How to Clean & Care for Your Aluminum Carousel Fountain Pen (Step-by-Step)

Your Aluminum Carousel Fountain Pen is a beautifully machined writing tool: aircraft-grade aluminum body, custom steel nib (0.7 mm fine, 1.0 mm medium), and a standard international converter.

To keep it writing smoothly and looking sharp, a little gentle care goes a long way.

When to Clean Your Aluminum Carousel

You’ll want to clean your pen:

• Every 2–4 weeks with regular use

• Before switching to a different ink colour

• After extended inactivity

• Immediately if the pen starts skipping, hard starts, or the ink flow feels inconsistent

What You’ll Need

• Clean, cool (or room-temperature) water — not hot

• A soft cloth or lint-free towel

• (Optional) A bulb syringe or pipette to help flush

• A small cup or jar for soaking

Step 1: Disassemble Gently

1. Unscrew the barrel from the grip section to access the converter. 

2. Pull the converter out of the grip section.

3. Submerge or wet the nib + feeder section (do not remove the nib itself unless your version allows it)

4. Lay all parts (nib + feeder section, grip, barrel, converter) on your towel so they stay safe and in view

Be gentle with threads and aluminum edges — avoid forcing parts.

Step 2: Rinse the Nib + Feeder

• Place the nib + feeder into cool running water.

• Use the converter (reattach it temporarily) or a bulb syringe to flush water through the feed until what comes out is clear.

• If residue remains, soak the nib + feeder for a few hours (or overnight) in water to loosen dried ink.

Step 3: Flush the Converter

• Rinse the converter by filling with clean water, then pushing it out again. Repeat until the water clears.

• Do not force the piston — gentle repeated flushes are better.

• Seeing small air bubbles inside the converter when refilling is normal and not harmful.

Step 4: Dry Each Component

• Pat each part dry carefully with your cloth or towel — don’t use abrasive rubbing.

• Let all components air dry fully before reassembly.

• Residual water can dilute your ink or interfere with flow if you rush the reassembly.

Step 5: Reassemble & Refill

1. Insert the converter back into the grip section.

2. Reattach (screw) the barrel back onto the grip section.

3. Submerge the nib + feeder fully in your ink bottle and twist the converter piston to draw ink up.

4. Wipe off excess ink from the nib before writing.

Test the pen on scrap paper — it should start smoothly with even flow.

Aluminum Carousel-Specific Tips

• Cool water only: Avoid hot water — it may damage seals or finish.

• Gentle handling: Aluminum edges can scratch; be careful with threads.

• Soak when needed: If ink has dried inside, a longer soak helps.

• Frequent cleaning with rich or shimmer inks: Clean more often when using special inks.

• Store upright (nib up) when not in use to reduce drying in the feed.

1. Can I soak the nib + feeder overnight?

Yes — for stubborn dried ink, you can soak the nib + feeder section in cool water overnight. You do not soak the aluminum body or cap.

2. What water temperature should I use?

Use cool or room-temperature water only. Hot water may damage internal seals or affect the finish.

3. Are air bubbles in the converter a problem?

No — small air bubbles often appear when refilling, and they generally don’t interfere with writing.

4. My pen skips or writes faintly — what should I do?

Flush again with clean water. If issues persist, soak the nib + feeder longer, then reassemble and test. Usually the flow returns with a good cleaning.

5. Can I use shimmer or specialty inks?

Yes, absolutely! Just clean more often when using them to avoid minimize buildup in the feed. Check out our beautiful collection of Shimmering Fountain Pen Inks that are perfect for this pen.