How to revive a dead (or dying) water-based marker

 

I tested this on a dying one and it worked. 

You will need:

• A syringe or something similar (for precision), but it can be done without.
• the marker in question
• water
• optional: gloves
• optional: pliers

Step one: open the marker and remove the nib (or the part on the opposite side of the nib, but the nib is easier, if messier). Using pliers and gloves can prevent some of the mess.

Step two: fill the syringe with water, the temperature doesn't matter, but I wouldn't go for boiling. 

Step three: put a bit of the water in the marker using the hole left by the removed nib. Put in no more than several drops (5-9 by Heroes of Might and Magic count), if you put in too much water, it will bleed everywhere. And that would be extremely messy!

If you don't have a syringe, just hold the marker under the tap while the water is almost turned off. 

Step four: ram the nib back in and close the marker. Optional, shake the marker.

Step five: test the marker out. It should be back in working order. 

Note: If you have to revive a marker repeatedly, it's time to toss it and buy a new one. I doubt you can revive it indefinitely. 

Additional note: It definitely doesn't work indefinitely. But if you're in a pinch and absolutely need that color and have no way to immediately replace the marker, it will work. But this is a short-term solution and you will have to replace the marker eventually. 

Still, it works in a pinch and that's what counts.

~AnnElfwind

Written on 2nd of November, 2021