Pilot Custom 823 - How to Clean and Change Inks

[@Alianderfarm]

Just what a newbie to fountain pens needed to watch and learn

[@ForTheLoveOfPens]

@@Alianderfarm thanks! Proceed with caution, this model is prone to cracking

[@vikas7686]

If you open the pen like this , it voids the warranty.

[@ExFideBiblesandStationery]

YES! Thank you. I just got one on a trade and I love it. I have had one ink in it since I got it...looking for a change up. This came up at the perfect time.

[@ForTheLoveOfPens]

@@ExFideBiblesandStationery congrats! Glad you found it useful!

[@GilbertRose-u1u]

Super! Very timely, as I just bought this pen! Thanks again.

[@ForTheLoveOfPens]

@@GilbertRose-u1u hope you love it!

[@paulmchugh1430]

I have not thought of cleaning the barrel of a vacuum filler with the nib and feed in place with a bulb filler. I have always removed the section with the nib and feed, then removed the nib and feed from the section. The same procedure can be used for piston filler. Thanks for the demonstration and will now consider getting the 823.

[@ForTheLoveOfPens]

@@paulmchugh1430 you can certainly remove the section but many warn against this as it’s prone to cracking

[@technologicalsingularity1788]

I thought the wrench was a joke 😂😂😂😂😂

[@ForTheLoveOfPens]

@@technologicalsingularity1788 lol, nope!

[@vinody]

​@@ForTheLoveOfPensThere's a transparent O-ring at the back of the plastic feed. It needs to be put back in the original orientation if it falls out.

[@ForTheLoveOfPens]

@@vinodyyou are right. I didn’t remove it in this video but that one is needed.

[@LenaMellow]

Holy Cow so did I.

[@KenVanderheyden]

Hi, nice "how to" video, just wondering, isn't that a lot of grease, and does that not influence the ink ?

[@ForTheLoveOfPens]

@@KenVanderheyden thanks! I put on a good amount of grease in this video. Probably more than necessary, but after a few strokes, most of it just lubricates the side walls. You’re applying too much if you see clumps falling off into the ink.

[@Rad_Tech_Singh]

My new Pilot Custom 823's unscrew knob comes completely off of the pen if I keep unscrewing it. Is that normal?

[@ForTheLoveOfPens]

@@Rad_Tech_Singh no, the knob shouldn’t come off. I’d contact the seller or Pilot if you can

[@Rad_Tech_Singh]

@@ForTheLoveOfPens Okay, thank you.

[@awaken77]

How you got SFM nib with 823? it's not standard combination

[@ForTheLoveOfPens]

@@awaken77 I swapped it in from a Custom 743, they use the same nib size

[@PedroAssumpcao-on6db]

Is there any danger of the grease getting into the ink and clogging the feed?

[@ForTheLoveOfPens]

@@PedroAssumpcao-on6db none that I’ve experienced.

[@reveme]

Actually yes, if you apply too much grease. It happened to me and I had to clean everything out with water and soap, and reapply LESS grease

[@ForTheLoveOfPens]

@@reveme did the great get dislodged into the feed? About how much did you put on?

[@reveme]

@@ForTheLoveOfPens of course the amount of grease was the issue 🙂 With just a tiny amount of grease it should be fine

[@ragesipikm5169]

How does the oxblood behave in the pc832? have you had any problems?

[@ForTheLoveOfPens]

@@ragesipikm5169 it performed great! No complaints

[@davyj5216]

This is the kind of cleaning regime that leads to practically ALL the stories of 823 cracking. And it invalidates any warrantee.

[@ForTheLoveOfPens]

@@davyj5216 You bring up a good point, it’s important to proceed with caution when disassembling any pen. Regarding Pilot’s warranty - it’s a 1 year warranty for manufacturing and mechanical defects. To me this would be things like the trim pitting or seals prematurely breaking. Plastic cracking or bent nibs are never covered regardless of use. From what I can tell the area where most people crack the pen is over-tightening the grip section, hence my recommendation to leave it in place. You could also crack the back barrel if you over tighten with the wrench, but I’ve found if you turn the barrel instead of the wrench this largely prevents that.

[@davyj5216]

@@ForTheLoveOfPens It's good that you recognise the danger and advise caution. I've never disassembled my 823 and find it relatively to clean out. Having said that, I tend to have it filled with Sailor Doyou ink, which has a known propensity for cleaning by itself! Generally speaking though, I don't think the 823 is an ideal pen if one wants to change inks often.

[@ForTheLoveOfPens]

@@davyj5216 I agree, especially if you aren’t comfortable with the disassembly process. Outside of regular use, it is a good idea to apply silicone grease to the seal on the rod for regular maintenance. Otherwise over years you may find the rod becomes difficult to move

[@SteveJarek]

That’s so much grease 😂

[@rexiioper6920]

those diamine bottles are hazardous

[@ForTheLoveOfPens]

@@rexiioper6920 they are very tippy. I’ve had a few close calls 😳