Pipes Magazine » Pipe Repair and Maintenance

1. 

   fnord
   

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   Folks:

   I recently picked up a wooden pipe holder that is nice and smooth but the stain is too dark. Would acetone remove the color or should I just man up and start sanding?

   Fnord

   Posted 3 months ago #
2. 

   mikephillips
   

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   Is it finished, or just stained? A photo would be helpful, but I guess not necessary.

   When you're wanting to lighten a piece of wood that's stained, the only way to do it, really, is to either sand it enough so the layer of wood that soaked up the stain is removed, or use chemicals. Acetone won't do a great job, you're better off using a good stripper (waiting for the jokes) that's made specifically for the purpose. And you'll need some old tooth brushes for getting in the corners, and lots of 000 steel wool, you'll go through it fast.

   Yes, I'm a carpenter, and yes, Jesus was too, but don't expect the same level of patience from me, he was a nicer guy than I am.

   Posted 3 months ago #
3. 

   hfearly
   

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   Acetone will remove a lacquered finish, but a wood stain penetrates. I'd give it a good rub with acetone firt, maybe they just put color on the top. At the very least you'll get the wood clean. Then it's time to get yer snd paper out. I'd tart with 200 and work up through 300, 400 and 600.

   Suffering from a serious case of "EPARD", also known as the Estate Pipe Acquisition and Restoration Disorder.

   Posted 3 months ago #
4. 

   fnord
   

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   Here's the culprit.

   

   Thanks for the advice, Mike and Nic.

   Posted 3 months ago #
5. 

   mikephillips
   

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   Looks like a cherry stain, has quite a bit of red tint. Just a word of warning, if you're planning on just leaving it natural wood after you lift the stain, it might remain a bit pink even after you strip it. Might need to use the stripper 3 or 4 times (still waiting for the jokes) before you get most of it out (not sure you'll get it all without some sanding).

   If you're going to just stain it a lighter color before poly or wax, it should cover mostly.

   Posted 3 months ago #
6. 

   wildcat
   

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   Let us know how you make out.

   For whereas men of an older school, like myself, smoke for the pleasure of smoking...
   A.A. Milne

   Posted 3 months ago #
7. 

   rothnh
   

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   The redhead uses Homer Formby stripper to remove the finish on wood, sometimes followed by some sort of Formby wash if necessary.

   Posted 3 months ago #
8. 

   eibhir
   

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   That's a pretty little stand!
   I hope he's carrying enough ones for all the strippers he'll use!

   A smile will always keep them guessing.

   Posted 3 months ago #
9. 

   mustanggt
   

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   If you are going to use the strippers you need to do it right and get a pole too.

   Posted 3 months ago #
10. 

    hawkeye453
    

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    I have been repairing and when absolutely necessary refinishing antique and fine furniture for over 50 years. I have also owned many pipe racks and holders over the years. I would say that over 90% of all of them were either mahogany or walnut. Checked a box of a dozen in my barn, 10 were walnut , 2 were mahogany. I have 3 wall mounted racks, one of which is maple, maple would probably never be in a dark finish. All the racks I checked had an area of no finish somewhere on them. As your holder has a dark finish it is probably a dark wood. Before going through all the trouble of stripping,check your holder for an unfinished area, clean with Murphy's Oil Soap and a scrubby to remove dirt and grime, then with mineral spirits and fine steel wool to remove any oil or grease residue, let dry, this will be as light as the wood will be. If your holder is stained pine or some sort of poplar you can strip it using fine steel wool removing any residual stain with muriatic acid or strong bleach. As these softwood holders ar usually of inferier quality it may not be worth the effort.

    Posted 2 months ago #

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