Many Forums members are carvers and pipe restorers and know much about maintaining, polishing and refinishing pipes. I know just a little. It is a sort of philosophical point, but for the average pipe smoker (whoever that is) keeping a pipe at a high shine throughout its life is not necessary. A certain amount of evidence of wear is a good thing, a little patina that makes a pipe your own. Mostly, a good energetic buffing with a cloth after scooping out and pipe cleaning a pipe will maintain it in highly smokeable condition through the years. Applying "stuff" is always questionable, or at least should be subject to forethought. You may just be seeding your pipe with crud that will show up later as spoilage, haze, or other glop you don't want. Some of the experienced resto guys and gals use buffers, but even this can wear away the stamp or finish. So apply elbow grease, maybe a little nose grease or spit, and let it go at that mostly. New pipes should look new. After that they should look enjoyed.