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Permanent markers don't run out of ink. Rather, they dry out over time. You can revive a dried-out marker with a common household ingredient.
My grandfather taught me this tip, and has used it to refill a 25 year-old marker at least 8 times - the marker is still working just fine.
A permanent marker is composed of 4 basic parts:
- The casing : The marker body. The plastic that holds the whole marker together
- The wick : A fabric tube that goes inside the casing, and sticks out on the end. The tip of the wick is what you write with.
- The cap : The plastic cap that you place over the exposed end of the wick to prevent the ink mixture from drying out.
- The ink mixture : A mixture of ink and solvent which is suspended in the wick.
When we think a permanent marker has run out of ink, what has really happened is that the solvent from the ink-solvent mixture has evaporated from the wick, and the ink no longer flows to the tip of the marker.
To wet the marker again and allow the ink to flow, inject the wick with nail polish remover using a hypodermic needle. Nail polish remover is the same type of solvent that the wick originally contained.
You may use the acetone-based nail polish remover, or the acetone-free kind which works just as well and stinks less.
You can test for ink/solvent compatibility by placing a teardrop-sized drop of solvent on the tip of your marker - if it writes after you place the drop of solvent on the tip, it is compatible.
If you're having difficulty locating a needle, visit your pharmacist and ask for one for free. Or, if you know anybody with diabetes, they will have dozens at their disposal. Only use NEW needles. Never ever, under any circumstances try this with a used needle. That would be dangerous as you could catch diseases.
Fill the needle with your chosen nail polisher remover. You will need to experiment with the exact amount since markers come in all different sizes, but don't be stingy... you will be surprised just how much you can put into a dry marker.
Insert the needle into the edge of the exposed wick and push the needle deep down (at least 1 inch down). Then, transfer the nail polish remover into the wick.
Put the cap on the marker and set it upright for a day with the wick pointing at the sky. This will allow the nail polish remover to completely saturate the wick.
Note: Set the marker in a place that is protected from staining. If the marker falls over or if there is a leak in the casing, the ink-solvent mixture can spill out and permanently stain whatever it touches.
After 1 day has passed, try your marker. If it is still too dry, add more nail polish remover. If it is to runny, leave the cap off for 1 day to let some of the solvent evaporate.
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