I recently bought a Grabow Viking off eBay for $10. I took a chance as there was only one picture. I am trying to think ahead and learn how to clean it. I was wondering if anyone had tips for cleaning out the metal works in particular.
Cleaning the Metal on a Viking
- Thread starter smokedragon
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I would say heat would probably help loosen a lot up and maybe try to run a wire through to open it up then just move onto pipe cleaners and alcohol.
Not sure about boiling; I've had success with a toaster oven though; and running a wire through it so that a wire bristle cleaner will pass through. Just don't go too hot and don't mistreat your pipe when the metal is warm and allow it to cool naturally. As far is shining it up from a chemical standpoint phosphoric acid would works the best on aluminum, but alkali solutions are available for yor car rims at the autoparts store. That with a little elbow grease and a tooth brush should suffice.
Clean it inside just as you would any other pipe. I believe they are plated,not anodized. Any good metal polish would be fine. Stems are ABS except for the very early models. I have a few Vikings,but they hang on a display and don't get smoked. Never really got into the "Metals". You can probably get more info here- http://drgrabows.myfreeforum.org/index.php?sid=c13a84f8440dc5de0af48b4afec89e6c
I had a Viking that was really dirty and had god knows what else on it that would not come off with the usual methods of cleaning, so I tried some CLR and it worked. Surprised me how well it worked, I just let it sit for about an hour took it out, rinsed it off, and it was spotless. I did not have the small stem or bowl on when I did this, just the metal. I would also say though use your own discretion if you decide to try this.
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