How Do I Make it Shiny?

[atjurhs]

EDIT: Fixed Capitalization in Title (See Rule 9)

My local shop has a pipe I really like and I'm thinking about buying it, but it is bare would, and I would like it to be shiny (maybe at least somewhat). Before I buy it, what kind of varnish/lacquer/urethane do I use?

 

[anotherbob]

there will be lots of suggestions. My favorite is to just keep smoking the thing. Seriously over time unfinished pipes get a mean shine. I think it's a combo of being handled and smoke act like varnish or something like that.

 

[atjurhs]

Yea, but I don't like the discoloration it gets from the dirt/oils in your hands. I want something to protect it from that.

 

[jpmcwjr]

None of the above. A light coating of mineral oil is indicated. If you are getting it "dirty", just wash it off and reapply oil. Over time, the pipe will take on a luster, and will darken. Just buffing with a soft cotton cloth will make it glow. But you need patience.

 

[atjurhs]

None of the above. A light coating of mineral oil is indicated. If you are getting it "dirty", just wash it off and reapply oil. Over time, the pipe will take on a luster, and will darken. Just buffing with a soft cotton cloth will make it glow. But you need patience.

I read one guy used carnuba wax and a buffing wheel on a Dremel?

 

[jpberg]

A natural pipe will discolor(color) regardless.
If you tell yourself the color is coming from your superior smoking technique you’ll really like it.

 

[craig61a]

Part of the attraction of bare wood or natural “finishes” on pipes is the coloring it picks up over time.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Yea, but I don't like the discoloration it gets from the dirt/oils in your hands. I want something to protect it from that.

It's going to discolor from heat and smoking.

 

[FurCoat]

I use my yard cobs if I'm smoking with dirty hands and they get no mercy. Any other time I smoke, my hands are clean. This is my series III Savinelli 622 ks. I went over it lightly with micro mesh pads (3000 to 12000) which smoothed out the wood and brought out the grain. Gave it a natural shine. It has colored nicely over the past couple of years.

 

[ofafeather]

I use my yard cobs if I'm smoking with dirty hands and they get no mercy. Any other time I smoke, my hands are clean. This is my series III Savinelli 622 ks. I went over it lightly with micro mesh pads (3000 to 12000) which smoothed out the wood and brought out the grain. Gave it a natural shine. It has colored nicely over the past couple of years. View attachment 91795

+1 It’s amazing what sanding through the grits can do for a shine with no other finish. Then you can use the mineral oil as @jpberg suggested or something like Paragon wax or Renaissance wax. You won’t need a buffing wheel with either. You can use a caranuba wax with a dremel but it might take some practice to get right. Regardless, light or natural colored briar finish will darken over time as you smoke them. I love to see that progression but some people don’t.

 

[mortonbriar]

Carnauba wax buffed on will make it shine, and keep it fairly light in colour too. Is it a smooth pipe? buffing something rusticated or blasted can be a bit annoying because of how the wax collects in the dips/pits.

 

[FurCoat]

+1 It’s amazing what sanding through the grits can do for a shine with no other finish. Then you can use the mineral oil as @jpberg suggested or something like Paragon wax or Renaissance wax. You won’t need a buffing wheel with either. You can use a caranuba wax with a dremel but it might take some practice to get right. Regardless, light or natural colored briar finish will darken over time as you smoke them. I love to see that progression but some people don’t.

I might just do that, Paragon wax it that is. Mineral oil is great stuff. I wipe down my vulcanite stems after each use and haven't had to clean them in years.

 

[OzPiper]

EDIT: Fixed Capitalization in Title (See Rule 9)

what kind of varnish/lacquer/urethane do I use?

Do not use urethane unless you want it looking like a high-gloss floorboard. I love the soft shine you get from wax or oil finishes.
An unstained pipe will darken with use, irregardless of how it's treated.

 

[ashdigger]

They was an eBay seller and they used photoshop on their pipes to make them Shiny

 

[atjurhs]

I think I'm going to try Halcyon II wax. It's supposed to be better for rusticated pipes or those with grooves.

 

[ofafeather]

I think I'm going to try Halcyon II wax. It's supposed to be better for rusticated pipes or those with grooves.

Yeah, good stuff. If you use Paragon or another harder wax that might get stuck in grooves, apply gentle heat and it should dissipate. Carnauba would be much more challenging.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

They was an eBay seller and they used photoshop on their pipes to make them Shiny

And, it works great to cover blemishes, and it fixes pits like magic. Ha ha

 

[LotusEater]

MacB Navy Flake in a Stanwell lovat

 

[LotusEater]

Whoops - wrong thread
Sorry