How to Fill Pilot Fountain Pens

Remove all traces of old ink from your fountain pen by rinsing the nib under cold running water. If you use a converter or piston pen, place the converter or nib into a cup of cold water and twist to draw water into the barrel. Expel the water, turning the cap or converter mechanism the other direction, and repeat until the water runs clear.

Dry off the nib and barrel of your pen using a paper towel. If using cartridges, use Pilot branded cartridges; other brands may be a different size that won't fit in your pen. Dry the nib and barrel with a paper towel. Press the cartridge into the nib until it clicks into place; light pressure should be all you need. Screw the barrel onto the nib of the pen and test on a small piece of scrap paper until the ink runs smoothly.

Dip Pilot converters into bottled ink to refill; only use Pilot branded converters, as other brands may not have a tight seal or fit into the barrel of the pen. Twist the converter cap until the plunger is extended to its maximum, expelling all the air from the barrel. Dip into the ink bottle, and slowly twist the converter cap so that the ink is drawn up to the desired level. Remove from the ink bottle and clean any ink off the outside using a paper towel. Snap into the nib as with a cartridge, and twist the plunger down slightly, so that a drop of ink appears on the nib. Wipe off and reattach the barrel to begin using the pen.

Dip your piston-action Pilot fountain pen directly into the bottle of ink to refill. Make sure that the piston knob is turned so that all the air has been expelled from the pen. Place the nib (including the "threading") into the ink and turn the piston knob on the pen so that it begins to draw up the ink. Lift the pen up out of the ink, but keep over the bottle as you twist the piston knob until a few drops of ink fall back into the bottle. Wipe the pen down with a paper towel.