How to Effectively Clean Pipe Rim?

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Title reworded a touch.-jpm

Despite the fact I'm trying to keep this very Dunhill clean , smoking it only indoors, keeping the flame 1 inch away from the rim it still seems to be very prone to darkening,same way as my other natural /light stain finished sandblast pipes,I already have cleaned out that sooth once using the Murpy's soap and teeth brush, but are there any another alternative and effective methods which I may have not looked yet into?

 

[TheIronMonkey]

Saliva has enzymes that will help break down the build up. A moistened paper towel might be appropriate, a Q-tip possibly too abrasive. My concern would be taking off the finish. Go slowly and gently with patience.

 

[Hillcrest]

Despite the fact I'm trying to keep this very Dunhill clean , smoking it only indoors, keeping the flame 1 inch away from the rim it still seems to be very prone to darkening,same way as my other natural /light stain finished sandblast pipes,I already have cleaned out that sooth once using the Murpy's soap and teeth brush, but are there any another alternative and effective methods which I may have not looked yet into?
View attachment 136776

In my experience only, its hard to avoid be because the heat from lighting and the smoke drifting up darkens the rim. I use the wet paper towel method after to wipe off after each bowl and rewax lightly once a week or so. Eventually (years later) you can sand and refinish as pipe restorers do which makes it newish again. Its a natural process so don't let the stress prevent you from enjoying the pipe.

 

[leonardbill1]

Spit and a handi wipe have always worked for me. I just wet my finger, run it around the top of the rim then wipe it off. Depending on how much buildup there is it may take a couple of times and a little elbow grease. Then I'll polish with another handi wipe and some pipe polish.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Wet paper towel.

 

[sablebrush52]

Depends on what's causing the darkening. Spit will break down the residue that collects on the rim, as will cold coffee. But not all darkening is cause by residue, and it may simply be the effect of heat, which will darken the wood.

 

[kcghost]

I prefer to put luke warm coffee to remove residue on the rim. Apply coffee with a paper towel and voila you will have a clean pipe.

 

[crawdad]

As gently as you can…

 

[mikethompson]

One thing you can try to prevent further darkening is to coat the rim somehow. Maybe a thin layer of wax?

 

[jpmcwjr]

This is more of a question than suggestion, but with the rim being rusticated (or blasted) wouldn't an old toothbrush work well - with coffee or spit. ??

 

[ravkesef]

I have used saliva and a Q-tip on smooth rims, and saliva and a soft toothbrush on rough rims, all with great success. wiping it off with a soft cloth afterwards. I haven’t tried a Handi-Wipe, but I imagine that it would work. The key, it seems, is saliva, for the reason(s) mentioned above

 

[FurCoat]

I use spit

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Thank You for your time & answers

 

[Hillcrest]

Depends on what's causing the darkening. Spit will break down the residue that collects on the rim, as will cold coffee. But not all darkening is cause by residue, and it may simply be the effect of heat, which will darken the wood.

Thank you for the coffee tip ! I tried it this morning and wow ! Works like a charm. I can see the birdseye and grain again ... quick and efficient ... a bit of wax and it will be close to 'restored' ... Thats my new method ! Thanks again !