How to rewax a meerschaum pipe

[blackop555]

I recieved a very helpful email from Mrs. Beth Sermet of SMS Pipes regarding how to wax a meerschaum pipe.

Prepararation: 100% beeswax cakes -- confectionery quality
Old towel or cloth -- to prevent hot wax from
dripping or spattering onto other surfaces
Hair dryer -- mutiple temparature and fan settings
Cotton swabs -- for brushing the melted beeswax
Polishing cloth -- soft white terry cloth towel or
white flannel


STEP 1: Use a hair dryer set to hot temperature setting, but low air speed.
Heat the beeswax cake to consistancy of lip balm.
Hold the pipe by the stem. Smear onto the bowl directly from the beeswax
cake like lipstick. Do not touch the bowl with your fingers during any of
the steps..

STEP 2: Continue to heat the a section of the surface of the bowl until the
wax becomes liquid. Use the cotton swab like a brush to paint the area with
a coating of wax. Push molten wax into crevices and hard to access areas.
The swab may unravel as it absorbs excess wax. Coat the entire bowl surface
evenly. CAUTION: Try to prevent wax from drippng into the tobacco hole since
it will leave a bitter taste.

STEP 3: Heat the bowl again to allow complete absorption of the wax. Set
the pipe down on the towl to cool.

STEP 4: After the bowl cools to room temperature. Buff the surface to a
high gloss using a towel first then the flannel cloth for the final buffing.
If the surface is tacky, too much wax is on the surface. Heat this area
again and remove excess wax with a cotton swab and buff again.

STEP 5: Repeat when the surface becomes soiled or dull. Excessive waxing
may cause too much wax accumulation (tacky surface and dripping).

[jamesstew]

I rewaxed mine with Paragon wax and it worked really well and has a much higher melting point that beeswax. Great info though for doing it the traditional way.

[blackop555]

thanks for the tip. im sure those steps could be used with any wax.

[jcats]

thank you for sharing

[IrishCamel81]

And where would one, if one so desired, locate confectionery beeswax?

[indigosmoke]

Originally Posted by IrishCamel81

And where would one, if one so desired, locate confectionery beeswax?

These guys have it. You'd probably have to buy a 50 gallon drum of it though.

Beeswax - Candelilla Wax - Caranuba - Paraffin - Microcrystalline

[Ray]

I only have 1 Meer... when would you need to rewax a Meer? I thought you just pretty much left them alone to color.

[IrishCamel81]

Originally Posted by Ray

I only have 1 Meer... when would you need to rewax a Meer? I thought you just pretty much left them alone to color.

I handle mine quite a bit and I read that keeping the wax on helps with the coloring process.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by IrishCamel81

I handle mine quite a bit and I read that keeping the wax on helps with the coloring process.

Ok, good to know, Thanks!