stem restoration

[OilMan]

At a loss. I have a couple of stems, from an ebay frenzy, that are oxidized. How can I restore them to where they are black and shiny, instead of what ever color that is.

[hollywood]

Originally Posted by OilMan

At a loss. I have a couple of stems, from an ebay frenzy, that are oxidized. How can I restore them to where they are black and shiny, instead of what ever color that is.

here's the method that I have used recently that has produced the best results:

1. scrub scrub scrub with Magic eraser.
2. soak for 24 hrs in grain alcohol
3. scrub some more
4. sand it with 300 grit - lightly
5. sand it with 600 grit - lightly
6. sand t with 1000 grit - lightly
7. buff with white buffing compound
8. buff with high gloss buffing compound

[OilMan]

other than sanitation what is the point of the grain alcohol

[JohnnyFlake]

Originally Posted by OilMan

At a loss. I have a couple of stems, from an ebay frenzy, that are oxidized. How can I restore them to where they are black and shiny, instead of what ever color that is.

The way the Pipe & Tobacco Shop Keepers use to do it, and most pipe makers still do, when dealing with Vulcanite Bits (not stems), which are what you have, if they have oxidized, is to use a buffing wheel with a very fine buffing rouge! It works like a charm and takes a few minutes at most!

Note: the stem, is the wood (briar) shank, that the bit fits into.

[rehbas21]

Check out the Faq Sticky, it starts at post #30 I believe. That is the method I have used with great success.

[OilMan]

Thanks. I will pick up some stuff tomorrow to make it work.

[JPH]

After cleaning sanding ect.. a little olive oil is nice to buff with

[Cheeto]

for quick jobs on bits that aren't too bad, some good scrubbing with one of those magic erasers then a little polish with olive oil turns out pretty well.

[dogsplayinpoker]

Originally Posted by JPH

After cleaning sanding ect.. a little olive oil is nice to buff with

This works well but be aware that certain peoples' body chemistry promotes quick oxidization even after a thorough cleaning. I can turn the cheaper vulcanite stems in one smoke. You will most likely keep having the yellowing dependant on the quality of vulcanite and your own chemical makeup.

[Mister Moo]

Has anyone tried toothpaste as a rubbing compound to deoxydize a bit?

[DubintheDam]

I just posted one on this in the 'photos of your pipes' section. As it happens I was smoking a vulcanite stemmed pipe outside today and it was raining, got home and it had loads of white greyish spots on it from the raindrops.

So...I used some of my new Dunhill stem polish....and...I swear toothpaste works better or at least as well, the same stem was heavily oxidized when I bought it, sitting in the shop window too long....I used a toothpaste we get in the health shop here....and it dosen't cost a 10th of the price as Dunhills.

It won't beat buffing and sanding...but it works more than well enough for me. You just need to do it a few times to get the heavy green stuff off.

[Thillium]

Originally Posted by DubintheDam

I just posted one on this in the 'photos of your pipes' section. As it happens I was smoking a vulcanite stemmed pipe outside today and it was raining, got home and it had loads of white greyish spots on it from the raindrops.

So...I used some of my new Dunhill stem polish....and...I swear toothpaste works better or at least as well, the same stem was heavily oxidized when I bought it, sitting in the shop window too long....I used a toothpaste we get in the health shop here....and it dosen't cost a 10th of the price as Dunhills.

It won't beat buffing and sanding...but it works more than well enough for me. You just need to do it a few times to get the heavy green stuff off.

I will attest! It did quite well on my oxidized stem for only ten minutes of scrubbing . Like I said in the previous thread I'll post pictures once I'm done with the final product.

[Mister Moo]

Yes - can be toothpaste is the ticket with a dry or damp paper towel for getting off grunge. No slur on sanding, buffing and polishing but Colgate Palmolive products cover a lot of ground in the quick and (not so)dirty department.

[paperairplane]

Just for the record, toothpaste = polishing compound. (albeit mild)

[Mister Moo]

This mid/low grade Sasieni (7 saddle bulldog was a gift from the father-in-law. The bit was a little chewed and was totally brown-green with grime and oxidation. It was lightly smoked and put away dirty about 40-years ago; it smelled foul and looked nasty.

I hadn't planned to mention cleaning it but per previous advice by Tedski, Caskwith and a.paul I was trying the toothpaste thing on a pipe that won't be beautiful but will almost certainly be a good smoker. While the bowl soaked with salt and Everclear I picked up the stem for a few five-minute rubbing sessions. I sprinkled on a little salt with the toothpaste for the worst areas. No scratches. By the time the bowl went sweet the bit looked great. Paper towel, toothpaste, spit and a little salt here and there is the low tech, low rent approach.