Puff Cigar Discussion Forums

caskwith · 01-25-2007, 03:51 PM

I have had more than one person ask me for some basic tips on cleaning pipe bowls and waxing them but without the use of shop tools like I use. Therefore I have decided to kill 2 birds, or rather a flock of birds with one stone and post this.

Smooth Finish Bowls (Just dirty):

Get a soft bristled old toothbrush. Use a small amount of ordinary washing up liquid and some luke warm water and gently scrub the outside of the bowl. Rinse (try not to get any water inside the bowl) and dry with a towel. Leave the bowl to air dry for a few hours. Wax using halcyon on a finger (I always use halcyon on smooth and rusticated pipes, I know some people recommend paragon for smooth bowls but I think why waste money on 2 waxes?) and after dry buff with a soft cloth.

Smooth Finish Bowls (scratched):

Get yourself some #1000 sandpaper. Wet the bowl and the paper and sand gently in small circles until the bowl is smooth, rinse regularly to remove the residue. (you can dry sand but I think you get a better finish and you use less paper if you wet sand). After you are happy with the finish, rinse again and dry with a cloth. Leave to air dry overnight in a warm place. Next day wax with halcyon as above.

Rusticated Bowls:

Get out your trusty toothbrush and W.U.L. Scrub the bowl more vigorously this time to get all the dirt out of the cracks and crevices. Rinse and dry with a towel and leave to air dry overnight (rusticated bowls tend to soak up a little bit of water.) Wax using halcyon, instead of using your finger use a stiff medium paint brush (I picked up a cheap poster paint brush for a few pence and just trimmed the bristles down a bit) work the halcyon into all the crevices. Leav to dry for a few minutes then buff with soft cloth, really work it hard to polish up all the bowl.

Stem tips:

Always wipe your stems after smoking to dry off any saliva.
If you use bite protectors always remove them as saliva collects underneath causing rapid oxidation.
Use halcyon or paragon on your stems to stop them oxidising.
Metal polish is a great way to remove light oxidation and bring a shine on stems, it takes a lot of elbow grease and you may need to take a break and come back to it a few times before the stem is properly cleaned but it does work well.
Toothpolish makes a great stem polish for light scratches and removing and sanding marks (always use #1000 paper otherwise you will never remove scratches by hand)

Hope that helps Guys

KyLongbeard · 01-25-2007, 04:07 PM

I'm going to print that out! Thanks!!

JPH · 01-25-2007, 04:10 PM

Very good post, RG coming when I am able...

carbonbased_al · 01-25-2007, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caskwith

I have had more than one person ask me for some basic tips on cleaning pipe bowls and waxing them but without the use of shop tools like I use. Therefore I have decided to kill 2 birds, or rather a flock of birds with one stone and post this.

Smooth Finish Bowls (Just dirty):

Get a soft bristled old toothbrush. Use a small amount of ordinary washing up liquid and some luke warm water and gently scrub the outside of the bowl. Rinse (try not to get any water inside the bowl) and dry with a towel. Leave the bowl to air dry for a few hours. Wax using halcyon on a finger (I always use halcyon on smooth and rusticated pipes, I know some people recommend paragon for smooth bowls but I think why waste money on 2 waxes?) and after dry buff with a soft cloth.

Smooth Finish Bowls (scratched):

Get yourself some #1000 sandpaper. Wet the bowl and the paper and sand gently in small circles until the bowl is smooth, rinse regularly to remove the residue. (you can dry sand but I think you get a better finish and you use less paper if you wet sand). After you are happy with the finish, rinse again and dry with a cloth. Leave to air dry overnight in a warm place. Next day wax with halcyon as above.

Rusticated Bowls:

Get out your trusty toothbrush and W.U.L. Scrub the bowl more vigorously this time to get all the dirt out of the cracks and crevices. Rinse and dry with a towel and leave to air dry overnight (rusticated bowls tend to soak up a little bit of water.) Wax using halcyon, instead of using your finger use a stiff medium paint brush (I picked up a cheap poster paint brush for a few pence and just trimmed the bristles down a bit) work the halcyon into all the crevices. Leav to dry for a few minutes then buff with soft cloth, really work it hard to polish up all the bowl.

Stem tips:

Always wipe your stems after smoking to dry off any saliva.
If you use bite protectors always remove them as saliva collects underneath causing rapid oxidation.
Use halcyon or paragon on your stems to stop them oxidising.
Metal polish is a great way to remove light oxidation and bring a shine on stems, it takes a lot of elbow grease and you may need to take a break and come back to it a few times before the stem is properly cleaned but it does work well.
Toothpolish makes a great stem polish for light scratches and removing and sanding marks (always use #1000 paper otherwise you will never remove scratches by hand)

Hope that helps Guys

Great post. Worthy of a sticky!

IHT · 01-25-2007, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carbonbased_al

Great post. Worthy of a sticky!

or at least merged with all the other pipe care and cleaning posts in the FAQ.

Hydrated · 01-25-2007, 07:20 PM

I have a little problem following your instructions...

I went down to the store to get some washing up liquid, but they wouldn't let me pay for it. All I had on me was dollars...

Where can I get some pence??

Just busting your chops, Caskwith! Thanks for the pointers... very helpful to us newbs...

Bobby

caskwith · 02-06-2007, 04:24 PM

Meant to add that if anyone requires any further help please PM me.

(JPH makes full use of this feature!!! Just joking buddy, glad i can gelp you out!)

JPH · 02-06-2007, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caskwith

Meant to add that if anyone requires any further help please PM me.

(JPH makes full use of this feature!!! Just joking buddy, glad i can gelp you out!)

Hey!!!...lol....Thanks for your help!