How Can I Get the Stem to Shine Like New?

[mgolfd]

Hey guys
I purchased a James Upshall Dublin shape on ebay. I used oxyclean for 5 minutes to sterlize the stem. When I did this it turned the stem a charcoal grey color, then used Brebbia stem polish thinking it would bring back that nice black shine, it didnt. I searched the forums and the web up and down and cant seem to find an answer. I do not have a dremel or a buffer so its all manual labor which is fine. Any tips or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[pruss]

Hey there mgolfd, welcome to the forum community. We're glad you're here!
Cleaning up pipe stems is covered pretty extensively in the Pipe Repair section of the forum. That having been said here are a couple quick steps to follow to bring up the shine:
1) Soak the stem in oxyclean, for at least an hour... I've gone as long as 24 'cause I got distracted

2) Rinse the stem until it is free of oxyclean and no longer feels 'slimy'

3) Wet sand the stem with 0000 steel wool until the pipe is a dull matte black

4) Using a wet magic eraser continue to rub down the stem to smooth it to a dull shine

5) Buff using whatever methods you have available to you (fingernail buffing board, buffing wheel, dremel, pipe cloth, obsidian oil and a cotton towel
There are MANY iterations of the steps above using myriad products... these steps are simply those I follow and should not be taken as the ONLY or RIGHT way to do this. I'm still fumbling through this process too.
Best of luck!
-- Pat

 

[yazamitaz]

Hey Mgolfd,
Welcome to the forums. As a FYI I followed Pat's directions and actually started a thread here showing my results. The thread is here:
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/my-first-attempt-at-stem-restoration
Good luck with your project.
Dan

 

[redbeard]

I would scrub them with a majic eraser till the easer no longer becomes yellow when rubbing the steam. After that sand with 2000 wet sand paper and then use your favorite stem oil if you have it. Polish it up with a soft cloth a it will be nice and shiny.

 

[mgolfd]

Thanks guys, and tonight's project is....

 

[kashmir]

I've been dealing with vulcanite stems for nearly thirty years now. No buffing wheel. Just elbow grease, stem polish, olive oil then Obsidian oil. And to be honest I'm just about done. I've got 65 pipes in my rotation and I've already begun the conversion to Lucite. Ain't got no patience left for vulcanite upkeep.

 

[philip]

Hi, Marky D.
Try reading this: Pipe Stem Restoration by matchstickman.

 

[andrew]

http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/the-bic-lighter-stem-oxidation-removal-technique
Personally I love this method, if it's a bent stem though the stem will straighten out so you have to reshape it, but it's very easy to, plus you can add more of a bend or less if you want. It's quite quick and easy and doesn't require all the sanding. The key is letting it get hot enough, you'll smell a rancid burning rubber smell, then just wipe off with a wet paper towel and you'll see brown oil coming off. My worst stem I had turned to a nice jet black color after doing this.

 

[coolsiggy]

I use toothpaste to clean a oxidized or dirty stem, also great for any clear plastic surface to remove scratches. I have bought a number of quality pipes at discount do to sun exposure on the stems.

 

[ssjones]

Wet sandpaper, micromesh and then an automotive plastic polish will fix up that Upshall. I'm an Upshall fan, lets see your new acquisition!
Here is a nice summary of techniques and materials:

http://rebornpipes.wordpress.com/2012/06/02/removing-oxidization-on-vulcanite-stems-2/

(my restorations here are under "upshallfan")

 

[durham270]

Some might agree with me and some not but this is what I do and always end up with a nice shiny new looking pipe stem.
I use the following method:
(First off apply a protective layer of petroleum jelly to any markings on stem and stem tenon beforehand. I do this using a QTip)
1] Soak the stem in bleach/water solution for 30 minutes or more depending on severity of oxidation.
2] Rinse in cold water
3] Use 1200 grit sandpaper and elbow grease.
4] Buff with marine polish compound using a Dremel buffing wheel. This might take more than one coating. I've reapplied and polished some stems 3-4 times to get the right shine.
5] Buff stem using Carnuaba wax with a new clean Dremel polishing wheel.
You should now have a nice shiny new looking stem.