I have a pipe bowl, it's for a Dr Grabow Viking, that is black but I would prefer it to be a natural color. Is there anyway to remove it. It is sandblasted, so it's not smooth, if that matters.
How to re-color a pipe
- Thread starter wlrountree
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Chasingembers, how long would you soak? I tried that before and it just turned the cavities from the sandblast a reddish color.
Finish, but not the stain. Have used acetone on several pipes to remove lacquer and shellac, but the stain was safe and sound.
I'm kind of amazed, to tell the truth. I've used acetone to soften paint, thin epoxy and it's one hell of an adhesive remover not to mention removing ladies fingernail polish-- and it doesn't touch stain! Ok, I'm gonna have to find out why now.
Uh oh, I've started something bad. 
That alcohol based stain used on a lot of pipes is a bear to remove, and I have never completely been able to remove it all, though an alcohol soak will remove enough for restaining.
That alcohol based stain used on a lot of pipes is a bear to remove, and I have never completely been able to remove it all, though an alcohol soak will remove enough for restaining.
Uh oh, I've started something bad.
Yes you did. I never thought about acetone for this application, but it makes sense ... I was eyeing my rack and thinking about trying this out. I've never been a fan of lacquer on pipes.
You learn something every day. Thanks! :D
Just use a paper towel to apply it and wipe it off. A couple of passes, and no more lacquer. Rattray's uses something, however, that even the acetone won't budge! 8O
I recently cleaned up a really grungy rusticated bent bulldog.
After reaming it and letting it sit for a couple of days with kosher salt and everclear I went to work on the stummel.
I used everclear again and a small wire brush, picked up from Hobby Lobby.
Being careful not to damage the briar, I cleaned out all of the nooks an crannies from the years of grunge, wax and whatever else and accumulated there.
After this I wiped the pipe down with a cloth soaked in everclear
The difference was amazing.
I decided to then buff it with rouge polish on the buffing wheel, careful not to get too much polish in the newly cleaned crevices, then buffed the stummel with a stiff shoe brush.
I then buffed it with carnuba wax on the the other carnuba wax only wheel of my buffer and then finished that up with a good buffing with a stiff shoe brush again and finally wiped it down good with a very soft cloth.
As for the staining, on other pipes that I've stripped and sanded down, I've used the Fiebings Leather Dye, alcohol based, with very good results.
I'm obviously no expert, so this advice is worth what ya paid for it. :wink:
After reaming it and letting it sit for a couple of days with kosher salt and everclear I went to work on the stummel.
I used everclear again and a small wire brush, picked up from Hobby Lobby.
Being careful not to damage the briar, I cleaned out all of the nooks an crannies from the years of grunge, wax and whatever else and accumulated there.
After this I wiped the pipe down with a cloth soaked in everclear
The difference was amazing.
I decided to then buff it with rouge polish on the buffing wheel, careful not to get too much polish in the newly cleaned crevices, then buffed the stummel with a stiff shoe brush.
I then buffed it with carnuba wax on the the other carnuba wax only wheel of my buffer and then finished that up with a good buffing with a stiff shoe brush again and finally wiped it down good with a very soft cloth.
As for the staining, on other pipes that I've stripped and sanded down, I've used the Fiebings Leather Dye, alcohol based, with very good results.
I'm obviously no expert, so this advice is worth what ya paid for it. :wink:
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