How to Clean an Acrylic Stem Draft Hole

[mingc]

So, I finally found a used Peter Heeschen bent P that I've always wanted. However, it has a transparent yellow acrylic stem that has a stained draft hole. I've tried alcohol, and soap to no avail, so I figure I need to get some polishing compound or liquid in there and mechanically scrub away with a pipe cleaner. Question is: what compound or polish? Let me know what's worked for you.

 

[paulfg]

toothpaste,mildly abrasive & food grade

 

[Chasing Embers]

Soak it overnight in lemon juice. Avoid alcohol on acrylic as it can cause crazing.

 

[sablebrush52]

Great suggestions! And, yeah, alcohol and acrylic do not mix.

 

[sandollars]

Professional grade ultrasonics are cheap nowadays and if you are a pipe collector who likes to actually smoke your pipes, it's a no brainer. You can get a nice one for under a hundred bucks on Amazon these days.

Remember: What you see in your transparent stems exist in your opaque stems also. An Ultrasonic takes . care of that.

 

[mingc]

No alcohol. Check.

Unfortunately, the stem has a decorative rosewood ring that rules out soaking. Actually, fortunately, because rosewood is really lovely.

I'll try the toothpaste and see if lemon juice, sans soaking, does anything.