Care of Different Stem Materials (Vulcanite, Cumberland, Amber, Lucite/Acrylic, Bakelite)

[MCJ]

I know this question comes up regularly, but just curious as to what methods of care members here use for different types of pipe stem materials? Here are my current procedures:

--Vulcanite (aka Ebonite): I stick with Obsidian Oil for this (although I know others also use different oils like olive oil, etc.), applying a small touch after every smoke. Might be overkill, but it does keep oxidation at bay and don't think it can hurt.

--Cumberland: I've been treating my cumberland stems same as vulcanite (a small touch of obsidian oil after each smoke). Don't know if this is needed or not, or if anyone has a better suggestion?

--Genuine Amber: At recommendation of @ashdigger , use a very light touch of chapstick to keep amber stems shiny and looking good. How many also use this, or another method?

--Lucite/Acrylic: Only have one pipe with lucite/acrylic stem currently (a relatively new purchase), so very interested how others care for this material (which seems to be lowest-maintenance material of all the options?).

--Bakelite: Don't have any pipes with Bakelite stems yet, but assume care would be similar to lucite/acrylic?

Look forward to hearing what others do with all the above...

 

[Chasing Embers]

Cumberland: I've been treating my cumberland stems same as vulcanite

Cumberland is vulcanite.

 

[MCJ]

Cumberland is vulcanite.

Thanks for clarifying. That simplifies things for care of Cumberland...

 

[Chasing Embers]

Thanks for clarifying. That simplifies things for care of Cumberland...

Also the same as ebonite but there are varying degrees of quality. Limit UV exposure to those, as well as amber.

 

[condorlover1]

Amber - keep it out of sun light and clean with a soft modeling pipe cleaner dipped in warm water.

 

[sablebrush52]

Don't use alcohol to clean acrylic or bakelite stems. Use warm soapy water and pipe cleaners or pipe brushes.

 

[kcghost]

Good advice from everybody.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

Great reminder!

 

[MCJ]

Definitely lots of good info as well as a great reminder, as noted by @kcghost and @HawkeyeLinus respectively above!

I think the only question I have remaining is with regard to external polishing/shining of acrylic/lucite. Is it worthwhile using obsidian oil or another substance on the exterior of those (either on a regular basis or periodically)?

 

[krizzose]

I will destroy vulcanite bits, so I stick with acrylic. Low maintenance, but as others have said, avoid alcohol.

 

[bullet08]

If you leave 'em be, they might turn ugly, but will serve you well.

 

[Bullmoose]

I am also another supporter of Obsidian oil on vulcanite stems. Majority of my pipes are vulcanite, and the treatment they get inside is 190 Everclear on the pipe cleaner to get the crud out, and two needle pin dabs of Obsidian rubbed in vigorously then followed up with a buff with a cotton cloth diaper. My vulcanites never get oxidized with this system.

On Acrylic/Lucite stems, I clean them out with Dawn dishwashing soap, hot water, and follow up with a tiny dab of chapstick just to coat the stem & restore the shine. Acrylics are far less maintenance than Vulcanite and I don't have to do the chapstick thing every smoke.

I used to use Olive Oil until I found Obsidian and it was my experience, like many others, that while Olive Oil will shine the stem, it does turn a bit rancid after a while and give off a bit of an unpleasant taste. At least that's just me, maybe it doesn't do that to others.

 

[Bullmoose]

I think the only question I have remaining is with regard to external polishing/shining of acrylic/lucite. Is it worthwhile using obsidian oil or another substance on the exterior of those (either on a regular basis or periodically)?

No, because Obsidian isn't going to absorb into the stem like it will with Vulcanite. You want to use a coating just to shine it like chapstick or I've even heard of some folks using beeswax.

 

[PipeIT]

I actually use Obsidian on Vulcanite/Cumberland a small amount, and typically let it sit anywhere from 30 mins. to one hour, sometimes over night after having my evening smoke.

Having them sit over night for the past two years, never seen any problems.

 

[sparker69]

Low maintenance, but as others have said, avoid alcohol.

I have a couple acrylic stems. When I did my "deep clean" after a few months, I ran the pipe cleaner through after I dipped it in a bit of vodka. Is this bad for it? It's just the tip of a pipe cleaner and done maybe a couple times a year.

 

[krizzose]

I have a couple acrylic stems. When I did my "deep clean" after a few months, I ran the pipe cleaner through after I dipped it in a bit of vodka. Is this bad for it? It's just the tip of a pipe cleaner and done maybe a couple times a year.

I have no first hand knowledge of this, but I’ve heard many people I trust opine on this forum and elsewhere that alcohol can cause micro cracks in the acrylic. I don’t want I find out if this is true, and since washing acrylic stems in warm soapy water is no issue, there’s no reason to bother with the alcohol

 

[AroEnglish]

I have no first hand knowledge of this, but I’ve heard many people I trust opine on this forum and elsewhere that alcohol can cause micro cracks in the acrylic. I don’t want I find out if this is true, and since washing acrylic stems in warm soapy water is no issue, there’s no reason to bother with the alcohol

This what @greeneyes, who works as a chemist, has said to me. He did not specify if it was all alcohol or one or more of ethanol, methanol, and isopropanol.

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

Juma makes great stems. Here’s a Scottie Piersel with a Juma stem.

This what @greeneyes, who works as a chemist, has said to me. He did not specify if it was all alcohol or one or more of ethanol, methanol, and isopropanol.

Alcohol will 100% cause micro fissures in an acrylic stem. Have a look at this Perspex stem I cut from rod stock. I swabbed it out with alcohol before I even smoked it watched my beautifully polished bore turn to a crackled shit show in seconds.

 

[greeneyes]

This what @greeneyes, who works as a chemist, has said to me. He did not specify if it was all alcohol or one or more of ethanol, methanol, and isopropanol.

I'm not a chemist just a scientist who works with chemicals. I can take a picture of what alcohol does to acrylic when I get back to work from a workshop I'm at. It causes micro fissures called "crazing."