Cleaning lucite stems

[matchstickman]

I recently acquired a couple of used meers that have lucite mouthpieces. From what I have read, they are nowhere near the PITA to clean and sanitize as vulcanite, but beyond that, I cant really find anything about how to clean them. Can you swab the inside of the stem with alcohol or will it hurt the material? I think I read something long ago about cleaning lucite stems in just regular dish soap and water, but I didnt know if this was a good idea either. Any help is appreciated.

 

[yohanan]

If they have lucite stems you can clean just like a vulcanite stem, Now if they are amber stems(and I mean real amber stems and not amber colored lucite stems) I believe they can be fragile and have to use a different cleaning method on them.

 

[matchstickman]

Im pretty sure that they are actual lucite. One has a bright yellow stem and the other has a blue swirlish looking stem on it.

 

[olderthandirt]

I've had good results using peroxide on clear and opaque lucite/acrylic stems.
Not uncommon to get an estate with a lucite stem and no matter how hard you try the airway remains dark.

One really bad clear stem I had was a bent. I sat it so both ends pointed up, using a pipette filled it with peroxide. After 24 hours or so I emptied it out and with a few scrubs with a pipe cleaner it was close to spotless.
I have read where alcohol can sometimes cause crazing, I've not had that occur but I stick with the peroxide just to play it safe.
And OBTW MM, pics of those new to you meers!

 

[matchstickman]

olderthandirt, I had this thread going for a long time before I even figured out that this damn thing WAS a meerschaum. Pictures can be found in this thread: http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/how-to-tell-the-difference-between-white-briar-and-meerschaum#post-99685
As for the other meer, I purchased it from a friend online. He sent me some pictures but Im not really sure what I did with them. I havent received it yet but should within the next day or two. Ill see if I can scrounge one up.

 

[matchstickman]

And just so were clear, do you dip the whole thing in peroxide or just fill the inside with peroxide and leave the outside alone?

 

[olderthandirt]

Uh-huh

I remember that thread MM.

In as much as the stem isn't clear you won't have any trouble keeping it clean!
I just filled the airway, never did completely immerse it. Don't s'pose it would hurt to do so.

 

[mp31guitar]

I clean out my lucite stems with everclear. I wipe them down with Briar Pipe Wipe.

 

[ssjones]

Lucite polishes wonderfully and easily. I use Meguiars Plastic polish, available at any autostore. There are several other brands that probably work as well.