Can I use old fountain pen ink?

Using old fountain pen ink is a common question for fountain pen enthusiasts. Over time, fountain pen inks can undergo changes in chemistry that may affect their performance and properties. However, with proper storage and care, many inks can remain usable for years or even decades after being manufactured. This article will explore the key factors that determine if old fountain pen inks can still be used.

Table of Contents

How Does Fountain Pen Ink Age?

There are a few key ways that fountain pen inks can change as they age:

Evaporation – Inks may slowly lose some of their water content over time as it evaporates. This causes the ink to become more viscous.

Oxidation – Exposure to air can cause subtle chemical changes to dyes or other ink components through oxidation.
Decomposition – Some ink components such as surfactants or dyes may gradually decompose over very long periods.
Contamination – Poor storage conditions could allow mold, bacteria, or other contaminants to grow in the ink.

Settling – Pigments, dyes, or other dispersed components may settle out of suspension.

Higher quality inks from reputable manufacturers generally age better over time. Cheaper inks are more likely to experience issues like extensive evaporation, settling, or decomposition. However, even high-end inks can be affected by improper storage conditions.

How to Tell if Old Fountain Pen Ink is Still Usable

Here are some key signs that old fountain pen ink may still be in good usable condition:

No change in viscosity – The ink flows well and has not become abnormally thick or sticky.
No color changes – The color has not noticeably faded, darkened, or changed hues.
No sediment – There are no solids settled at the bottom and the ink is uniform.

No separated layers – The ink is a homogeneous solution without any separated water or oil layers.
No foul odors – It does not smell rancid, moldy, or strange.
Writes well – The ink flows smoothly from the pen and dries properly on paper.

Conversely, here are some warning signs that old ink may be unusable:

The ink is thick, sticky, or syrupy.
The ink color has faded or changed color.

Flakes, solids, blobs, or clumps in the ink.
An oily sheen or separated watery layer in the bottle.
A strong chemical or rotten odor.

The ink does not flow well or dries poorly on the page.

Does Old Fountain Pen Ink Expire?

Fountain pen ink does not necessarily have an expiration date per se. Unlike food, ink does not have an abrupt point where it “goes bad”. However, fountain pen inks can gradually deteriorate in quality and performance as reactions slowly occur over time.

Lower quality inks may start to degrade noticeably after only 2-5 years of storage. Higher end inks from brands like Private Reserve, Noodler’s, Montblanc, Pelikan, or Sailor may still perform very well for 10-50+ years if stored properly.

Signs of deterioration depend on the ink components but can include thicker viscosity, settling, separation, faded colors, poor flow and drying, and clogged pens. Extensively degraded inks can become unusable.

Storage Conditions for Fountain Pen Ink

Proper storage is key to maximize the usable lifespan of bottled fountain pen inks. Recommended storage conditions include:

Store bottles upright and tightly sealed.

Keep ink out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources.
Ideally store ink between 50-80°F if possible.
Avoid extreme cold below freezing – ink could freeze and the bottle may crack.

Store in a clean, stable environment away from sources of vibration or contamination.

Inks stored for years in less ideal conditions may still be usable if they appear and function normally. But optimal storage gives the best chance of long term stability.

Testing Old Fountain Pen Ink

If you have an older bottle of fountain pen ink where the condition is uncertain, it is smart to test it before filling an expensive pen:

Shake or roll the bottle to remix any settled contents.
Do a visual inspection of color and consistency.
Swab a small sample on paper to test flow and drying.

Dilute a small sample with distilled water by 10-30% to improve flow.
Try filling an inexpensive and easily cleaned pen first.

Testing will reveal any severe issues like poor flow, clogging, staining, or corrosion before using the ink in a nicer pen. Modern inks can be mixed to refresh older inks.

Can You Rewrite Old Ink?

There are a few methods fountain pen users try to recondition old ink:

Shaking or rolling – Remixes settled solids.
Dilution – Adding 10-30% distilled water can improve viscosity and flow issues.

Filtration – Passing the ink through a coffee filter, lab filter, or makeshift filter setup can remove solids or mold.
Mixing – Blending with fresh bottled ink can improve properties.

However, rewriting extensively degraded ink is not recommended. Mild improvements may be possible, but poor performing old ink is better replaced with fresh ink.

Does Refrigerating Fountain Pen Ink Help?

Refrigerating fountain pen ink can help slow chemical changes from oxidation, evaporation, and decomposition. The cool environment of a refrigerator set to around 40-50°F provides gentler long term storage.

However, take care when refrigerating ink – temperature fluctuations can cause condensation inside the bottle leading to dilution or mold growth. Allow refrigerated bottles to fully reach room temperature before opening.

Freezing ink is risky – ink could freeze solid and the bottle may crack. Defrost frozen ink slowly in the refrigerator.

Refrigeration can extend the shelf life of ink that would otherwise slowly deteriorate at room temperature. However, refrigeration cannot reverse degradation that has already occurred.

Signs Your Old Ink Has Gone Bad

Here are clear signs that old bottled fountain pen ink should be discarded and replaced rather than used:

Thick, sticky, or jelly-like consistency.

Grainy texture with visible solids in the ink.
An oily or separated appearance.
Obvious mold growth in the bottle.

Severely faded or discolored appearance.
A rancid, rotten, or chemical odor.
Ink does not flow and stains or clogs your pen.

Trying to salvage ink in poor condition like this can damage your pen. It is not worth the risk when replacement ink is readily available.

How to Dispose of Bad Fountain Pen Ink

Fountain pen ink that has spoiled should be disposed of properly and safely:

Wear gloves to avoid skin staining.

Do not pour ink down drains which could cause clogs.
Absorb ink with paper towels, kitty litter, or sand and dispose of solids.
Neutralize and dilute stubborn stains with bleach or ammonia then rinse.

Empty bottles can be recycled where accepted.

Check local hazardous waste regulations in your municipality for any specific ink disposal guidelines.

Is It Safe to Use Very Old Ink?

Using fountain pen ink that is decades old does carry some safety risks to be aware of:

Old ink formulas may contain chemicals unsafe for modern pens.
Decomposed ink could grow harmful bacteria or mold over time.
Poor performing ink can stain skin or clothing.

Clogged dried ink can damage pen filling systems and nibs.

While most vintage ink is harmless with proper precautions, it is generally safest to use freshly manufactured ink when possible.

Can Old Fountain Pen Ink Damage Pens?

Yes, degraded old ink can cause several forms of fountain pen damage:

Clogged feeds – Dried ink solids can block narrow pen channels.
Stained barrels – Poorly soluble dyes may leave permanent stains.
Corrosion – Acidic compounds in low quality vintage inks could corrode steel or resin parts over time.

Sticky buildup – Gummy ink residue slows flow and traps debris.
Failed seals – Contaminants weaken rubber seals causing leaks.

These issues tend to occur slowly over repeated use of expired ink. Thorough cleaning is required to undo pen damage.

Restoring Dried Vintage Fountain Pen Ink

Old bottles of ink often have thick dried ink crust around the rim or cap. This can be dissolved to retrieve usable ink:

Place the bottle cap down in an inch of warm distilled water for 1-2 hours.
Swirl the bottle gently to dissolve stuck ink.

Remove dissolved ink carefully with an eyedropper and filter.
Repeat the soaking if needed; avoid over-diluting ink.
Mix restored vintage ink with fresh bottled ink before using.

However, revived dried ink often still has compromised performance. Mild restoration can recover some ink rather than discarding the whole bottle.

Using Vintage Iron Gall Ink in Modern Pens

Iron gall ink was the predominant fountain pen ink for centuries until the mid 1900s. Original iron gall formulas can be highly acidic and corrosive. However, modern iron gall inks sold by companies like KWZ, Rohrer & Klingner, and Diamine are more pen-friendly.

When using original iron gall ink from vintage pens in modern pens, take these precautions:

Test ink flow and corrosion on cheap pens first.
Clean pens thoroughly after using to remove any residue.
Avoid ink contact with any gold pen parts.

Don’t let ink dry out in the pen which concentrates the acidity.
Add a small amount of additives like oxalic acid or rust inhibitor to modify pH.

Well-preserved vintage iron gall inks can be used successfully. But monitor your pen closely for any corrosion issues.

Trying to Revive Dried Ink Bottles

Extremely old bottles of fountain pen ink are often found dried up with only a solid residue remaining. While it may seem hopeless, it is sometimes possible to recover usable ink:

Add a few drops of distilled water and gently stir the bottle once a week for a month.
After a month, try adding a 50/50 water/ink mix a drop at a time to reach a suitable viscosity.

Filter the resulting liquid through a coffee filter or lab filter to catch any solids.
Mix a drop of dishwashing liquid to act as a surfactant.
Try a test fill – the ink flow may still be compromised.

Success is hit or miss with completely dried ink, depending on the original quality. But with patience, a small amount can often be recovered.

Common Issues Using Old Fountain Pen Ink

Some common problems encountered when attempting to use old ink include:

Thick, sticky ink – Evaporation increased viscosity over time.

Poor flow – Particles and impurities restrict ink flow.
Slow drying – Dye concentration increased as water content decreased.
Sediment – Pigments and dyes settled out of suspension.

Fading, discoloration – Light exposure degraded dyes over time.
Feathering, bleeding – Aged binder resins don’t hold ink as effectively on paper.

Test old ink carefully on scrap paper. If flow and drying issues occur, improved storage may help the remaining supply last.

Tips for Using Old Fountain Pen Ink

If you want to use up old fountain pen ink that is still in fair condition, these tips can help avoid issues:

Store ink bottles upright so any sediment sinks to the bottom.
Before filling, gently roll the bottle to remix settled contents.

Try diluting thicker inks 10-30% with distilled water to improve flow.
Fill cheaper, easily cleaned pens rather than expensive models.
Clean pens thoroughly after each use to avoid dried ink buildup.

If flow worsens, it may be time to switch to fresh new ink.

Well-preserved vintage ink can be a unique treat. But switch to newer ink at the first sign of poor performance.

Conclusion

Old fountain pen ink may still be usable if it has been properly stored, retains its original color and viscosity, flows and dries well on paper, and does not damage pens. However, lower quality ink has a shorter lifespan and degraded ink can cause permanent damage. When in doubt, it is safest to use fresh new ink. With controlled testing and careful use, many retained vintage inks can be enjoyed without issues.