How to clean without stripping the stain

[themitch]

Sorry if this has alredy been discussed elsewhere, but a search gave no results.

So with natural finished estate pipes I like to scrub them (on the outside) with a toothbrush and natural olive oil soap, marvelling over the amount of grime and dirt coming off. Doing the same to a stained pipe would remove the color, so is there a method to clean away said dirt without attacking the underlying finish? (Rewaxing is no problem, but restaining is out of my league).

 

[donjgiles]

I have used Murphy's Oil Soap and not noticed any stain removal.

Be careful not to get it into the bowl as it will not taste very good.
Don

 

[ashdigger]

Donjgiles is exactly correct. Murphy's is the way to go.

 

[seanv]

Stuff the bowl with a paper towel as an extra precaution

 

[leafsmoker]

Thanks for the post. I was wondering the same thing.

 

[trouttimes]

Another vote for Murphys

 

[themitch]

Thank you all!

I'll have to see if I find an Italian/European counterpart to Murphy's.