Very hot water and steam will flash oxidize vulcanite, so very normal.Thanks Embers. Last time I tried cleaning the stem evolving water the stem turned brown and almost muddy? I guess. Best way to explain. Is this normal?
If you've never removed oxidation or reshaped a stem before, I don't recommend this being the first method you try, but here it is.So can you elaborate on using a lighter to de-oxidize a stem?
Thumb buff it with toothpaste and you'll turn it into a black mirror.After removing most or all of the oxidation, rub on a very thin coat of mineral oil, and rub it in. It will give a bit of a luster to it
GotchaMy bad: I used the word "matte" when I really should have said something like shiny, but not mirror-like.