How do you get the ink to work in a pen that is old, but has not been used at all? Thanks.
Linda Sue
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Most ballpoints can be made to work if you heat up the tip and or the top of the ink, to make the ink flow. It's probably dried out at the top.
What pamphyila said. Try a lighter on the metal tip but is it looks like it is too sensite (might melt) try just perching it across a hot cup of water (or coffee) for a while.
Ball point pen? Heat the tip in a lighted match for a few seconds to get the ink flowing.
LadyBee said it, light a match, or use a lighter, and hold the tip very gently over the match or lighter for several, or a few seconds, not so close as to melt the tip or the barrel of the pen, but close enough to heat the tip, and then use the tip to "scribble" for a few seconds, then the ink should start to flow again.
You may have to try this a couple of times to get the ink flowing.
Grasp the end opposite of the tip and shake it like an old fashioned thermometer.
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How do you get old ink pens to write?
By Barbara from Cadiz, KY
Soaking them for a while in a cup of hot water will work also. (03/24/2009)
By Julie
Use a match and heat the tip of the pen, it should start the ink flowing. But be careful that the heat from the match doesn't melt the pen. (03/24/2009)
By Marjorie
The match works on most pens, but inexpensive pens have plastic tips that will melt over the heat, so be careful. There is nothing worse than cleaning ink stains from clothing! (03/27/2009)
By susan
When my students' pens don't work, I put them over a burning match. If the pen isn't empty, 7 out of 10 times it gets the ink flowing.
By Kathleen Cochran
You can also hold the pen to a lit, very warm, light bulb. This usually works for me.
(03/17/2005)
