Restoring Missing Dots

jeepnewbie · Nov 11, 2016

Here a question I haven't been able to find an answer too.
When restoring pipe stems and you have half a dot because it isn't a rod inserted into the stem, but instead it paint dots or something else that is just added to the top layer like stickers.
If those are removed how would one go about restoring the missing dots.

scrooge · Nov 11, 2016

I've herd liquid paper works well. Only herd this.

fluffie666 · Nov 11, 2016

I have a theory on dots that I'm about to try out on an old Dunhill without the original stem. The dot on the new stem is painted on. Take this with a grain of salt because I might come up with a better idea and not use this method. I was planning on heating up an awl, burning through the old dot to create a deeper cavity about 1/8 of the way through the stem. The burn should create a ridge around the indention. I plan on sanding the ridge until it's flush and then working the oxidation off of the rest of the stem, polishing with micromesh and a buffer. Then I will fill my indention in with Testors white enamel. To do that, I will punch a hole though some tape and lay that over my indention so can protect the rest of the stem from the enamel. Then, with a magnifying glass and a very fine brush, carefully fill my indention with enamel. Testors needs to cure so I'll set my work aside for a few days. After some cure time, I'll check to see if it needs anymore.

Testors works great because it holds up to light sanding, successive grades of micromesh and buffing. I've used it to restore Stanwell logos and Kiko logos with fine results.

I've never been a fan of the quick fix unless it's a bulletproof quick fix.

puffermark · Nov 11, 2016

I have had some success using a drill bit to make a small round indentation and then applying some red nail polish to restore the red dot on a Dr Plumb. You can see my post with more details and a few pics here:
http://www.brothersofbriar.com/t32318-ramble-on-a-dr-plumb-rerestostoration
Best of luck.

kiel · Nov 11, 2016

I have removed the dot on old Dunhill stems to make a new stem. It is a rod. I would drill a 1.6mm hole on the new stem and epoxy the dot in. This was just more of a "lets see if I can do this" when I tried it.

fluffie666 · Nov 11, 2016

Nice work mark. The picture is a little grainy on my phone but it sure looks like a nice job from what I can see.

Keil, I thought about drilling and putting in a new rod also but I don't have a drill press. That's why I came up with the hot awl method. I do a lot of "let's see if I can do this" kind of work on pipes. I love it. Keeps me out of trouble.

pagan · Nov 11, 2016

+1 liquid paper, I have dine this fir Stanwell and Kaywoodie stems, but for a replacement stem without original makers mark Id try @puffermark's technique

kiel · Nov 11, 2016

Yes! Messing around with pipes keeps me out of trouble as well. In the beginning, because I was so willing to go spend money, I was sometimes in trouble with the wife. Now she joins me in the workshop, and occasionally will smoke a pipe too.
I have a drill press and have used it to put to white dots in stems. I think your hot awl trick is pretty creative.

ashdigger · Nov 11, 2016

I've successfully used "hard as nails" fingernail polish to repair Dunhill dots and Kaywoodie Clovers.

ssjones · Nov 11, 2016

For white, painted on stem logo's (Peterson, James Upshall, etc.), I've successfully used white acrylic modelers paint. You do have to let it dry for several days, then I used an exacto type knife to scrape it off and then lightly sand off the excess with 8,000 grade micromesh.
Steve Laug has used a nylon knitting needle to fill missing Dunhill dots. He used a slightly larger dot to ensure folks know that it is a replacement.
I'm stay tuned to see if George responses with the BEST way to restore a logo. I have one of his Ashton logo stems and that work is magnificent.

ashdigger · Nov 11, 2016

Al, I have two Ashton stems and one Dunhill in with him now......if he doesn't post pics, I will when I get them back.

hmhaines · Nov 11, 2016

So much info here, I'm getting close and closer to trying my hand at restoration!

fluffie666 · Nov 11, 2016

My wife smokes a pipe as well. She just doesn't smoke the kind of tobacco I smoke...

Ashdigger, how did you do the Kaywoodie logo? I think my hand is to shakey to even attempt something like that.

jeepnewbie · Nov 11, 2016

As far as missing dots that are inside the stem I have some white rods I have trimmed and glued into the stem. The sasieni dots may of once once been level with the rest of the stem, however due to oxidation around them changed the to being higher. So I may use a small drill it to put a small indent and fill it with white acrylic paint.
Dunhill dot restored.

jeepnewbie · Nov 11, 2016

Guess I didn't take pics of the two color dot I done. I'll have to remedy that.

fluffie666 · Nov 12, 2016

Awesome work jeep! I've been racking my brain since yesterday about the painted on half dot. I think ssjones has the best solution of painting it on with a nice and solid type of paint and then scraping off what you don't need. A steady hand and a binocular microscope would be helpful if you choose that road. I wouldn't attempt it without, at least some type of good magnification. There has to be a bulletproof method out there somewhere for this.

georged · Nov 12, 2016

Just now reading this thread.
Stem logos are a swamp. They range from simple & relatively easy to impossible. Anything that's inlaid is just a matter of technique and having the right tools and materials. Creating new paint-filled impressions is a deceptively tricky process that you only get one shot at, plus requires specialized heavy tools as well as the stamps themselves. Messing with them is only for the brave. OVERstamping (re-stamping partially worn-away originals) is effectively impossible for a number of reasons. Don't go there. :lol:
In short, the ideas you are discussing all sound do-able, and should get "casually acceptable" results. You shouldn't expect to get a "fool the experts" result, though.
Wish I had better news. :|

ssjones · Nov 12, 2016

Here's the paint method.

jpmcwjr · Nov 12, 2016

That's slick, Slick!

I have a Barling where it looks like the stamping was repainted, and not finished well. A bit of scraping and sanding are in its future.

ssjones · Nov 12, 2016

In short, the ideas you are discussing all sound do-able, and should get "casually acceptable" results. You shouldn't expect to get a "fool the experts" result, though.

Wish I had better news.

And that is why sometimes I simply let well-enough alone!
On this one, I just wiped on some paint, let it dry a little and wiped off the excess.

Restoring Missing Dots

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