Homemade Wax for Vulcanite Stem

scooterdoo · Aug 11, 2018

So, I bought an estate Savinelli on ebay and the vulcanite stem came pretty badly oxidized. I followed this guy's instructions with one exception: instead of vim I used soft scrub with bleach. This deoxidized the pipe quite well, but I'm now left without a protective wax on pipe. Quite disheartening, after almost a day of work on this thing.
Any idea on what I can use to protect my stem? Any recipes for homemade wax? Anything I can buy at walgreens that isnt' too expensive?
Thanks!
Dan

jpmcwjr · Aug 11, 2018

For starters, slap some mineral oil on the stem. Light coating, rub in. Some folks use a product called Obsidian Oil, which is mineral (and something?) at much higher cost.

Chasing Embers · Aug 11, 2018

All that was used here was a magic eraser, Barkeeper's Friend, and toothpaste. Mineral Oil was applied after and works very well for keeping away oxidation.

dmcmtk · Aug 12, 2018

Break down and buy some Paragon or Halcyon wax. A jar will last you a very long time.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Paragon-Wax-for-the-Pipe/323386728840?hash=item4b4b59e188%3Ag%3AhnkAAOSwc95a1DzX%3Asc%3AUSPSFirstClass%2110522%21US%21-1&_sacat=0&_nkw=paragon+wax&_from=R40&rt=nc&_trksid=m570.l1313
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Halcyon-II-Wax-for-the-Pipe/292672226197?hash=item44249fc395%3Ag%3APbcAAOxySE9Q85iB%3Asc%3AUSPSFirstClass%2110522%21US%21-1&_nkw=halcyon+wax&rt=nc

davek · Aug 12, 2018

I've tried Barkeeper's Friend. Seemed to have more of a non-cosmetic effect than mineral oil but still left some oxidation. I'm going to try some toothpaste with it too now. Great idea.

sablebrush52 · Aug 12, 2018

However you do it, oxidized Vulcanite has to be completely physically removed or it returns. And it should be kept out of sunlight unless you're fond of sulfurous yellow stems. The problem with plain bleach is that it really pits the vulcanite. As Walker Briar Works, one of the most trusted and respected pipe repair services, puts it without beating around the bush:
http://www.walkerbriarworks.com/html/vulcanite_info_.html
+1 on the Paragon and Halcyon waxes. They're a microcrystalline suspended carnuba.

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