Clean. Your. Threads.

[sorcerertd]

Well, this is quite disappointing. These are pretty deep scratches. It would have to be something pretty hard and sharp to dig that deep into the chrome. The way they are arranged indicates that the scratches happened after the threads were engaged. I did not notice this at all the first few times I removed and put the cap back on. My guess is that a loose piece of the metal on the threads came off after the threads had been engaged a few times while showing the pen to people and got stuck in the plastic cap threads. I couldn't see anything in the threads that I think would have been capable of doing this much damage even with 3.5x magnification. That black speck in the cap threads was the only thing that looked large enough. I got it out with a pick, but I don't even think it was metal, or anything hard enough to scratch the chrome that deep. I reamed the cap out as best I could with a bottle brush and no new scratches seem to have appeared after capping/uncapping many more times after doing so. This is definitely something I'll have to watch out for going forward.

I can't be the first one this has happened to. Any tips on cleaning the metal threads without damaging the finish? I'm thinking a brass brush on a dremel with a very light touch if the metal threads look rough? Maybe just running an eraser or something similar around the metal threads?

 

[randyrls]

Todd; From the position of the scratches, it looks like the top edge of the cap centerband was scratching the side. If you look at the top of the last photo of the you can see a small flaw in the end of the centerband. I suspect that this is scratching the side of the post. These threads are not really close tolerance, so there may be enough "slop" in the threads to allow the flaw to rub against the post. It *MAY* be that there is a lacquer coating on top of the chrome. It just may be the lacquer is scratched. I would get another kit and try to polish the fittings after taking them off the blanks. I'm interested in the resolution of this......

 

[sorcerertd]

I did see the flaw there, but I don't think that could do it based on the location. It's hardly noticeable running my finger over it. This picture gives a better idea of the location. I had to be something up inside the cap.