Parker Pen Refills.

[rebelboy]

My Parker pen ran out of ink today. I have 4 x2 packs of refills but none of them now work. They are about 3 years old but were still packaged. I've tried warming the point, rolling in my hands, but no luck. Years ago someone told me a foolproof method to get them to work bit I've forgotten what it was.

Anyone have any ideas?

[Davemano]

Try scribbling with them on a clean piece of paper.   Persevere for a few minutes.

[rebelboy]

Tried that, Dave. But will persevere. Thanks and HNY to you.

[vulcan42]

I've sometimes found putting the tip in hot water helps.

[gulliver1]

WD 40 ?

[Gizmonster]

I've always managed to revive pens by rolling them in my hands and then holding the refill in my hand and blowing in the top for a few seconds.  Do this a few times each and see if that helps  :)

[rockyracoon]

I'd try a bowl of warmish water if the rolling in hands didn't work.

[gingejbee]

^Parker pen refills are sealed at the top.

I'm wondering if these are genuine Parker refills, or cheap "will fit Parker pens" refills? I've used genuine ones several years old and they've worked first time.

[Tilly2]

Are you talking about ink cartridges?

 

[gingejbee]

^We are all assuming ball-point refills.

[brainiac]

Hairdrier?

[gingejbee]

Sounds like the ink has set hard around the ball. Leaving the tip in alcohol (I always have a supply of isopropyl alcohol in the house - useful for so many things) can free it. There again, the ink may have set in the actual refill - so not much you can do.

[rebelboy]

Many thanks for all your replies. Much appreciated. I've tried them all(apart from the alcohol one) but with no success.

They are genuine (WH Smith bought) ballpoint refills.

Forgive the pun but am just going to have to write them off.

[gingejbee]

...and no point in fretting about them!