerge the ink cartridge in water if you don’t want the pen case to get wet.
Image titled Restart a Dry Ball Point Pen Step 3

Image titled Restart a Dry Ball Point Pen Step 3

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Use a hair dryer or manual heat gun to warm the pen more gently. If you find the fire or boiling water too harsh, you can warm the tip and ink cartridge with a hair dryer on high heat. If you want a little more heat, you can use a manual heat gun. Heat the tip of the pen for a few seconds at a time, then test to see if it works. [2] X Research Source

  • Don’t use industrial heat guns! It gets extremely hot and can melt the pen.
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Image titled Restart a Dry Ball Point Pen Step 1

Image titled Restart a Dry Ball Point Pen Step 1

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Hold the tip of the ballpoint pen over the flame for a few seconds to unclog the ink. Use a lighter, match or candle to create a flame, then hold the tip of the pen over the flame for a few seconds. Many times the heat of the flame will melt the dry ink near the tip of the pen, and the ballpoint pen will write again. [3] X Research Sources

  • Be careful not to burn or melt the pen. Only hold the tip of the pen over the flame, and do not hold it for longer than 2-3 seconds.
  • If you are afraid of melting the pen case, you should remove the ink cartridge first. This will make it easier for you to hold the tip of the pen.
  • Draw on the paper immediately to let the ink flow and test to see if the pen can write.

Tip: Wrap foil around the tip of the pen to separate the tip from the flame, but it may take longer for the ink to warm up and reflow. [4] X Research Sources

Make ink flow with solvents

Image titled Restart a Dry Ball Point Pen Step 6

Image titled Restart a Dry Ball Point Pen Step 6

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Dab a little saliva on the tip of the pen to lubricate the ball. It sounds gross, but saliva can act as a lubricant or mild solvent to unclog the tip. If you’re afraid to lick the tip of the pen, dab some saliva on your fingertip or tissue and press the tip into it. Write a test on the paper to see if the ink has melted. [5] X Research Sources

  • Ballpoint pen ink is not classified as toxic, so don’t worry about getting sick when licking the tip of the pen. Ingredients that are considered to be mildly toxic, such as glycp, are only present in such small amounts that they are not harmful. [6] X Research Sources
Image titled Restart a Dry Ball Point Pen Step 4

Image titled Restart a Dry Ball Point Pen Step 4

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Dip the tip of the pen in rubbing alcohol to dissolve the clump of ink that clogs the pen. If some of the ink in the pen has dried out, you can re-flow the ink by diluting it slightly with rubbing alcohol. Pour some alcohol into a cup or small bowl and dip the pen in, then write a test on the paper to see if it works. [7] X Research Sources

  • Most ballpoint pens use oil-based inks, which is also one of the reasons why it’s so difficult to remove ballpoint pen ink stains from clothes. Solvents such as alcohol will help dilute oil-based inks more effectively than water.
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Try acetone if alcohol doesn’t work. Acetone is a stronger solvent than alcohol, which can help unclog pens if the alcohol isn’t strong enough. Dip the tip of the pen in a little acetone-based nail polish remover and see if that works. [8] X Research Sources

  • Acetone emits toxic gases, so you need to work in a well-ventilated area.
  • Try to dip only the tip of the pen tip in acetone, as this chemical can damage many plastics. [9] X Research Source

Tip: If alcohol or acetone is not available, you can use kerosene, unscented white gasoline, or WD-40 oil.

Handling clogged ink by friction and gravity

Image titled Restart a Dry Ball Point Pen Step 5

Image titled Restart a Dry Ball Point Pen Step 5

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Swipe the tip of the pen over the rubber surface to roll the ballpoint. If you’ve already rubbed the tip of a ballpoint pen on paper and it didn’t work, you can sometimes get the ballpoint to move by rubbing the tip of the pen against the rubber surface. You can swipe the tip of the pen over the eraser, even the soles of your shoes. [10] X Research Source

  • Some people find that swiping a pen on a glass surface (such as a hand mirror) also helps a clogged ballpoint pen to rewrite. [11] X Research Source
Image titled Restart a Dry Ball Point Pen Step 7

Image titled Restart a Dry Ball Point Pen Step 7

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Swipe the ballpoint pen to let the ink flow down into the ink tube. Sometimes ballpoint pens don’t write because there are gaps or air bubbles separating the ink in the ink tube and the tip of the pen. Take the tip of the pen and shake it a few times like an old-fashioned glass thermometer, then write to see if the ink has come out. [12] X Research Source

  • You can also try tapping the pen vigorously against a hard surface, such as the edge of a table.

Tip: To keep the ink flowing from the tip of the pen, it’s a good idea to stick the tip down in a cup or pen holder.

  • Image titled Restart a Dry Ball Point Pen Step 8

    Image titled Restart a Dry Ball Point Pen Step 8

    {“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/e/e2/Restart-a-Dry-Ball-Point-Pen-Step-8-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px- Restart-a-Dry-Ball-Point-Pen-Step-8-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/e/e2/Restart-a- Dry-Ball-Point-Pen-Step-8-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Restart-a-Dry-Ball-Point-Pen-Step-8-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}
    Use a cotton swab to push the ink down into the large diameter ink tube. If your pen has a large ink tube, you can push the ink towards the tip of the pen. Remove the pen cover and remove the ink cartridge, then remove the ink cartridge cover. Use a cotton swab to gently push the liquid in the ink tube. Reinsert the pen and try writing. [13] X Research Source

    • If the cotton swab doesn’t fit because the ink tube is too narrow, you can use a smaller object, such as a paper clip.
    • Immediately throw the ink-stained cotton swab in the trash to prevent ink from spilling onto other objects.
  • Advice

    • Some luxury ballpoint pens have replaceable or refillable ink cartridges. If you want to keep the pen but don’t get the ink flowing again, look online or go to a stationery store to buy an ink cartridge. Remember to choose the right ink for your pen type.
    • Some ballpoint pens or ink tubes have a small cap on the tip to protect the tip and prevent dripping. Remember to remove this cap before writing test.
    • While some of the tips above may help, there’s no guaranteed way to get the ballpoint pen working again. If your pen still won’t work and you can’t easily change the cartridge, it may be time to buy a new pen.
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    X

    This article is co-authored by a team of editors and trained researchers who confirm the accuracy and completeness of the article.

    The wikiHow Content Management team carefully monitors the work of editors to ensure that every article is up to a high standard of quality.

    There are 12 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.

    This article has been viewed 59,591 times.

    Ballpoint pens use smooth ink, which is resistant to drying and responds very well to different pressures. Unfortunately, ballpoint pens also sometimes clog. If you’ve tried drawing circles on scratch paper without success, don’t rush to throw the pen away. Try simple tricks like heating the tip of the pen or dipping it in a household solvent to re-melt the ink. Note that you won’t always be able to fix ballpoint pen problems – you may need a different pen or ink cartridge if these tips don’t work.

    In conclusion, knowing how to handle a ballpoint pen with dry ink is crucial in order to avoid frustration and maintain smooth writing. By following the steps outlined in this guide, such as using light pressure, storing the pen properly, and applying remedies to revive dry ink, individuals can extend the lifespan of their pen and ensure consistent ink flow. Additionally, regularly cleaning and maintaining pens is essential to prevent ink from drying out in the first place. By implementing these practices, users can reduce waste, save money, and enjoy a more pleasant writing experience.

    Thank you for reading this post How to Handle a Ballpoint Pen with Dry Ink at Tnhelearning.edu.vn You can comment, see more related articles below and hope to help you with interesting information.

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