Ideas for a Vulcanite Stem Soak?
- Thread starter ShopPipesWizard
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There's no such thing as too small a hole for an ultrasonic machine. If the liquid solution is in the hole, so are the sonic waves. Are you sure your machine is working correctly? If it's a cheap one, the transducer can fall off or come loose from the bottom of the basin, thereby making it useless.
I've used mine on stems and it works fantastic. It shouldn't take more than 10 minutes, followed by a pipe scrubber brush and Bob's Your Uncle
If that doesn't get it out, I don't think that what you're trying to clean out, is what you think it is. It sounds like you've scrubbed on this a bit. If it was normal stem tar we wouldn't be having this conversation.
Given the fact that it's an estate pipe, someone could have stuck a hot nail in there for all you know. It might be melted vulcanite.
One more thing... you said leaving it in alcohol did more damage than good. That should not be the case with vulcanite. Are you sure it's not an acrylic stem? Alcohol will damage that! And if someone in the past stuck a drill bit, or some other nefarious object in there and didn't know what they were doing, it might have easily screwed up the pathway, and that's what your problem is.
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I will have to double check. What do you use for your cleaning solution in the ultra sonic?There's no such thing as too small a hole for an ultrasonic machine. If the liquid solution is in the hole, so are the sonic waves. Are you sure your machine is working correctly? If it's a cheap one, the transducer can fall off or come loose from the bottom of the basin, thereby making it useless.
I've used mine on stems and it works fantastic. It shouldn't take more than 10 minutes, followed by a pipe scrubber brush and Bob's Your Uncle
If that doesn't get it out, I don't think that what you're trying to clean out, is what you think it is. It sounds like you've scrubbed on this a bit. If it was normal stem tar we wouldn't be having this conversation.
Given the fact that it's an estate pipe, someone could have stuck a hot nail in there for all you know. It might be melted vulcanite.
One more thing... you said leaving it in alcohol did more damage than good. That should not be the case with vulcanite. Are you sure it's not an acrylic stem? Alcohol will damage that! And if someone in the past stuck a drill bit, or some other nefarious object in there and didn't know what they were doing, it might have easily screwed up the pathway, and that's what your problem is.
Sorry I forgot to mention about alcohol, we are cleaning alot of stems with logos on them(We currently have 10 Savinelli autographs), so we dont want to damage the gold lettering. Alcohol will pull that right off.
I am running through a few ideas on non toxic cleaners! I am up for any ideas anyone has!
I use Everclear, but must admit I haven't come across any logos that were a problem... yet
Strange, as soon as any alcohol touches the painted logos it wipes them right off. Thank you for the help though I really appreciate it!
I know you are not a fan of Oxyclean but its all I have ever used for my oxidized stems and the results are just what I want. All the oxidation and junk are gone and it allows me really get serious with the time consuming task of polishing(no buffing machine here).
I'm just curious; what is your beef with Oxyclean?
I'm just curious; what is your beef with Oxyclean?
Please be mindful if you are cleaning these up for resale of what chemicals you use. Non toxic or not they may have unknown lasting effects.
Yes we are cleaning these up for resale, that is why we are getting away from oxyclean. We will not use any cleaners that can pose a risk. I want to stay with non toxic/plant based products. Honestly the best solution we have so far is to soak the stems in mineral oil and put it on agitator machine. I might do salt and mineral oil so it provides a salt scrub, to help loosen deposits.
No intended to offend, but with your screen name and stated intent I would hope this task was already in your wheelhouse.
I usually do an everclear soak on estate stummels and when I do that, I leave the tail of the draft hole cleaner (usually and “extra absorbent” fluffy) extending out and slide stem onto it to “soak” too.
Tough nasty stems I’ve actually used everclear and toothpaste on a long cleaner with one end clamped to bench to facilitate aggressive (but not too aggressive) cleaning once I can work one through.
I’m but a very green novice, but I won’t soak vulcanite stems in any chemicals (esp oxiclean) any more-jacked up a nice one properly before I even knew what I was doing.
I usually do an everclear soak on estate stummels and when I do that, I leave the tail of the draft hole cleaner (usually and “extra absorbent” fluffy) extending out and slide stem onto it to “soak” too.
Tough nasty stems I’ve actually used everclear and toothpaste on a long cleaner with one end clamped to bench to facilitate aggressive (but not too aggressive) cleaning once I can work one through.
I’m but a very green novice, but I won’t soak vulcanite stems in any chemicals (esp oxiclean) any more-jacked up a nice one properly before I even knew what I was doing.