A Light Restoration for Two Pipes

[john019]

Got these two in a group of 6, and figured might as well see what they look like underneath all of the gunk

The smaller of the two is a Robert's, and the other one is a Whitehall.

 

[john019]

This is after a little sanding. I decided not to re-stain them. I kinda liked the way the grain pattern looked. So all they got was a coating of carnauba wax and a reaming.

After a waxing:

 

[dmcmtk]

I like them both. You might want to experiment with a light touch of oil before waxing, and I mean light. A few drops on a paper towel, wipe it on then wipe it off, too much will "bleed" when the wood becomes hot from smoking. I use a Light Pure Olive Oil, others use Mineral Oil; I've also read about Walnut Oil, but have never tried it. Oil will leave a matte sort of finish, so the stummel needs to be polished before waxing. The oil tends to "bring up" the richness of the wood grain, and highlight the remnant stain color that has more deeply penetrated the briar.

 

[john019]

I will try that. I have both mineral and walnut oil. I was using tung oil, but read on here that the tung oil I was using was not a good tung oil. I have Hope's tung oil now, but haven't used any. Only a few drops, can do. Thanks for the input.

 

[dottiewarden]

Inspiring work, they both look fine to me. What will you do for stems?

 

[dmcmtk]

Most Tung oils used for furniture typically have some varnish in them, and possibly solvents. Great on a furniture finish (I used Formby's), but I wouldn't use them on a pipe.

 

[npod]

Thanks for posting these pictures of your restoration. I enjoy seeing results like this.

 

[john019]

Dottiewarden, I'm going with the original stems. I already cleaned those before I got to the bowls, didn't think to put them in the pictures for some reason.

 

[john019]

Thanks, Neal.

Dmcmtk, I found that out after I did a couple. I'm slowly taking off the Formby's. I think sticking with just wax from now on. I like the look of just wax, and it takes SOOOO much less time.

 

[mso489]

It's amazing how fresh the briar stays under all that darkening. Are you having them fitted with stems, or are you also restoring those? It looks like a pot and a billiard, and new pipes for you! If it were me, I'd have a tortoise shell for the billiard and something colorful to suit your taste for the pot, as bright as you can tolerate, orange or raspberry, or at least a light tan.

 

[john019]

It is amazing how good the briar looks indeed. I've got the original stems, or atleast what came with them. They cleaned up pretty nicely. One has a few light teeth marks on it. Not sure the route I'm going to take with that. A colored stem may indeed look nice.

 

[mso489]

Did you do all the briar with fine grain sandpaper or work down from slightly bigger grain? Whatever you did was the right thing, it appears.

 

[shanez]

Nice work.
You can buy pure tung oil but if you have a nut allergy this "could" be an issue. I'm not sure if it really would be on a pipe. (Same with walnut oil.)
For anything food related I'm a fan of food grade mineral oil (butcher block oil) since it won't chance going rancid.

 

[john019]

I used sanding pads. Started with medium and went through to extra fine. I then hit it lightly with 1500 grit. When you look clisly, you can still see some fine scratches. I need to be in less of a hurry next time and sand a little better. Thanks for the compliments.

 

[pepesdad1]

I just topped an old Grabow pot...after sanding with very fine grit paper, I buffed with tripoli and then buffed with carnuba...looks terrific now like a brand new pipe.