Question about pipe maintenance

[conroygc]

One of my pipes was starting to taste really funky, so I decided it was time to do a deep clean on a few of them. I read through the info in the Gentleman's Essentials sticky (thanks James!) and followed the instructions for cleaning with pipe cleaners and everclear. Next I set them for the salt and alcohol treatment. It's pretty neat to watch the snow white salt slowly turn a dark mahogany color.



My question is about polishing the bowls and stems. I read the instructions about how to restore an oxidated stem, but I don't need anything that strong.

What should I use to polish the briar and the stems? I don't have anything around the house, so info on where I can purchase the items would be very helpful as well.

[Commander Quan]

I would clean out the salt out of your cob ASAP I know more than one person has cracked the bowl of their cob doing a S/A treatment.

[conroygc]

I would clean out the salt out of your cob ASAP I know more than one person has cracked the bowl of their cob doing a S/A treatment.

I guessed that the cob couldn't hold up to the S&A, but with how cheap they are I figured I'd take my chances. Thanks for the heads up, I've cleaned it out.

[DC_MPA]

Olive oil does a great job on stems

[jwhite]

Most online retailers sell a paste wax that will bring back the shine to bowl and stem. I like Walkers for both their stem cleaner and wax, but most products will serve.

[jdto]

I have the Walker stem kit and it works well for mild cleaning and shining up. For the bowls, I have a small tin of Brebbia bowl polish that does a really nice job. I use a microfibre cloth and have on dedicated to each substance.

[Uncle Jackie]

I clean the stems with a paper towel and toothpaste. A good rub will get rid of any oxidation in a vulcanite one. Once rinsed off, I buff with olive oil. Does wonders.

[brother cavefish]

for the briar i use a beezwax almond oil mixture, i melt them together till its like butter

[jwhite]

I make my own wax as well. For a bright top wax bees wax, carnauba, and turpentine. For a soft finish or penetrating base wax bees wax, boiled walnut oil and alcohol.

[rickcharles606]

I make my own wax as well. For a bright top wax bees wax, carnauba, and turpentine. For a soft finish or penetrating base wax bees wax, boiled walnut oil and alcohol.

James...what are the ratios, if it's not classified info ;-)

[cb91710]

I make my own wax as well. For a bright top wax bees wax, carnauba, and turpentine. For a soft finish or penetrating base wax bees wax, boiled walnut oil and alcohol.

Interesting!

Subbed

[jwhite]

For the basic bright wax its in 10s. 10 parts bees wax to one part carnauba. Melt in container set in water, ball jars work well. One part melted wax to ten parts turpentine, some of the carnauba will want to solidify from the drop in temp. stir with a clean stick while still in hot water bath until it is clear. Cover and remove from water to cool. I tweak that a bit but that makes a great natural wax for wood, brass and iron work and leather.

The penetrating wax is one part bees wax, 10 parts oil, one part alcohol. melt wax add oil remove from heat and heat source add alcohol. Food safe and more resistant to wear also used as a board butter for cutting boards

Both waxes can be thickened or thinned by playing around with the ratios.

[conroygc]

Thanks for all the info gentlemen. I'll pick up some briar wax next time I'm at my local store. I followed Uncle Jackie's advice and did the toothpaste and olive oil on the stems, that seemed to work well. One of the reasons I enjoy this hobby so much is that it actually takes time and effort to maintain your tools. It feels nice to have all my pipes in pristine condition!

[Badger & Bengall]

Whoa there! You can't post a pic like that and not add a description! What's that pipe in the top left? It looks amazing.

[conroygc]

Whoa there! You can't post a pic like that and not add a description! What's that pipe in the top left? It looks amazing.

It's a Preben Holm freehand pipe from the 70's or 80's I picked up at an antique store. I started a little thread about it here. Unfortunately one of the walls is very thin, so I don't smoke it often enough.

[nrdoty]

...Unfortunately one of the walls is very thin, so I don't smoke it often enough.

I have heard guys on here talk about using "pipe clay" for filling the bottoms of cobs & such. I wonder if you could build up some of that clay on the thin side to cool it down? I suppose once it was caked up you wouldn't see the clay anymore.

[conroygc]

I was wondering if there was something out there like that. I'll have to see if I can find something like that. Maybe the local pipe repair guy has some info on it.

[jwhite]

Pipe clay or pipe mud is just a thick mix of ash and water.

[Uncle Jackie]

Pipe clay or pipe mud is just a thick mix of ash and water.

And it works surprisingly well.

[conroygc]

Pipe clay or pipe mud is just a thick mix of ash and water.

Ah ha! Thanks for the tip. Should I just save the regular ash from my bowls for a while and mix it up?