I've recently bought a set of 7 Koh-I-Noor rapidogragh pens. ?

Question: I've recently bought a set of 7 Koh-I-Noor rapidogragh pens!. !?

I got them new on E-bay for ￡23 including postage from the US which has got to be good! My problem is with cleaning them, can anyone suggest a link to a UK based site that supplies Koh-I-Noor cleaning accessories etc!. particularly the vacuum pump!? Can I use Rotring cleaning fluid on them!? That's two questions I know but if you know the answer to the first it's very likely you'll know the answers to both! Thanks!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

You don't need any kind of "vacuum pump" to clean your Rapidograph parts!. As long as you clean them often, and, when you do, let them soak for a long time, you should be fine!. Any kind of pen cleaning fluid will work fine, including the Rotring brand!. It's not the brand of pen that determines the right kind of cleaning solution, it is the ink!.

Learn how to properly, and COMPLETELY disassemble the Rapidograph points!. You CAN take them right down to the weighted wire part that gets shaken up and down and draws the ink into the point!. But you have to be VERY careful this does not get bent!.

I used to use some fairly exotic pigments in my Rapidographs, including artist's goache, water colors and even tempra paints!. Some pretty thick fluids, sometimes, so, immediate clean up was critical!.

Next time you purchase pen cleaners, get one of those in wide mouth jar that has the plastic "basket" that you can place the tiny parts in, and retrieve them without losing any small pieces!. I forgot who manufactures this ink cleaner, but you should be able to find it at ANY art supply store and most office supply stores!.

I once published a handbook on "The Care and Feeding of Mechanical Drawing Pens!."Www@QuestionHome@Com