Help with Signo White Gel Pen

[k dunbrook]

Asking for some help please. I have a Signo White gel with ink in it. I haven't used it for awhile and I cannot get it to write anymore. Does anyone know what to do to get it all flowing again.
All help is most appreciated.

[Angelnorth]

I know it sounds a bit gross but: suck! I find it works with most gel pens where you can see there's still plenty of ink but it's stopped flowing. The ink won't spurt out of the nib or anything, I think it's basically a case of sorting out the pressure in the barrel.

One caveat - I would never do this with any pen that has a "chemical" sort of smell at all but gel pens are typically non-toxic and don't smell.

[k dunbrook]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angelnorth

I know it sounds a bit gross but: suck! I find it works with most gel pens where you can see there's still plenty of ink but it's stopped flowing. The ink won't spurt out of the nib or anything, I think it's basically a case of sorting out the pressure in the barrel.

One caveat - I would never do this with any pen that has a "chemical" sort of smell at all but gel pens are typically non-toxic and don't smell.

Thanks Joanne...will try.....those pens are expensive and I hate to buy a new one if there is still ink inside....

[Rachelrose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angelnorth

I know it sounds a bit gross but: suck! I find it works with most gel pens where you can see there's still plenty of ink but it's stopped flowing.

Joanne, you are a true papercrafting warrior!

Me, I just try to loosen the roller ball by scribbling furiously, then if it doesn't work I say a few choice swear words, throw the pen away and buy another.

[binkiemonstermom]

I would try all the above, and then if that doesn't work you could try:
Not sure if it will work with the signo pen or not but you can try to put a flame to the end of it for a few seconds. It has worked with other pens, if that doesn't work....toss!!!!!

[Crafts]

There was a gel pen fix posted to a blog a couple of years ago, and I went back to find it. I've never tried it, but here's the link: Captain Crafter: A Quick Fix For Gel Pens

[basketballmom]

I have gotten gel pens to work by holding the. Vertically and tapping them against the paper? Somehow that helps, I haven't figured out why.

[k dunbrook]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rachelrose

Joanne, you are a true papercrafting warrior!

Me, I just try to loosen the roller ball by scribbling furiously, then if it doesn't work I say a few choice swear words, throw the pen away and buy another.

giggle....are we sisters cause that's what I would likely do too!

[k dunbrook]

Thanks everyone...now I am determined to get it working.

[Mrs Noofy]

I had some trouble with a couple of older ones I had. I bought a bottle of refresher (the kind you use on old ink pads). I think it was made by Ranger when I bought it but other companies make it I am sure. First I sprayed the nib and let it rest for about an hour. That seemed to loosen up the ink on a couple. The worst ones were pretty dry so I took the top end of the pen off and used a syringe to inject about 8 drops down the ink tube. Then I took a long darning needle and gave it a little stir and let it sit for about a week. 3 out of the 4 pens are working just fine now. I try to write with them at least once a week just to keep the ink flowing. Hope this helps.

[Scrapjanny]

This might sound silly, but try sitting on them. The heat gets the ink flowing.

[muscrat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrapjanny

This might sound silly, but try sitting on them. The heat gets the ink flowing.

Gives a whole new meaning to the term "sit on it Potsie!" LOLOL

[k dunbrook]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrapjanny

This might sound silly, but try sitting on them. The heat gets the ink flowing.

giggle....I may end up crushing it!!!

[Nic]

I must be the opposite of Joanne. I remove the back if I can and blow into the barrel, then scribble.

[stiz2003]

There are some fabulous suggestions here. Wish I'd have saved one or two to try them.

I was lucky enough to attend one of Michelle Zindorf's classes. I too, had bad luck with these. She did suggest to store them point down. She also said never to leave the cap off even for a minute after you are done. I've never had one write after 6 months. She did say they will clog. I gave up. I purchased Copic Opaque white and a glass dip pen. I diluted the Opaque white with just a few droplets of water and works like a charm.
Good luck getting them to work consistently.

[Scrapjanny]

Quote:

Originally Posted by muscrat

Gives a whole new meaning to the term "sit on it Potsie!" LOLOL

I know. That's what I was thinking as I wrote it.

[Mrs Noofy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrapjanny

This might sound silly, but try sitting on them. The heat gets the ink flowing.

Wow! Something new to try! This card crafting gig gets to be more fun all the time. LOL

[uncbballfan]

The eraser trick works! I've tried it; pushed it too far into the ink barrel at first and ink did flow out of the tip. So just little pushes at a time - works like a charm!

[Cook22]

There's a whole stickied thread on white gel pen chat in the Tools and Products forum - you'll probably find even more tips there!
White Gel Pen Chatter by JoAnney at Splitcoaststampers

[Kathleen Mc]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crafts

There was a gel pen fix posted to a blog a couple of years ago, and I went back to find it. I've never tried it, but here's the link: Captain Crafter: A Quick Fix For Gel Pens

great idea! will have to try it. i'd be interested to know if this will work with my quickie glue pen too!!!

[jeanne3579]

Darn!!! Just pitched 3 that obviously had plenty ink, but would not work. Now I'm almost hoping that one I have will stop working so I can try this!!!

[cjzim]

Quote:

Originally Posted by muscrat

Gives a whole new meaning to the term "sit on it Potsie!" LOLOL

Ha ha, this reminds me of JanTink's "butt stamping", back when background stamps were all the rage and she advised inking them, appying to cardstock and then sitting on them to get even coverage : )

[cjzim]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stiz2003

There are some fabulous suggestions here. Wish I'd have saved one or two to try them.

I was lucky enough to attend one of Michelle Zindorf's classes. I too, had bad luck with these. She did suggest to store them point down. She also said never to leave the cap off even for a minute after you are done. I've never had one write after 6 months. She did say they will clog. I gave up. I purchased Copic Opaque white and a glass dip pen. I diluted the Opaque white with just a few droplets of water and works like a charm.
Good luck getting them to work consistently.

Nancy, what is a glass dip pen? I have Opaque White and have just been using a tiny watercolor brush when I use it, but would love to be able to write with it.

[gr8cards]

I was surprised that it was a Signo that quit working. Over the years I have tried every white pen I could find and each and every one turned out to be a dud for me. I have used the same Signo for over a year and it's still going strong! I use it quite a bit, so that could make a difference.

[Rebecca Ednie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjzim

Nancy, what is a glass dip pen? I have Opaque White and have just been using a tiny watercolor brush when I use it, but would love to be able to write with it.

A glass dip pen is like an old fashioned metal nibbed pen that was used with liquid ink in ink wells before ball point pens were invented except its made of glass. It is one piece, the barrel and nib being blown together. the tip has usually got a spiral grooved pattern to hold the ink when you dip it.

You can find them at gift stores and fine stationers like Victorian Papers. Mine doesn't work vey well but dip pens are great if you find one that does. I had a unique metal one with an Eiifel tower shaped nib and it wrote beautifully. Until my son knocked it on the floor and one half of the tip got caught in the carpet Fibres and he broke it when he picked it up. Still sad about that. I loved writing with it. They aren't that expensive or you can use a fine calligraphy pen that used cartridges but dip it instead if you'd like. Doesn't everyone have a calligraphy kit hanging around somewhere?! Lol!

[Rebecca Ednie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gr8cards

I was surprised that it was a Signo that quit working. Over the years I have tried every white pen I could find and each and every one turned out to be a dud for me. I have used the same Signo for over a year and it's still going strong! I use it quite a bit, so that could make a difference.

Mine failed too! Haven't found one that works for longer than a few weeks. Boo hoo.

[gr8cards]

Very frustrating!!

[GracieRubyTuesday]

It seems to me most of the packaging suggests to store them horizontally. I have done then with even my glue pens. Much better. I have only ever had some trouble with a few Amer. Craft gel pens. Honestly, that was probably my fault for buying from a slow retail store going out of business. The price just could not be beat and I was just learning the craft.

[Allistamps123]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nic

I must be the opposite of Joanne. I remove the back if I can and blow into the barrel, then scribble.

This is what I would do. I remember doing that to regular pens in middle school/ HS!