Cleaning a Rusticated Rim?
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Darkening is tough. Alcohol scrub to remove the stain then a restain is likely the only way. Build-up, that's different, I remove with a worn piece of scotchbrite/water.
BriarBlues used to put bowls down into a saucer with distilled water and let it sit for a few hours, but again, that was primarily for tars build-up.
BriarBlues used to put bowls down into a saucer with distilled water and let it sit for a few hours, but again, that was primarily for tars build-up.
On a smooth bowl, I can wipe it pretty well. This is minor. Worst care, I could use a micro-pad lightly. With rustication, I just cant get any surface to wipe so it stays and will get worse over time.
Heat the rim with a hair drier or cautiously with a heat gun. Then you can get a lot of it off with cotton terry cloth.Hold the heated pipe in one hand, the folded wash cloth in the other. Then put the rim on the wash cloth and twist it back and forth while applying pressure.
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I have Castello sea rock with a smooth rim. But this other pipe has a rusticated rim...boy did I find out what isn't really a good idea.
I've used a soft bristled tooth brush.
Yep. Its one of the reasons I dont have many textured rims. If I did Id get darpe ror black pipes. They simply arent gonna. Stay fresh looking. You pretty much have to go with the well worn look or get something different. Even if you successfully clean it the gunk will return. Eventually the stain will fade. About the only solution is being good at matching stain and cleaning the hell out of it when you can’t stand it anymore.
There’s a caustic product called Carbon-Off! that is used in restaurants to remove burnt carbonized food off of ovens and trays, etc. It’s basically a gel version of lye. I bought some to try out on removing build up on rusticated pipe rims, but haven’t gotten around to it yet. I’m pretty sure @RustiePyles CPG has worked with it and can best explain its use with regard to pipes (and maybe restaurant gear).
There are more than a few methods that work. Dampening the rim with water and scrubbing. The heat gun method that Briarcutter offered, a paste of baking soda and lemon juice, scrubbing with a stiff tooth brush, or stiff short haired plastic brush etc.
The variables that come into play are .... what type of stain the carver used, is it smoke build up or actual char, how thick the build up is and on and on.
Each rim cleaning is a learning experience. IMHO it is always best to begin with the least intrusive and work your way up. Plus we're all limited by what tools and "ingredients" we have on hand. Over the years I ended up with a tool box full of "items" to make all the refurbishing tasks easier. Specific brushes for non smooth rims, dental picks, various wooden "picks" that watch makers use, and on and on. I'm afraid to count how many different types of reamers and blades I have for tobacco chambers.
The variables that come into play are .... what type of stain the carver used, is it smoke build up or actual char, how thick the build up is and on and on.
Each rim cleaning is a learning experience. IMHO it is always best to begin with the least intrusive and work your way up. Plus we're all limited by what tools and "ingredients" we have on hand. Over the years I ended up with a tool box full of "items" to make all the refurbishing tasks easier. Specific brushes for non smooth rims, dental picks, various wooden "picks" that watch makers use, and on and on. I'm afraid to count how many different types of reamers and blades I have for tobacco chambers.
Very helpful thoughts there. I’m talking about something very minor but, because the rustication is complex and delicate, it’s hard to get at and hard scrubbing might actually damage the rustication itself. It’s a bit of a pain.
Lot of good suggestions here. I have a couple comments.
If it’s soot buildup, you can soak it with a damp rag to soften it. Then use dental tools to gently pick and scrape it out of the texture. Dental tools are inexpensive. You will probably still have to re-stain.
If the finish, like shellac, is actually burned, it has to be removed. That’s what the more caustic stuff does. Alcohol or acetate and a toothbrush for example. Then re-stain and wax.
Get the buildup off first to see what you have to do next.
If it’s soot buildup, you can soak it with a damp rag to soften it. Then use dental tools to gently pick and scrape it out of the texture. Dental tools are inexpensive. You will probably still have to re-stain.
If the finish, like shellac, is actually burned, it has to be removed. That’s what the more caustic stuff does. Alcohol or acetate and a toothbrush for example. Then re-stain and wax.
Get the buildup off first to see what you have to do next.
Warmth, saliva (or distilled HOH), and a stiff plastic brush.
Yo, PipeWorld newcomers
An FYI ---
Member "briarblues" isn't one of you, he just hasn't been around here in a while (and never spent much time on forums to begin with).
At last count he cleaned and sold 49,864,912 pipes.
Per month.
And he did it for many years, starting back when connecting to the Net was a dial-up/landline thing.
Meaning his suggestions are not guesses or passing on stuff he read or heard. He's done it.
An FYI ---
Member "briarblues" isn't one of you, he just hasn't been around here in a while (and never spent much time on forums to begin with).
At last count he cleaned and sold 49,864,912 pipes.
Per month.
And he did it for many years, starting back when connecting to the Net was a dial-up/landline thing.
Meaning his suggestions are not guesses or passing on stuff he read or heard. He's done it.
LOL, only a slight exaggeration on the number George........ the arthritis in my hands sure feels like I cleaned that many pipes, but I'd honestly guess the number is around 5, maybe 6k.
I only offer methods that have worked, for me. Trust me some things I've tried ( not on clients pipes ) did not come out so well .... like the time I tried to remove stain with white vinegar, which I saw suggested 3 decades ago. I ended up with a tiger stripped pipe. Sent to someone that I knew would be able to correct it. He did and attached a note, telling me ..... he only likes vinegar on salads.......