1 of 1- Stevetype33
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Dual colour ribbons
Is there anyway of refreshing or re-inking a dual colour ribbon, for example, a red/black?
How were these ribbons made in the first place?
(I've already asked this question in my post 'My Underwood four bank' but can you still buy black/red ribbons new?)
Last edited by Stevetype33 (31-3-2013 08:33:44)
- Uwe
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Re: Dual colour ribbons
Stevetype33 wrote:
Is there anyway of refreshing or re-inking a dual colour ribbon, for example, a red/black?
I suppose in theory if you were a glutton for punishment. You could set up a rig of some kind that would ink half the ribbon at a time, but I can't see it being worth the time or effort.
How were these ribbons made in the first place?
Probably with a machine similar to the one I described above. A professionally manufactured one mind you... 
(I've already asked this question in my post 'My Underwood four bank' but can you still buy black/red ribbons new?)
Absolutely! That's why I don't think it's worth your time to try and re-ink an old dual-colour ribbon. There are loads of retailers that sell them over the net. Even eBay has many available.
- Stevetype33
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Re: Dual colour ribbons
Absolutely! That's why I don't think it's worth your time to try and re-ink an old dual-colour ribbon. There are loads of retailers that sell them over the net. Even eBay has many available.
You're right. I'll end my cheapskate ways and buy a new one.
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Thread Starter- Shangas
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Re: Dual colour ribbons
Re-inking a SINGLE-COLOUR ribbon is pretty easy (see my guide, found on this board). Re-inking a duo-tone ribbon? Forget it.
Not that it's not possible, it's just that I doubt it's worth it. It'd be so fiddly and frustrating that'd be a waste of time.
"Not Yet Published" - My History Blog
"I just sit at a typewriter and curse a bit" - Sir Pelham Grenville "P.G." Wodehouse
"The biggest obstacle to professional writing is the necessity for changing a typewriter ribbon" - Robert Benchley
- Stevetype33
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Re: Dual colour ribbons
Hi Shengas, I've already re-inked a ribbon using your method. Worked very well. Many thanks.
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Thread Starter- Shangas
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Re: Dual colour ribbons
Aah that's jolly good news! I told you it worked! Just be careful not to use too much ink, and to spread it out a lot. You only need a couple of drops.
"Not Yet Published" - My History Blog
"I just sit at a typewriter and curse a bit" - Sir Pelham Grenville "P.G." Wodehouse
"The biggest obstacle to professional writing is the necessity for changing a typewriter ribbon" - Robert Benchley
- malole
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Re: Dual colour ribbons
Yesterday I tried revitalizing a two colour ribbon. It took a while, about 30 minutes in all, but I'd rather do this than spend a fiver on another ribbon as I get through a lot, using my machines every day. I squirted the WD40 into the jam pot lid and used a hog hair paint brush of the same width as the black part of the ribbon. I only did the black half, as the red was still OK despite being a really old one. I did one side only, the platen side of the ribbon. Left it for a while, then wiped and wound on at the same time. No bleeding of black to red occurred, but I was being extra careful. I was surprised that the process worked and pleased, as I have a lot of red/black ribbons in a drawer!
