How Glossy or Shiny Do You Like Your Pipes ?

[OzPiper]

I like pipes with a soft waxed glossy finish. After a smoke, I always clean the pipe with some pipe cleaners and buff the bowl with a soft cloth impregnated with Halcyon wax or Mark Hoover's "Before and After Restoration Balm" ahead of the next smoke.

I'm put off by pipes with a high gloss varnished finishes, and have resisted buying pipes with that look - I'm referring to the high gloss polyurethane varnish used on floorboards.

Anyone on the Forums share my phobia ?

Is there a way of removing that high gloss varnish without affecting the underlying stain ? I'm afraid of (?) ruining an otherwise good looking pipe while attempting to "de-gloss" said object. Being colour-blind, I would rather not attempt a re-staining job if my wife's comments on my attempts to "colour-coordinate" an outfit is anything to go by.

 

[Waning Embers]

Is there a way of removing that high gloss varnish without affecting the underlying stain ?

Acetone

 

[Waning Embers]

I'm referring to the high gloss polyurethane varnish used on floorboards.

You can achieve that effect with carnauba and a buffer.

 

[craig61a]

You can achieve that effect with carnauba and a buffer.

What he said...

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I apply some Decatur Wax once a year whether they need it or not.

 

[OzPiper]

You can achieve that effect with carnauba and a buffer.

Thanks Chasing,

I've let a lot of great looking pipes go because I didn't like the high gloss look.

Having said that, I received a new Blakemar pipe some time back looking like that. Thankfully after a few smokes that very gloss finish toned down to a much softer gloss - so I take it that the pipe had been waxed and buffed to the "n-th" degree rather than varnished.

I was gifted a rotary buffer which I used once only, as it sprayed carnauba all over the place. The clean-up took a hell longer than the buffing. Obviously did something very wrong.

 

[Waning Embers]

Thanks Chasing,

I've let a lot of great looking pipes go because I didn't like the high gloss look.

Having said that, I received a new Blakemar pipe some time back looking like that. Thankfully after a few smokes that very gloss finish toned down to a much softer gloss - so I take it that the pipe had been waxed and buffed to the "n-th" degree rather than varnished.

I was gifted a rotary buffer which I used once only, as it sprayed carnauba all over the place. The clean-up took a hell longer than the buffing. Obviously did something very wrong.

For pipe and stem buffing you'll want one around 1400 RPMs or you'll send the pipe flying.

 

[shermnatman]

I guess I'll end-up being the odd-man out on this topic.

I really like the super hi-gloss factory finish that polyurethane finishes provide. In fact, I am slowly moving out of my Brigham: Algonquin series pipes - a light, satin-type finish - and, moving into the Brigham: Heritage series pipes; which has that super hi-gloss, shiny, polyurethane ? , clear-coat type factory finish.

Oh well, you can all send your shiny and unloved pipes to me; they'll be well-loved and well-smoked here. - Sherm Natman

 

[Waning Embers]

I guess I'll end-up being the odd-man out on this topic.

Not at all I like my shiny pipes shiny but on the other side of that coin I mostly like ring blasts. I do like keeping all of my stems with a mirror finish though.?

 

[OzPiper]

I guess I'll end-up being the odd-man out on this topic.

I really like the super hi-gloss factory finish that polyurethane finishes provide. In fact, I am slowly moving out of my Brigham: Algonquin series pipes - a light, satin-type finish - and, moving into the Brigham: Heritage series pipes; which has that super hi-gloss, shiny, polyurethane ? , clear-coat type factory finish.

Oh well, you can all send your shiny and unloved pipes to me; they'll be well-loved and well-smoked here. - Sherm Natman

Different strokes ?

 

[Kottan]

You can achieve that effect with carnauba and a buffer.

Carnauba is often heard being the number one of waxes but I never tried it because I don't have a buffing wheel. So I’ve tested various waxes which can be applied and polished by hand. Good results I got using a Swiss wax (Roman Peter) and Paragon wax for my smooth pipes. The first one can also be applied on relief pipes but it‘s rather expensive.($42/30 ml). They both have advantages and disadvantages. Do you know if an old wax layer can also be removed by iso? I think Acetone is a pretty strong solvent. I'm afraid it could dissolve the stain of my pipes.

 

[anotherbob]

I don't care. Honestly. Shiny is great dull is great. I like them all. Some of my pipes I polish some just get to look old. Depends on the pipe.

 

[Waning Embers]

Do you know if an old wax layer can also be removed by iso? I think Acetone is a pretty strong solvent. I'm afraid it could dissolve the stain of my pipes.

Iso will destroy the stain as the stain is alcohol based. I've never had stain come off with acetone.

 

[stokesdale]

The buffed finish on my pipes lasts about a week...then they stay that way for eternity. I'm not one known for taking great care of my pipes, that's why I have a tough time putting up the cash for one that costs over $100. Now my guns and fishing equipment? That's another story...I keep them all nice and shiny

 

[Waning Embers]

The buffed finish on my pipes lasts about a week...then they stay that way for eternity. I'm not one known for taking great care of my pipes, that's why I have a tough time putting up the cash for one that costs over $100. Now my guns and fishing equipment? That's another story...I keep them all nice and shiny

This fella's coming up on six years old. Still nice and shiny!?

 

[stokesdale]

This fella's coming up on six years old. Still nice and shiny!?

View attachment 58275

Is that a finish or just handling wear over time...e.g., oils and such

 

[Waning Embers]

Is that a finish or just handling wear over time...e.g., oils and such

I buff it with a jeweler's cloth.? The coloring is time and smoking, it used to be a pale tan.

 

[stokesdale]

I buff it with a jeweler's cloth.? The coloring is time and smoking, it used to be a pale tan.

View attachment 58276

That's a nice pipe, never seen one like that before.

 

[Waning Embers]

That's a nice pipe, never seen one like that before.

Thanks! It's a 2015 MM Reverse Calabash. They put out a slightly different one in 2018.

 

[stokesdale]

Thanks! It's a 2015 MM Reverse Calabash. They put out a slightly different one in 2018.

View attachment 58277

I'll have to keep my eye out if they ever put those out again and pick one up...thanks for the head's up!