Gel Pens that won't write

Hi,
I have some gel pens that haven't been used in awhile since I moved. All of them were stored with their caps on tightly but some of the glitter ones don't want to write now. They have plenty of ink and they don't look dried out. Does anybody know if there is a way to get them writing again?
TIA,
Melanie

On a package of metallic gel pens, the instructions were to put the cap on, hold the pen with the cap up, place finger on top of cap, tap the bottom of the pen (pen is pointing up) on firm surface a couple of times. This worked with some and not with others.

I'm keeping an eye on this since I've got lots of gel pens that aren't working and I couldn't throw them out.

Make sure they are stored flat, not upright.

Put them in the freezer in a snap lock bag for a few hours ?overnight and then they might write again.

Let me know if the freezer thing works, I never actually got around to trying it.

I haven't had this problem with my glitter pens, but HAVE had it with regular gel pens. MY daighter - 17) of all people, came in and took it apart to the inner ink tube and gave a good hard blow into the end. Took two or three tries, but good as gold. And, I was told that it was from storing them in the upright position. There is a oily looking substance at the end of the tube that has to get back into the colored "ink" to make it flow like a gel pen. So, ok, she opens my pill bottles too! But I kow how to work the VCR on my own

• fefelants Said:

LOL That's great, cuz I don't know how to work mine.
I feel so bad now, I threw alot of pens away. I just got sick of trying to use them and nothing happening or they skip.

Yes, blow in the pen---
if it has a tiny hole in the side, take off the end cap but cover the hole with your finger so the air goes right doen the tube.)

Thanks for all suggestions, ladies! I have tried them ALL without much luck.

I also tried soaking the tips of the pens in nail polish remover and heating them with the blow drier. I tried inserting a thin wire in the tube to mix up the ink a little better and that worked on only one pen. Cussing and threatening them didn't work either!

I did try the blowing thing and the tapping thing on some plain ink gel pens that were skipping a bit and it worked like a charm. They are now writing smooth as butter! So it's just these blasted glitter pens that are being so stubborn! Any other suggestions before I burn them?!

Thanks for the tip about storing them flat! I didn't know that!

Ok, this sounds strange, but hold the tip of the pen over a candle flame for a short time -- be careful because it could burn off and fall into the candle. (Gee, how would I know that?) I'd try it on a color you don't particularly care for first.

Ya mean I was actually on to something when I said I was going to burn 'em? I'll try that next!

• Melanie in MT Said:

too funny!