Pipe with a bubbled finish

[thomc80]

What is the most effective way of removing the wax finish from a bowl? The finsh used on my pipe seems to be laughing at everclear. Is this a long process that requires a lot of elbow grease? Never tried this before so little unsure.

 

[pstlpkr]

If the finish has a bubble in it, it sounds like a varnish or shellac rather than a wax.

Especially if it is "laughing at everclear."

You may have to sand it off and just refinish the pipe.

Some of the others on the site could give you recommendations about grits and procedures.
A good picture might help.

 

[bubbadreier]

I would say either use sand paper to take the finish off or use nail polish remover. If you use the nail polish remover, make sure to let your pipe dry for a good 24 hours!

 

[thomc80]

Thanks for the input yeah all the everclear did was remove the finsh where the bubbles were concentrated did nothing on getting rid of the shellac. now to see if i have some fine grit sandpaper lol.

 

[thomc80]

Yeah i guess acetone would get that finish off in short order lol.

 

[thomc80]

A good picture is rather difficult for me as i have a rather bad camera lol, fortunately ive managed with the nail polish remover to get about half of the bad finish off so far. Its suprisingly stubborn to remove.

 

[thomc80]

Well step one is finished now to let it dry for a day or two to get rid of any acetone.

 

[thomc80]

See what I mean Lawrence my camera is a piece of crap.

 

[unclearthur]

If alcohol wouldn't take it off it was some kind of varnish. Probably a poly. Sehllac is soluble in in alcohol.

 

[thomc80]

Varnish it was then cuz Everclear didnt touch it.

 

[pstlpkr]

I love the shape.

Use a very high # sanding material to keep the surface free from scratches.

 

[thomc80]

Yeah i love the shape as well. Now the question is whether i should order some alcohol soluable stain. Or apply wax as is and leave it bare wood.

 

[unclearthur]

If you like the natural color then just leave it and wax it.

 

[thomc80]

Ive never had a natural wood colored pipe think I may make this one my first XD.

 

[unclearthur]

COOL!

 

[pstlpkr]

COOL!

Ditto!

 

[ejames]

I sometimes use 0000 steel wool to remove the lacquer/varnish. Soaking the steel wool with alcohol seems to speed up the process.Using the steel wool doesn't take off as much of the stain if you want to keep the original color.Since most lacquered pipes are not sanded real smooth-the reason for the lacquer/varnish is to make them shine without a lot of sanding-the steel wool will actually make the surface smoother than the factory made it--most of the time.Micro-Mesh can be used to finish up and make it shine if you don't have a buffer.