How to Maintain Vulcanite Stems Easy and Safe?

[Mis Pipas]

After each smoke I clean the stemp and spread with mineral oil.

 

[mso489]

For a quick after-smoke cleaning after the bowl and airway is scooped, pipe cleaner cleaned and clear, and before a brisk buffing with a stiff and then a soft cloth, I like to clean off the bit on Vulcanite pipes with a bristle pipe cleaner to brighten it up. This isn't a strong measure, but keeps the oxidation at bay.

 

[BROBS]

For a quick after-smoke cleaning after the bowl and airway is scooped, pipe cleaner cleaned and clear, and before a brisk buffing with a stiff and then a soft cloth, I like to clean off the bit on Vulcanite pipes with a bristle pipe cleaner to brighten it up. This isn't a strong measure, but keeps the oxidation at bay.

another good trick is a dry paper towel

 

[Old School 3319]

I use beard oil on my pipes about once a week> just smoke a different pipe every morning and when i am applying it to my beard I rub whats left on my pipe

 

[elnoblecigarro]

Okay folks,
here is the after picture:


I wiped them with moist towel and baking soda until all the green came off. Then I applied the mineral oil with paper towels. I think it turned out quite nice.

 

[laniromee]

Immediately after each smoke I will thoroughly dry the stem. After the pipe has cooled down a bit, I give it a thin coat of olive oil and that's it. I have no reason to prefer olive over mineral but I do.

 

[mikethompson]

Mineral oil is a very inexpensive way to keep your stems looking black. I'm glad you gave it a shot and like the results.

Something else you might want to try is regular chapstick.

 

[jhowell]

Immediately after each smoke I will thoroughly dry the stem. After the pipe has cooled down a bit, I give it a thin coat of olive oil and that's it. I have no reason to prefer olive over mineral but I do.

Olive oil could possibly go rancid.

 

[craig61a]

Mineral Oil is way cheaper than mineral oil with black die and possibly some UV blockers, and available at your Chemist's, Drug Store, Hardware store, maybe even gas station.

I'd first just rub the stem down with just a drop or two of mineral oil, see how they look. They may pass your inspection. Other more rigorous treatment can then happen if they aren't shiny or black enough for you.

Please post photos!

Food grade mineral oil is cheap... I’ve still got a bottle I bought almost 10 years ago.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Glad that worked so well for you, and thanks for the photo!

 

[laniromee]

Olive oil could possibly go rancid.

I heard the stories but mine never did, for some reason. Maybe people are using unfiltered olive oil?

 

[jpmcwjr]

I heard the stories but mine never did, for some reason. Maybe people are using unfiltered olive oil?

Any olive oil will go rancid in time. But on a pipe stem, the handling, cleaning, probably prevents that.

 

[laniromee]

Any olive oil will go rancid in time. But on a pipe stem, the handling, cleaning, probably prevents that.

I guess since olive oil is a perishable product that makes sense, but I can tell you it hasn't happened yet to me even though some of those pipes are not handled too much. Maybe I should switch before it does since I already have lots of mineral oil for knife care.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

So-Called Obsidian oil is supposed to contain secret ingredients which effectively protects pipestems from harmful UV rays

 

[jpmcwjr]

So-Called Obsidian oil is supposed to contain secret ingredients which effectively protects pipestems from harmful UV rays

And it may well, but my pipes seldom get exposed to UV light.

 

[elnoblecigarro]

I was wondering if the oxidation process goes on forever or does it ever reach a limit ?

If the green stuff is sulfur and you rub it off then would the sulfur "run out" at some point? Would this have any noticeable effect on the quality of rubber?



Luckily it seems easy to take care of, and I really like vulcanite stems. The plastic feel of acrylic stems doesn't please me.