How to Clean Pyrography Tips – an Excellent Guide
Knowing how to clean pyrography tips is essential since the burning pen is the essence of any pyrography project. Without a good-quality pen, it is remotely possible to get your expected wood burning results. And when you have such a pen that offers you the best outcome, you must clean and maintain it regularly to ensure it lasts a long time.
You can clean pyrography tips using various methods and polishing compounds. One of the easiest ways to do that is to heat it with the pen’s highest setting and wipe the carbon buildup with a fabric. Other common and effective ways to clean the pen tips are to use leather strop, paraffin wax, etc.
Clearing out the unwanted materials on the nib is not very difficult. But you also need to ensure you are using the right cleaning items because many people use things that just destroy the tips. In this article, you will find what items you should and should not use for cleaning purposes.
Cleaning The Nibs
There are several ways to clean pyrography tips. But over time, it turned out not all of them are suitable for cleaning them because some turn the surface harsh, and it wears off faster. So, you need to be extra careful.
I have applied various methods for clearing out the ash and rusts in my pyrography pen tips and learned my lessons after various mistakes. Now I try my best to make sure no one makes the same mistake and loses the precious nib.
The methods I found highly effective are using the highest heat setting, paraffin wax, and leather strops. In the following part, you will learn more about these methods.
1. Highest Heat Setting
One of the simplest, no-tool, and effective methods is to use the high heat method. That is why it also happens to be one of the most recommended methods.
The trick here is to turn the pen heat to its highest setting. As the pen tip grows too hot, the carbon buildup will start to loosen or peel off. Once you notice the carbon peeling off or loosening, turn the pen heat off.
After that, use a dust and oil free fabric to wipe off the nib to remove the carbon buildups. But make sure not to touch it in bare hand because it will be too hot and can burn your finger. You can wrap or fold the fabric in a few layers so that the hot metal will not cause any other issues.
2. Paraffin Wax
If you have a ball tip, using paraffin wax will work really well. And it is extremely helpful when you have lots of buildups stuck on and around the metal end. And this one also requires increasing the pen’s heat for loosing the buildups.
So set your pen’s heat to its highest setting and wait for the pen to heat properly. Soon you will notice that the buildups are coming loose. Once that happens, dip the hot pen nib into paraffin wax and wait for a few seconds. Then take the tip out of the wax and wipe it off when it cools down.
If one application does not clean all buildups, you can either repeat the process or just clean the rest using the leather strop method. You will find more on this in the following part.
3. Leather Strops With Aluminum Oxide
Using a leather strop is another effective method. However, the strop alone cannot clean the tip well if it has too much buildup stuck to it. If that is the case, you will need some powdered aluminum oxide.
To apply this method, you cannot use a hot pen tip. Make sure it has cooled down entirely before using any cleaning formula.
Then apply some aluminum oxide powder to one end of the leather strop and rub the cold pyrography nib on it. After that, swipe the tip on the other fresh side of the strop. You can do it a few times until the tip comes out extra carbon and dust free.
Here is a video to help you know how to clean nibs with leather strop and aluminum oxide powder.
What Not To Use
Always remember that the materials people think are suitable for cleaning pyrography nibs are not exactly convenient. There is a big fat chance that they will gradually damage the tip and shorten its lifespan. Avoid using the following items if you want it to last longer.
1. Sandpaper
You will find plenty of articles and videos telling you that using sandpaper is the quickest way to clean a dirty pyrography tip properly. But sandpaper is one of the worst things to use. They slowly erode the metal over time, making the pen no longer usable.
2. Sharp Blade
Sharp blades, knives, razor blades, and the list of sharp objects recommended for use to clean pyrography tips will go on. But using such a sharp object is not wise as it can damage the nib.
3. Tea Strainer
Now, you may think what’s the harm in using tea strainers because they are hardly that rough? But even if they seem harmless, tea strainers are very abrasive. They cannot guarantee a proper cleaning and can end up leaving scratches on the metal tip.
4. Steel Wool
Steel wools are a hybrid of sandpapers and tea strainers. Does that sound bad? Never get convinced of using it.
5. Brass Brush
Brass brushes are not on the big NO list, but they can leave a harsh result if the brush is too rough. Such brushes can get into the tip’s narrow area and break it if you brush too hard. However, it is okay to use soft-bristled brushes for cleaning the pen tips.
6. Honing Paper/Pad
Honing paper or pads are also like sandpaper, except they are finer. Usually used for sharpening razors, honing pads are harsher than what you require. But if you use it gently, you can get away with the job without causing any damage.
7. Nail Filer
Nail filers are as bad as all the other harsh objects I have mentioned so far. They are rough and will leave scratches. Moreover, they are not exactly the best cleaning tool you are looking for.
I recommend you watch the last part of this burner cleaning video instruction to know why you should not use some of these items.
Is It Necessary to Know The Cleaning Process?
If you want a beautiful wood burning result and the pen nib to last longer, it is necessary to have it always fresh and untarnished as new. Because as you burn wood, carbon begins to build up at the tip of the pen. And if you know what carbon buildup is, you already understand how annoying it is to work with such a device.
The rule for burning wood, especially at a high temperature and for long projects, is to wipe the tip with a dry fabric or sponge from time to time to prevent buildup. If you don’t, it will burn the project wood badly, giving you a poorly engraved design. Moreover, the heat will not break through the pen’s metal if it is filled with carbon build ups from the burning.
Besides, having a clean tip helps glide over the wooden surface more smoothly.
FAQs
How long does a pyrography pen tip last?
Depending on the type of pen, it can last from a few months to a few years. If you keep the pen tip clean, do not always use it with high heat, it can last 2-3 years.
Can I clean the pyrography tip with warm water?
Yes, you can do it with warm water. In that case, hold the pen tip under hot running water keeping the electrical connection off, and it will help the carbon buildups loosen slowly.
Can I use a sponge to clean the pyrography tip?
A wet sponge is handy to do it before using the pen. But make sure to warm the device by turning on the heat to remove the moisture.
EndNote
If you are a pyrographer, whether a beginner, hobbyist, or professional, it is essential to know how to clean pyrography tips. This particular practice will benefit you in various ways.
One, it will make your wood burning designs more flawless. And two, it will save you money from buying new tips frequently. However, make sure you are using the recommended cleaning items to ensure you do not damage the tip.
