Polishing Plastic Pens: Permissible or Prohibited?

[The Nid Hog]

I got a red Esterbrook last week and it glistened like it was brand new. Used pens on display in stores and shows have that same bright and shiny look. I have a couple of old and lovingly used plastic pens that would be very happy if I could restore them to something like their former luster. I've heard whispered suggestions to polish them with Simichrome or Flitz, but I don't want to do anything without some adult supervision. Could some of you more experienced guys share your techniques?

[HesNot]

I've used simichrome to polish a few pens - with good results. The key for me at least was to use the simichrome sparingly, polish by hand erring on the side of more rubs with less pressure than the opposite, and take it slowly.

Under no circumstances should you try to use a Dremel or similar tool even on a slow setting. Some folks do use them but the risk is quite great that you'll ruin your pen using one if you don't know exactly what you are doing. The fast rotation with a polish can build up heat fast and melt/mar a pen rather quickly.

Seriously though there is no rush so just go slowly. There are as many critics of Simichrome as advocates mostly due to the ability for someone to have a polishing session go badly.

I have heard others use Tamiya polishing compounds which are designed for plastic - if you can find them they may be a safer and gentler alternative.

[nemo]

Good advice from HesNot.

I use Wenol by hand (thumb actually), it's very much like Simichrome. Go easy on or near any gold filled or plated parts.

Have fun!

[Doc4]

Fresh from the store shine? Nah, go for some wabi-sabi.




... I say this in full expectation that someone is going to put green sushi paste on his pen. :scared:

[Alacrity59]

Are these mild polish products that smooth the scratches or wax-like filling in the scratch products?

[nemo]

Are these mild polish products that smooth the scratches or wax-like filling in the scratch products?

They are mildly abrasive polishes. Against the warnings from some top pen collectors, I do lightly wax my vintage daily-user pens with a carnauba wax.

[hugh4]

They are mildly abrasive polishes. Against the warnings from some top pen collectors, I do lightly wax my vintage daily-user pens with a carnauba wax.

I'm still learning so bare with me, but why are the against the carnauba wax?

[razorrookie]

I'm still learning so bare with me, but why are the against the carnauba wax?

Seconded.

[nemo]

From Daniel Kirchheimer, "I don't recommend using wax of any kind. Natural waxes may release acids over time, and Renaissance wax can turn hazy and is nearly impossible to remove, and it may attract dust; there have been cautions about it in the museum world (Thanks to David Nishimura for raising this issue)."

More here --> http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/214223-do-you-wax-your-pens/page__p__2242687__hl__carnauba__fromsearch__1#entr y2242687

[hugh4]

From Daniel Kirchheimer, "I don't recommend using wax of any kind. Natural waxes may release acids over time, and Renaissance wax can turn hazy and is nearly impossible to remove, and it may attract dust; there have been cautions about it in the museum world (Thanks to David Nishimura for raising this issue)."

More here --> http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/214223-do-you-wax-your-pens/page__p__2242687__hl__carnauba__fromsearch__1#entr y2242687

Thank you sir!

[razorrookie]

Jesus, that thread that the other thread linked to got heated rather quickly. Don't mess with FP collectors when it comes to polishes/waxes.

[nemo]

Jesus, that thread that the other thread linked to got heated rather quickly. Don't mess with FP collectors when it comes to polishes/waxes.

That's why after seven years on FPN I still only have fewer than 250 posts! Unlike B&B, you can easily get shot up over there. :gun_bandana:

[hugh4]

That's why after seven years on FPN I still only have fewer than 250 posts! Unlike B&B, you can easily get shot up over there. :gun_bandana:

You ain't kiddin! I'm really not sure how I feel about that place yet. I've only joined recently and all I've got right now is a Safari, and while I love this pen I've have some nose thumbed at me in PM's asking what I can about different nibs and inks and possibly getting into nib work myself. When they ask about the pen I tell them it's a Safari and I get o it's a Lamy, well I don't use those blah blah They are too cheap Blah blah blah.


I know not everyone over there is like that and I haven't written off just yet as there is a lot of useful info on the place. I'm trying to give it a second chance before I leave it.

[The Nid Hog]

Jesus, that thread that the other thread linked to got heated rather quickly. Don't mess with FP collectors when it comes to polishes/waxes.

It was pretty interesting reading. Every thread was linked to another thread. Like going down the rabbit hole.

The polishes that David Nishimura said he was going to produce sound interesting. Are they available anywhere? Although the FPN thread is a couple of years old, it doesn't seem to be up on his site.

[Raatt]

good thread...the learning never ends