Alcohol and Acrylic Stems

[jazzlover]

I've unintentionally ruined two acrylic stems by using isopropyl alcohol to clean them out: One cracked and broke entirely. Another developed a large crack but held together. Has anybody else had this experience? If so, what's a better way to clean acrylic stems?

 

[peckinpahhombre]

I use 99% iso exclusively and have never had an issue

 

[ejames]

91% Iso. Alcohol is all I've ever used. The only stems I've come across that require care when using it are the nylon,fine to clean with but don't soak them. I'd say you just happened to get a couple of bad stems.

 

[tarak]

+1 to all. Have used 91% iso on everything I have with no issues.

 

[petes03]

I use bourbon whiskey once every month or two on all my stems, acrylic and vulcanite. I only use a dampened pipe cleaner, and I've never had any issues.

 

[phil22]

I use Everclear on my stems and have had very good success.

 

[wayneteipen]

I had a similar experience several years ago with an acrylic stem on an estate pipe. Interestingly, it was a clear acrylic stem so you could actually visualize what happened. It didn't break but got a bunch of small cracks throughout that emanated from the airway. I remember posting it on some of the forums to see if anyone else had similar experiences and it was dismissed as an oddity. I'm curious of the circumstances with your stem. I was also using a retort so heat was another potential contributing factor. Was heat involved with yours? I'm also curious of the brand and age of pipe. Mine was an estate GBD or Savinelli but for the life of me I can't remember which.

 

[mso489]

I rotate a lot of pipes (well forty) so I don't resort to alcohol cleaning, though I might if I were cleaning estate pipes.

I like the idea of gin or bourbon since this is something that I might ingest anyway, so a light coating that evaporates

seems pretty acceptable. I'm glad to be informed about the potential mishap. I don't own any clear acrylic stems,

but I might at some point. Useful information to keep in mind, as is much on Forums.

 

[concreterocks]

I recently picked up two estate pipes with clear stems which I don't think had ever been cleaned. After spending hours with 91% isopropyl alcohol and pipe cleaners, I decided it was time to get serious.
I soaked a bristled pipe cleaner in alcohol and stuck it in my cordless drill. That did a good job but not all the way. I then broke out the Soft Scrub kitchen cleaner coated a damp pipe cleaner with it.
That did the trick. I finished both stems in around 35 minutes which was MUCH faster than I ever could have done with alcohol and pipe cleaners.

 

[concreterocks]

Images for post above... Now that I figured out how to add images. ::

 

[sablebrush52]

Alcohol and acrylic don't mix. Alcohol has a chemical reaction with acrylic that causes acrylic to form micro fissures, leading to cracking over the long run. I clean mine with warm running water, and a drop or two of unscented liquid soap.
Likewise, I don't recommend using hot water on Vulcanite as it causes the sulphur content to discolor. I use alcohol for Vulcanite.

 

[npod]

Thanks for weighing in Jesse. I’ve read for years to avoid ETOH with acrylic stems. I think it was you who set me straight early on. But I never really knew why. Thankfully I’ve used only water on my Italian pipes with acrylic stems and have never had a problem.

 

[bent1]

Glad this thread was resurrected. I worked for a plastic distributor for a couple years, remember an acrylic vendor training session, ammonia based products (ex Windex) would cause hazing & eventually break down the material. Wasn’t aware of alcohol attacking acrylic, though it wasn’t discussed. I attempted a retort on an acrylic steamed pipe, cost me a new stem. I use soft scrub or an auto rubbing compound and pipe cleaner, then follow up with dish soap & clean water. Regular maint, I’ll just use soap & water.
Regarding the shank & bowl, I use the salt method. Sometimes I’ll find a spare vulcanite stem that fits & perform a Retort.

 

[instymp]

Post made reminded me of EJames..again.

Bought 2 tampers from him, what a gentleman. Miss him here.

 

[olkofri]

I did rub my acrylic stems with gin or vodka when I got the pipes, in order to disinfect them. Didn't make a habit of regularly rubbing them with alcohol, though. I just wash them with dish soap and lukewarm water now.

 

[bnichols23]

Interesting! When it comes to cleaning I've used 91 for years with no (apparent) problems, but then again I don't have any clear stems. I wonder if my pipes hate me & are just too polite to say anything. Fortunately I don't use it all the time so maybe they're just not cirrhotic yet.
Bill

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Just a good reminder since 70% of my pipes have acrylic stems on them, and prior I was using some high proof vodkas in cleaning airways,but now I may rethink this procedure all over and not make habit of using alcohol in cleaning Acrylic stems

 

[sablebrush52]

Acrylic is my favorite and I haven't had any problems here using an alcohol based cleaner and sweetener.

I was wondering how long it would take for someone to come along and say something like this. Somebody always does. Just because you haven't noticed anything doesn't mean that your tenons aren't getting weakened a little bit with each use.

It's not for nothing that I try to pass on good information. Why do people insist on passing along bad information?
Much as I avoid most youtube videos, this one is to the point. Just skip the first 2 minutes of blather.
https://www.instructables.com/id/Why-You-Dont-Clean-Acrylic-With-Alcohol-Methyl-Eth/
And it's not hard to find this stuff out. Just do a google search.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

just in case,got me some unscented liquid soaps, Thank You SableBrush

 

[ophiuchus]

As shared above, not a good mix. Alcohol breaks down the polymers which constitute the acrylic. While not immediately destructive, it's harmful in the long term. Don't do it! ::