Damage to Exterior - Repair and Advice

[dwh117]

Hello -

New to pipe tobacco - I have had a couple of smokes with a briar pipe. Today I noticed strange marks on the bowl (pictured).

I am not sure what caused this, but I would like to avoid further damaging the pipe and potentially repairing these marks if possible.

Any advice and information would be highly appreciated!

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

Was it a new pipe? Looks like perhaps the stain didn't set properly and rubbed off.

 

[Sig]

Perhaps stain or if it's lacquered it could be the lacquer bubbling.
Not much to do except smoke it and see what happens, or sand it down and either leave it to build it's own patina, or stain it.
Can't tell but it could also be sap from the briar coming out. In that case, there isn't much to do but smoke it until it stops weeping.
If it's not briar, it's probably sap.

 

[xrundog]

What kind of pipe is that? Looks like a bad laquer job that the heat is affecting. It isn’t you, it’s the pipe.

 

[dwh117]

What kind of pipe is that? Looks like a bad laquer job that the heat is affecting. It isn’t you, it’s the pipe.

Greek manufacturer called Stefanou-Pipex. Costed 32 euro. Not sure about the quality as I am inexperienced, however they seem to be a reliable company and the smokes have been enjoyable. Perhaps I will upgrade later on...

 

[dwh117]

Perhaps stain or if it's lacquered it could be the lacquer bubbling.
Not much to do except smoke it and see what happens, or sand it down and either leave it to build it's own patina, or stain it.
Can't tell but it could also be sap from the briar coming out. In that case, there isn't much to do but smoke it until it stops weeping.
If it's not briar, it's probably sap.

It is a briar pipe. These marks also have reduced considerably (far less white and noticeable now), if that makes the problem more identifiable.

In any case, if I sand it down, could I also re-apply new lacquer , and do I need a polisher ?

 

[Sig]

It is a briar pipe. These marks also have reduced considerably (far less white and noticeable now), if that makes the problem more identifiable.

In any case, if I sand it down, could I also re-apply new lacquer , and do I need a polisher ?

You don't have to, and I personally would not. I would either leave it "natural" after sanding, or use leather dye to stain it.
Personally I like the way natural briar ages over time.

 

[Hillcrest]

heat damage under the lacquer caused bubbling. You can sand it off and apply a wood filler then when dry sand that down and just apply a stain then polish. There are threads here on that --- use the search bar above. That area of the briar is slightly porous. Eventually you will build up a cake on the inside. just 2 cents.

 

[verporchting]

I had an inexpensive briar that did that years ago and I just used a small amount of acetone on a paper towel and gently rubbed off the lacquer and then just re-oiled the surface and it looked better immediately. It did lighten the finish somewhat and a LOT of fills became noticeable but over the years it developed a nice patina and smoked beautifully. I can’t remember exactly but I may have gently sanded it with 0000 fine steel wool too.

 

[Waning Embers]

Wipe off the lacquer with acetone.

 

[telescopes]

Agreed. It is a lacquer issue. Not serious at all. Remove it and you are good to go.

 

[Sigmund]

It not an expensive pipe which makes it perfect to learn on. As stated, remove it and put some wax on it if you want some gloss.

 

[sablebrush52]

Greek manufacturer called Stefanou-Pipex. Costed 32 euro. Not sure about the quality as I am inexperienced, however they seem to be a reliable company and the smokes have been enjoyable. Perhaps I will upgrade later on...

If it is smoking well for you, forget about the finish or the looks, and just enjoy it. You can always buy another pipe. Just do a little research before you buy another one.