Repair and restoration is a big issue with both new pens and with collectors of vintage or antique pens. The pen world puts emphasis on the difference between the two. Repair is known to get the pen to working condition without attention to minute details of originality. However, a restoration entails getting the pen to as original condition as possible. This is often more expensive and takes more time. With a vintage piece, a good restorer will first clean the pen inside out. Then, he will check and adjust the nib if necessary. Often, vintage fountain pens involve fixing parts which were originally made to be replaced if broken. Since vintage part production is no longer available, this might take longer than usual. The restoration should make the pen functional for use and reinstate its original appearance.
Sometimes, things such as line width and flow modifications are restricted to the factory grind of the nib. Be careful of restorers who use buffing wheels because this can sometimes buff away the gold plates, melt cap and barrel surfaces, or even rub away manufacturer marks. The best way to polish these vintage pens is by hand. Although it costs a bit extra, it is recommended to repair your pen with a gold nib. Since ink can range in acidity, often it eats away and causes damage to stainless steel nibs. In the long run, it is a good investment. A good restorer can also fix any type of nib problem whether it be straightening, crack repair, or re-tipping. It is strongly recommended that pens of any value should be taken to a professional for repair because most damage to old pens comes from bad repair jobs not overwork. Also, an expert can re-tip the nib to italic, oblique and stub depending on the requests of the owner.
Often when ink flow is uneven, a razor should be used to clean the gap between the tines. The dirt and clogging can occur when pens are left unused for long periods of time with ink left inside. This can also cause cracks in the cap or barrel and the pens should be washed with water for a period of time and then cleaned.