How Can I Repair Chips on a Peterson Ebony?

[Kirklands]

Title edited for caps. Please read Rule.

I recently purchased this Sherlock Holmes with the ebony finish. How might I go about repairing the chips in the finish?

 

[simong]

You’ll get better advice from others but if it was my pipe, I’d strip it back to bare wood & repaint it. Either that or leave it as it is.

 

[Zero]

 

[kcghost]

I can't tell from the photo whether it is an actual chip or merely some varnish that a has flaked off.

 

[Kirklands]

I can't tell from the photo whether it is an actual chip or merely some varnish that a has flaked off.

It is the varnish that is chipped, not the wood.

 

[Hillcrest]

I thought those were 7 coats of black lacquer paint ... no ???

 

[Pipeoff]

You’ll get better advice from others but if it was my pipe, I’d strip it back to bare wood & repaint it. Either that or leave it as it is.

I agree to strip it and start over, would find it interesting if has nice even grain or another thick paint coverup.

 

[kcghost]

You do have the choice of leaving it alone, for one. And, as you said, you could just sand the whole thing off and re-apply the varnish.

 

[Kirklands]

I thought those were 7 coats of black lacquer paint ... no ???

I had wondered what process was used to produce the finish. Nice to know. Thanks.

 

[Hillcrest]

I had wondered what process was used to produce the finish. Nice to know. Thanks.

I believe I read that the ebony stummels need to be virtually free of grain and birdseye (blond briar) and blemishes so that the 7 coats of lacquer can be applied properly. But you can check this on the Peterson site I suppose or Peterson Pipe Notes.

 

[jpmcwjr]

You couldn't pay me enough to strip that pipe of its finish. I guess I am in the Magic Marker camp.

 

[Hillcrest]

I had wondered what process was used to produce the finish. Nice to know. Thanks.

Here you go:

367. A History of Peterson’s Ebony Finish, With Help from Sykes Wilford and Adam Davidson

An Ebony B64 from the 2013 Antique Collection We’re extremely fortunate to have with us this morning two of my favorite pipe experts to deepen our understanding of what—apart from Natural—is…

petersonpipenotes.org

 

[Bbailey324]

Here you go:

367. A History of Peterson’s Ebony Finish, With Help from Sykes Wilford and Adam Davidson

An Ebony B64 from the 2013 Antique Collection We’re extremely fortunate to have with us this morning two of my favorite pipe experts to deepen our understanding of what—apart from Natural—is…

petersonpipenotes.org

Thanks for posting that link. It was interesting and informative.

 

[AJL67]

Steel wool in vinegar to stain wood black is very cool.

 

[Kirklands]

Here you go:

367. A History of Peterson’s Ebony Finish, With Help from Sykes Wilford and Adam Davidson

An Ebony B64 from the 2013 Antique Collection We’re extremely fortunate to have with us this morning two of my favorite pipe experts to deepen our understanding of what—apart from Natural—is…

petersonpipenotes.org

Very informative article. Stain and Danish oil sound like a possibility, although I think it would be difficult to get it smoothed and polished such as to blend with the rest of the finish. THANKS TO ALL FOR YOUR IMPUT! At this point I'm inclined to either use a magic marker or go the stain and Danish oil route.

 

[Hillcrest]

Very informative article. Stain and Danish oil sound like a possibility, although I think it would be difficult to get it smoothed and polished such as to blend with the rest of the finish. THANKS TO ALL FOR YOUR IMPUT! At this point I'm inclined to either use a magic marker or go the stain and Danish oil route.

For me it would depend on if its a collectible or a smoker; the danish oil and stain seems to be an investment in time and effort. If its a daily smoker then only I need to be satisfied. On my Vauen Olaf black sandblast some of the finish didn't adhere inside some of the pits and wore off around the rim ... a fine point marker took care of the problem in a few minutes to my satisfaction for a daily smoker. Same with my Pete Pub pipe ... I filled a pit because I didn't want it to get any larger ... after staining I used a black marker to blend it to match the rest of the darker areas. I can see it because I know its there but it would require close examination for another to find. As others have said you can always refinish the pipe if you are looking for a project. Somewhere in between is probably the way to go. Non-experts who don't know pipes aren't going to notice.