[GreenKeys] Re-inking ribbons

[Doug Alderdice]

My personal experience with rejuvenating a ribbon with WD40 is even 
worse than stamp pad ink.  I tried the WD40 trick on a Calculagraph 
ribbon which was printing very lightly.  Right after the "treatment" the 
ribbon made really great images and I had fun playing with the 
Calculagraph.  The very next day the ribbon was dry and didn't even make 
light impressions any more.  I know there are those who really swear by 
WD40 to bring ribbons back to life, but based on that experience I had I 
am not about to try it again.

I think the best ink I have worked with for a ribbon is numbering 
machine ink.  I used that on a Teletype ribbon and it seemed to last a 
decent amount of time.  You can get that ink online, I think Amazon had 
it the last time I looked for it.  It might also be available from 
Office Depot/Max.  What I have on hand I bought locally back when 
stationery stores were a thing.  Years back there was a mail order place 
that sold reinking machines for dot matrix printer ribbons and I had one 
at work and their ink was great.  Sadly they are long gone.

FWIW.  YMMV.

73,

Doug, KA2WFT

On 3/31/2022 3:15 PM, Tom Hunter wrote:
> Doug,
> 
> I understand what you are saying.
> Yes, I use stamp pad ink.
> 
> I am open to suggestions.
> 
> What about a shot of WD-40 on the ribbon pack?
> 
> 
> Tom   N3CRK