Have I Ruined my Pipes?!

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apophis

Lurker
May 31, 2024
5
10
Serbia
So, i bought some estate pipes, nothing fancy, in order to restore them (true begginer all the way).
Among other things, on the outside of the bowl, after scrubbing it with toothbrush and water, and sanding it with sandpaper (very fine), i've used some store furniture detergent and furniture polish. It all dried up, and i've applied some olive oil, and buffed it all.
Have i possibly made my pipes toxic with those store furniture stuff?
Sorry for my english, i am from Serbia.
 

ssjones

Moderator
Staff member
May 11, 2011
18,982
12,998
Covington, Louisiana
postimg.cc
If you applied the furniture detergent and polish inside the bowl - I'd remove that residue with an alcohol/sea salt or cotton soak (put media in the bowl, cork/plug the stem, fill with alcohol). If you cleaned the exeterior only, no problem.
 
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apophis

Lurker
May 31, 2024
5
10
Serbia
Nope, inside of the bowl i just did some reaming, and salt/alcohol treatment. That furniture stuff and oil was just on the outside, because i cant get ahold of carnauba or beeswax.
 
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BayouGhost

Starting to Get Obsessed
Apr 10, 2024
116
1,000
Louisiana
Dobar dan sir. In the future, for stain/finish removal, I have gone to a purely food safe route and used vodka for wax removal or gum spirits of turpentine (non-petroleum solvent from pine trees) for full stain removal also and then any finish applied is a natural oil resin varnish like Tried and True oil varnish that is linseed oil and pine resin or the Tried and True (or similar brand) Original which is linseed oil and beeswax. If darkening is needed, I will use something called aquafortis or iron nitrite which is basically rusted nails or iron dissolved in vinegar and when heat is applied it turns a rust brown and then darkens further when the oil is applied over it. The finishes are non-toxic and edible (not for the turpentine). I learned this stuff from making replicas of antique flintlock rifles and tomahawk pipes. Basic 18th century technology, but it looks way better than any modern finish in my opinion. Take care.
 

jpmcwjr

Modern Moderator
Staff member
May 12, 2015
26,199
30,136
Carmel Valley, CA
So, i bought some estate pipes, nothing fancy, in order to restore them (true begginer all the way).
Among other things, on the outside of the bowl, after scrubbing it with toothbrush and water, and sanding it with sandpaper (very fine), i've used some store furniture detergent and furniture polish. It all dried up, and i've applied some olive oil, and buffed it all.
Have i possibly made my pipes toxic with those store furniture stuff?
Sorry for my english, i am from Serbia.
Greetings from California!

On the outside, no problem. What was the name of the furniture detergent?

Please introduce yourself and make yourself comfortable!
 

woodsroad

Lifer
Oct 10, 2013
12,611
20,001
SE PA USA
Avoid vegetable oil, it will gum and go rancid. Mineral oil works well. Beeswax can be bought from any beekeeper. Look up your local beekeeping club, they will help you.

Most important: Don’t worry about any of this. Relax and enjoy. We’re here to help (mostly).
 
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apophis

Lurker
May 31, 2024
5
10
Serbia
Thank you all for your advices, and your heart-warming
welcome.
My name is Aleksandar, 35 years old, from Serbia, tobacco afficionado.
That futniture stuff is Vir-Poliercreme, and Emsal - Solid Wood
IMG_20240531_192300.jpg
These are my pipes, small one is from my late grandfather that i restored purely out of love, others are that i bought and restored for smoking.IMG_20240530_150504.jpgIMG_20240530_150525.jpgIMG_20240530_150712.jpgIMG_20240530_150746.jpg
 

apophis

Lurker
May 31, 2024
5
10
Serbia
Dobar dan sir. In the future, for stain/finish removal, I have gone to a purely food safe route and used vodka for wax removal or gum spirits of turpentine (non-petroleum solvent from pine trees) for full stain removal also and then any finish applied is a natural oil resin varnish like Tried and True oil varnish that is linseed oil and pine resin or the Tried and True (or similar brand) Original which is linseed oil and beeswax. If darkening is needed, I will use something called aquafortis or iron nitrite which is basically rusted nails or iron dissolved in vinegar and when heat is applied it turns a rust brown and then darkens further when the oil is applied over it. The finishes are non-toxic and edible (not for the turpentine). I learned this stuff from making replicas of antique flintlock rifles and tomahawk pipes. Basic 18th century technology, but it looks way better than any modern finish in my opinion. Take care.
Dobar dan to you too, sir, da si živ i zdrav!
 
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jpmcwjr

Modern Moderator
Staff member
May 12, 2015
26,199
30,136
Carmel Valley, CA
Welcome from California!

Please put your location in your Profile!
Why: It will save time for others when you mention local stores, weather, tobacco prices, availability, regulations, location of photos, wildfires, air quality, etc.
How: Under your avatar, (top right, left most of three symbols) you choose "Account Details", which brings up "My Account". "My Location" is halfway down.
 
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