How to Clean an Acrylic Stem Draft Hole

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mingc

Lifer
Jun 20, 2019
3,976
11,065
The Big Rock Candy Mountains
So, I finally found a used Peter Heeschen bent P that I've always wanted. However, it has a transparent yellow acrylic stem that has a stained draft hole. I've tried alcohol, and soap to no avail, so I figure I need to get some polishing compound or liquid in there and mechanically scrub away with a pipe cleaner. Question is: what compound or polish? Let me know what's worked for you.
 

Chasing Embers

Captain of the Black Frigate
Nov 12, 2014
43,248
108,348
Soak it overnight in lemon juice. Avoid alcohol on acrylic as it can cause crazing.
 
Professional grade ultrasonics are cheap nowadays and if you are a pipe collector who likes to actually smoke your pipes, it's a no brainer. You can get a nice one for under a hundred bucks on Amazon these days.

Remember: What you see in your transparent stems exist in your opaque stems also. An Ultrasonic takes . care of that. :)
 
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mingc

Lifer
Jun 20, 2019
3,976
11,065
The Big Rock Candy Mountains
No alcohol. Check.

Unfortunately, the stem has a decorative rosewood ring that rules out soaking. Actually, fortunately, because rosewood is really lovely.

I'll try the toothpaste and see if lemon juice, sans soaking, does anything.
 
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