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How can disturbing engravings or their gold inlay be removed from an old fountain pen (e.g. Montblanc 342)?

General questions on writing instruments Storage and care of writing instruments FAQ entry

Mechanically polishing out the engraving is discouraged, since the early post-war plastic has already lost plasticisers and weakening of the wall can lead to body damage. An ultrasonic bath can dissolve the gold inlay but also attacks the sealing compound and is therefore risky. The recommended middle path is to have an engraver or locksmith cover the gold inlay with the usual black wax stick, which significantly tones down the engraving without harming the substance. Generally there is also an argument for keeping engravings as part of the pen's history. Careful polishing with Wenol is acceptable on old models too, as long as the work is not too aggressive; for repairs HMS is recommended.

Note: The fountainpen.de FAQ knowledge base is based on collector discussions from over 20 years. Specific market prices may be outdated — the underlying methodology remains valid. Back to FAQ overview ›

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