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

Introduction

Your Marquise Fountain Pen is a refined writing instrument designed for precision, longevity, and beauty. With its interchangeable Jowo housing system, brass hardware, and thoughtfully balanced body, it deserves a little care to keep writing as gracefully as the day it arrived.

Cleaning your Marquise is simple — and it’s the best way to preserve its smooth ink flow and gleaming finish.

When to Clean Your Marquise

Regular cleaning keeps your pen in its best condition.
You’ll want to clean your Marquise:

• Every 2–4 weeks if used often

• Before changing ink colours (especially with shimmer or darker inks)

• After long breaks between uses

• Whenever ink flow feels uneven or faint

What You’ll Need

• Clean, cool water (never hot)

• A soft cloth or paper towel

• A bulb syringe or pipette (optional, for flushing)

• A small container or cup for soaking

Step 1: Disassemble Gently

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

2. Remove the converter from the pen.

3. Using a soft cloth or tissue for grip, gently unscrew the nib and housing unit from the section.

4. Place all parts — nib, housing, converter, section, and barrel — on a soft towel so nothing rolls away.

Be gentle with the threads; the Marquise’s brass and lacquer finish deserve a delicate touch.

Step 2: Rinse the Nib & Housing

Hold the nib and housing under cool running water, or fill a small cup and soak them for several minutes.
You can flush water through with a bulb syringe or by reattaching the converter and cycling clean water in and out.

Keep rinsing until the water runs clear — this means the old ink has been removed.
If the pen hasn’t been cleaned in a while, soaking overnight helps loosen any dried ink inside the feed.

Step 3: Flush the Converter

Attach the converter and fill it with clean water.
Twist the piston to push the water out, then repeat several times until the water comes out clear.

If you see small air bubbles inside — that’s completely normal and won’t affect your writing.

Step 4: Dry Each Part

Use a soft towel to gently pat each piece dry.
Then, allow the parts to air dry completely before reassembly — a few hours is best.
Any leftover water could dilute your ink or cause flow issues.

Step 5: Reassemble and Refill

1. Screw the nib + housing back into the grip section.

2. Reinsert the converter into the back of the section.

3. Screw the barrel back on carefully.

4. To refill, submerge the nib completely in your ink bottle and twist the converter to draw ink up.

Wipe away any excess ink from the nib, and test your pen — you should see a steady, smooth ink flow once more.

Marquise-Specific Care Tips

• Cool water only: Never use hot water, as it can harm seals or finishes.

• Deep cleaning: If ink has dried inside, soak the nib + housing overnight.

• Gentle reassembly: Avoid overtightening threaded parts.

• Rich or shimmering inks: Clean more often to maintain consistent flow.

• Storage: Keep upright with nib facing up when not in use.

FAQ

1. Can I soak the Marquise nib overnight?

Yes — but only soak the nib and housing, not the entire pen.
A few hours (or overnight for stubborn ink) is enough to loosen any dried residue.

2. What water temperature should I use?

Always use cool or room-temperature water.
Hot water may damage the internal seals or finish.

3. Are air bubbles in the converter normal?

Yes, small air bubbles often appear when refilling — they won’t affect the pen’s performance.

4. Can I use shimmer inks?

Yes, absolutely! The Marquise handles shimmer inks beautifully. You can choose from our beautiful selection of Fountain Pen Inks that will work nicely with your Marquise Fountain Pen.
Just clean more frequently to minimize build-up from collecting in the feed.