First Attempt At Removing Oxidation From Vulcanite

lordofthepiperings · Apr 6, 2013

I had some spare time today so I figured I'd give some love to one of my older pipes and try to removed the oxidation on its vulcanite stem. It's a Peterson Aran B5 I've had for about four or five years now. I just gave it a nice soak in Everclear for a while then buffed it with a Magic Eraser and polished it with my girl's nail buffer. Here's a few before and after pics.

Here's the after pics.

ejames · Apr 6, 2013

Much better!!

bigboi · Apr 6, 2013

looks real nice

cavendish · Apr 6, 2013

Nice! That looks alot better! I recently used some Brebbia Stem Polish on all my vulcanite stems and it made a HUDE difference! they look like new and I only used a small amount on an old towel. This is part of my weekly cleaning now to keep the stems looking and feeling like new.

lordofthepiperings · Apr 6, 2013

Thanks for the compliments. Quick question, how often do you guys usually clean your stems? Is it a monthly ritual or once or twice a year?

gmwolford · Apr 6, 2013

I put Chapstick on them after every smoke; it helps retard oxidation. Keep it at bay and it shouldn't need too much more very often. Either Ed or Bradley have that tip.
That stem looks a lot better now, BTW.

stylus156 · Apr 6, 2013

May I ask what is the process for using chapstick?
And is there any poor taste after using the Brbbia Stem Polish? I've read a in a couple of references how well it works…
Thanks, M.

cajunguy · Apr 6, 2013

Excellent job on the stem! And with Chapstick, I get the unflavored sort, apply a coat to the entire stem, leave it on for a few minutes and buff it off.

numbersix · Apr 6, 2013

Nice work - much better. I use obsidian oil after use. That tiny bottle will last a long time - barely a dot is all you need. Just rub it on and you're done.

yazamitaz · Apr 6, 2013

Dar - where did you acquire your carnuba wax and in what form did you purchase it? It seems HD and Lowes around me either have no clue what I am talking about and the only stuff on their websites is for flooring. Did you have to order from a wood working specialist shop?
Cajunguy - How do you "buff" off the chapstick? Do you have a buffing wheel you use or just by hand? If the latter, then with what?
Thanks guys. I just picked up a buffing wheel kit I can attach to my drill press, some 400,600, and 800grit wet/dry sandpaper, some 000 steel wool, some Bartenders Friend and some Oxyclean. I want to start doing some refurb work as well.

javajunkie · Apr 6, 2013

Simple buffing with either chap stick or obsidian oil is just a soft cloth and a little effort and focus. Honestly I use a cham-wow.

gmwolford · Apr 7, 2013

I use the unflavored Chapstick, too. Apply it lightly to the stem, let it sit overnight and the wipe it off with a cotton pad.
I got my carnuba bar from amazon. It came from a woodworking supply place out of Georgia, don't recall their name. And it does require a wheel to apply/buff off. There's Paragon and Halcyon II of you want to hand apply/buff.

tbradsim1 · Apr 7, 2013

Chapstick contains salicylic acid, used on stems will keep the shine, put on old stems and left overnight and polished off with an old cotton t-shirt will keep them up, butter your pipe button after smokeing and later wipe off will keep them nice and clean. The old cajun

skapunk1 · Apr 7, 2013

My first attempt was a heavily oxidized stem, greenish brown, with bite marks. I used a nail file on the bites till they worked out. Then went extreme. I soaked in bleach for 3 hours, with Vaseline on the shank end. Came out jet black, and rough as sandpaper. I rinsed it for 24 hours, changing the water every 4-5 hours, then let dry overnight. I then took it to my Beal buffing wheel kit, which has 2 compounds, a carnuba wax and a seperate wheel for each. Came out looking new. The key now is maintenance..... As well, the compounds are great for polishing any metal bands on your pipe, and the Wax makes your bowl shine like crazy.
I think next time i'll try oxyclean, the bleach seems so extreme.....

yazamitaz · Apr 8, 2013

Thanks guys.
Dar - Trust me, they were trying to send me liquid wax for hardwood floors. After three times trying to explain what I needed I just left.
I bought a buffing wheel kit that you can attach to a drill. I was thinking of attaching this to my drill press. I realize the wheel would spin side to side and not right at you. Does anyone see a problem with this? Has anyone tried it.
To be honest, I am just lazy when it comes to switching components. I would almost rather drop another $45 and get another grinder and have a grinding station and a buffing station.

First Attempt At Removing Oxidation From Vulcanite

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