Obsidian Oil is Amazing

[hauntedmyst]

Is there a difference between the blue bottles and brown bottles?

Nope. Some times they are out of the blue so I have to go with the brown. I'm testing a black Chubby Gorilla bottle. If it works it will double the amount in the bottle without much of an uplift in price.

 

[mingc]

Nope. Some times they are out of the blue so I have to go with the brown. I'm testing a black Chubby Gorilla bottle. If it works it will double the amount in the bottle without much of an uplift in price.

View attachment 105363

Can you see through it enough to see how much is left?

 

[bullet08]

Have a bottle, somewhere. But never used it. Just wipe with jeweler's rag and that seems to keep mine in good condition. But with moving and all, I need to clean them up.

 

[anotherbob]

and then there is me who finds a shiny stem to be an affront to pipe smoking. But I am weird like that so....

 

[jpmcwjr]

When I tried using softie bits, I found that leaving them on would discolor the area it covered. So, don't leave them on!

 

[mingc]

When I tried using softie bits, I found that leaving them on would discolor the area it covered. So, don't leave them on!

I use the silicone ones. They're more pliable and can be easily put on and removed, so much so that you only need one. I managed to find them in small and large sizes and in black and translucent silicone. They work much better than the traditional rubber ones.

 

[PipeIT]

One thing I started to do different in regards to helping keep oxidation away. My Dr. Grabow dated from 1967-1969, Commodore 65 Zulu with a vulcanite stem, I don’t clinch it at all.

After I take a few sips off the pipe, with my index finger and thumb, I rub gently the stem where I had my mouth, noticing that the removal of the saliva, replaced by oils on the fingers puts a oil and sheen back on the stem which seems to protect it.

Then, because I’m a really slow smoker, several times during my smoke with the pipe, I’ll unscrew the stem off and run some Obsidian oil on it for a few minutes, then buff off, and of course when I’m done smoking for 30 minutes let it sit then buff.

Doing all this, that stem shines and looks like the day it was new.

 

[hauntedmyst]

Can you see through it enough to see how much is left?

Yes.

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

When I tried using softie bits, I found that leaving them on would discolor the area it covered. So, don't leave them on!

That is only Vulcanite and not Acrylic, correct?

 

[jpmcwjr]

H-Myst- Is there any real benefit to a 30 minute- or anytime-soaking the stem in oil??? My method is to vigorously rub a half dot of oil on a cloth that already has some oil in it. That's it. No further buffing required.

And I'd never use olive oil, no matter how virginal, though it'd be a problem only on a pipe that's put away for a long time. (Handling removes the oil over time so it doesn't have time to turn rancid.)

 

[jpmcwjr]

That is only Vulcanite and not Acrylic, correct?

It was so long ago I can't be sure of what, if anything, it did to the few acrylic bits I tried them on.

 

[telescopes]

I have found that vulcanite needs to breath and a softie can leave a line if the Vulcanite is buffed from time to time. Not the best pics as it is still dark out. But the line can be rubbed out.

 

[hauntedmyst]

H-Myst- Is there any real benefit to a 30 minute- or anytime-soaking the stem in oil??? My method is to vigorously rub a half dot of oil on a cloth that already has some oil in it. That's it. No further buffing required.

And I'd never use olive oil, no matter how virginal, though it'd be a problem only on a pipe that's put away for a long time. (Handling removes the oil over time so it doesn't have time to turn rancid.)

I can't say I've tested times. Most of the time, I just do the same thing you do. Other times, like when I am cleaning a bunch of pipes, I'll let them sit 30 minutes to an hour.

 

[daveinlax]

I always thought Obsidian was only a UV protectant, does it clean vulcanite too?

 

[hauntedmyst]

It doesn't just protect against UV, but also against oxidation caused by saliva. Is it a cleaner? Technically no, but putting it on makes it appear cleaner. Think of it as along the same lines as car wax. You put that on to protect your paint. If you wax a dirty car, it will look better but there is still dirt under there. It's best to start from freshly cleaned and buffed. This is true whether you are using Obsidian, mineral oil or other.

 

[Chasing Embers]

When I tried using softie bits, I found that leaving them on would discolor the area it covered. So, don't leave them on!

Yep.?

 

[stewartu]

I'm sold. Just ordered. Thanks.

 

[SBC]

I acquired some of this excellent product from @hauntedmyst and am simply waiting for some lbepens Hard Rubber Deoxidizer to come in the mail so that I can deoxidize my horrifically oxidized stems before applying Obsidian. I can't wait!

 

[OzPiper]

I acquired some of this excellent product from @hauntedmyst and am simply waiting for some lbepens Hard Rubber Deoxidizer to come in the mail so that I can deoxidize my horrifically oxidized stems before applying Obsidian. I can't wait!

If using the Ibepen Deoxidiser, I'd recommend leaving the stem soak for 2-3 days rather than hours if it is heavily oxidised.

Then wet-sanding with coarser Micromesh pads, followed by Obsidian oil and finer Micromesh pads.

 

[mingc]

If using the Ibepen Deoxidiser, I'd recommend leaving the stem soak for 2-3 days rather than hours if it is heavily oxidised.

Then wet-sanding with coarser Micromesh pads, followed by Obsidian oil and finer Micromesh pads.

Why bother with the Ibepen bath if you're going to sand it anyway? Does it soften the oxidized layer that needs to be removed?