We present a combined experimental and theoretical study of the transmission of single charged 1 keV Ar ions through a cylindrical glass capillary of macroscopic dimensions. From quantitative measurements of the incoming and transmitted ion currents, combined with a detailed analysis, the amount of beam entering the capillary was determined. This, combined with the measured transmitted currents was used to determine the amount of charge deposited on the inner wall of the capillary which produces the guiding electric field. We show experimental results for fully, and partially, discharged conditions of the time evolution of the guided beam intensity following a wide range of times during which the capillary was allowed to discharge in order to provide information about the insulating surface charging and discharging rates.