Oxidation coming back?

E

exibar

Lurker

Sep 28, 2015

26

0

• Oct 5, 2015

• #1

I have one stem that I thought I buffed and scrubbed enough, but the oxidation appears to be coming back...
I use 3M rubbing compound, then 3M polishing compound, then a good carnuba wax to bring up the shine...
Should I be beginning with perhaps a 600/1000/1500/2000 grit sandpaper routine, then go into the compounds? instead of just using the rubbing/polishing/wax routine?
any thoughts as to what works best for y'all?
thanks!

Mike B

 

T

theediabeticman

Starting to Get Obsessed

May 5, 2014

237

0

• Oct 5, 2015

• #2

I am NOT a professional - please don't use 600 grit...on my pipes I use a solution and 2400 grit and lowest I go is 1500

but let's wait to see what we can learn from a professional

 

xrundog

Part of the Furniture Now

Oct 23, 2014

737

1

Ames, IA

• Oct 5, 2015

• #3

You probably didn't get it all the first time. I use Soft Scrub with Magic Erasers and water to take off the oxidation. No material loss and no scratching. It makes buffing to a shine go much, much faster. Depending on the material and severity of oxidation it may take some work. When it looks black, check your work in sunlight. It will show what you missed.

 

E

exibar

Lurker

Sep 28, 2015

26

0

• Oct 5, 2015

• #4

hehe, sorry I just threw some grits out there 600 probably would be too course for the stems
So the rubbing compound / polishing compound / carnuba wax method should get all the oxidation off? I use a dremel with a set of buffing / polishing pads on it... I'm used to using the dremel for other polishing items and have used it for decades, so I'm quite comfortable using it.

Just kinda new to restoring / deep cleaning pipes... could have sworn I got it all, I use a couple different lights for my bench, one is a natural light florescent... I guess the oxidation is "deeper" than I originally thought...

I get these stems pretty shiny and looking new when I'm done.... I'll have to re-do this stem and see what comes out of it... as long as you fine folks feel my method is sound with the rubbing/polishing/wax... I'll continue on
a happy day is a day where I learn something
thanks all!

Mike B

 

mikestanley

Lifer

May 10, 2009

1,698

1,126

Akron area of Ohio

• Oct 5, 2015

• #5

Another consideration may be the sulpher content of a pipe stem might be higher, or lower than another. Oxidization is always going to occur on vulcanite stems. Oxidize. If you're vulcanite, its what you do.
Mike S.

 

dude

Might Stick Around

Aug 21, 2015

64

0

Minnesota,

• Oct 5, 2015

• #6

Obsidian Pipe Stem Oil helps prevent oxidation/re-oxidation.

 

E

exibar

Lurker

Sep 28, 2015

26

0

• Oct 5, 2015

• #7

it re-occured pretty quickly.... 3 bowls and it came back LOL
is my method I mentioned above correct? maybe I just need more elbow grease in the mix...

 

pruss

Lifer

Feb 6, 2013

3,558

370

Mytown

• Oct 5, 2015

• #8

I do a soak in oxyclean and water, then hit the stem with either 0000 steel wool or a magic eraser, and then work up from 1000 grit micromesh to 25000. Last step is a wheel with carnauba.
Oxidation will return.
Keep your pipe in a light tight environment to avoid oxidation from sunlight.
-- Pat

 

drwatson

Lifer

Aug 3, 2010

1,721

5

toledo

• Oct 5, 2015

• #9

Switch it out with Lucite...You'll be happier.

 

stvalentine

Part of the Furniture Now

Jan 13, 2015

808

13

Northern Germany

• Oct 6, 2015

• #10

There are stems that have such a high content of sulphur that it always comes back. I had such a stem and I couldn´t get it back to it´s "black" condition no matter what I tried. :roll:

 

perdurabo

Lifer

Jun 3, 2015

3,305

1,575

• Oct 6, 2015

• #11

Can Olive Oil help prevent oxidation?

 

huntertrw

Lifer

Jul 23, 2014

5,286

5,554

The Lower Forty of Hill Country

• Oct 6, 2015

• #12

"Let me at that oxidation!"

 

scrooge

Lifer

Apr 24, 2015

1,341

14

• Oct 6, 2015

• #13

I use a tiny bit of chapstick on all of my stems an really don't have a problem. Learned that trick many years ago from some old hard core smokers. It really does work. But you have to start with a clean stem.

 

dottiewarden

Lifer

Mar 25, 2014

3,053

57

Toronto

• Oct 7, 2015

• #14

I love the Chapstick solution. I'll have to give it a try.

 

captainprophesy

Lifer

Sep 27, 2012

1,779

0

Upland, CA.

• Oct 7, 2015

• #15

I use a bit of chapstick on the stem after every smoke... Helps keep oxidation at bay very well.

 

okiescout

Lifer

Jan 27, 2013

1,530

6

• Oct 7, 2015

• #16

+1 Drwatson.
I can hear guys warming up on this one already:O) I use softy bits on all mine for my teeth anyway, so for me it is not an issue to go to acrylic stems.

 

J

jaygreen55

Starting to Get Obsessed

Jan 29, 2015

172

177

• Oct 8, 2015

• #17

You should try Dave Walker's Stem restore kit. It works wonders on all but the deepest oxidation without having to use sandpaper.
http://www.walkerbriarworks.com/html/stem_restore_kit.html

 

samcoffeeman

Can't Leave

Apr 6, 2015

441

4

• Oct 8, 2015

• #18

Going to acrylic stems...ugh! If you wver cleaned an estate acrylic stem your opinion might differ. Because the acrylic/lucite melts at a lower temperature, the material seems to soften up when smoked and the tars will really gum up in the stem. No acrylic for me thx. I'll stick to my vulcanite/cumberland or horn.

 

drwatson

Lifer

Aug 3, 2010

1,721

5

toledo

• Oct 8, 2015

• #19

Thanks Okie, I also use the softy bite tips (but cut off the thick end). As they wear our I have been converting over to clear tubing which also works great.
Sam, that's interesting! I have always thought the Lucite ones were a lot better to clean. Maybe I haven't got one that was that nasty yet. Most of the ones I have received are pretty clean to start off with.