Cleaning stubborn estate

[willisk]

So I picked up vintage Medico that has a screw on bit it had a stinger which I removed

But I’ve cleaned this with alchohol several times!! I even did a 24 hour salt treat!! The shank is filthy I think I am calling it the right part

Between the bowl and the big. I can soak a pipe cleaner and run it, and use 20 a tips and they all come out dark brown? The brown had about 3/8 of inch thick cake

Which I removed so can the shank build cake to? I’m baffled as to how to get this clean. Please help and feel free to correct me on my pipe anatomy lol!!

 

[bluto]

Ream it ?

 

[mikethompson]

Before taking a reamer to it, try a coffee ground soak. Use slightly damp coffee grounds and stuff the bowl and stem with them. Then let it sit for a few days. See if that helps things at all.

 

[willisk]

I will definitely try the coffe ground soak!! I don’t think I need to ream the bowl it is clean and cake free I didn’t have a issue there but the stem has a metal band pressed onto it that the bit

Threads into so I don’t think I can ream the stem, can I? I saw bowl readers on line but nothing for the stem?
If it didn’t have the threads in the way I was thinking I could get a drill bit one size to big and use my drill press but with the threads that is not an option!!

 

[jpmcwjr]

Hot water flushes. Really helps with airway and mortise. Swab out the mortise with Qtips after the flush.

 

[highwaycobbery]

Shank brush, get them from smoking pipes.com also find 99% alcohol, don’t use the drugstore brand. If you have a head shop near by they usually carry the 99%, or get ever clear. If it will strip the paint of a car it will clear up that gunk!

 

[bluto]

Isopropyl alcohol iirc , is 100 percent , gasline antifreeze
.. don't ingest it

 

[willisk]

Good tips I been using 99% isopropyl alchohol as it has less alchohol then most

Liquor

 

[bluto]

Something I use for cleaning porcelain wash basins and polishing , back to clear , faded headlight lenses on old cars is .... toothpaste
Excellent abrasive , some types have tri sodium phosphate ..

 

[highwaycobbery]

Toothpaste is great for your silver or nickel bands on your pipe too, although for cleaning vulcanite nothing beats a mr. clean magic eraser. It works like....what’s the word I’m looking for? 8O

 

[bluto]

Uh , magic ..

 

[highwaycobbery]

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