Is it Safe to Leave Oxidation on Vulcanite?

[Chocolatebars]

Title edited for capitalization. -jpm

Does vulcanite oxidize like rust on iron? Does it need to be attended to or can it be ignored? Will oxidation eat away at the material?

 

[ofafeather]

It doesn’t necessarily eat away at the vulcanite, that I know of. In some cases it can roughen the texture and leave an unpleasant taste and feel, particularly when it reacts with moisture. In other cases it is only seen as a discoloration. The quality of the vulcanite certainly makes a difference.

 

[sablebrush52]

Does vulcanite oxidize like rust on iron? Does it need to be attended to or can it be ignored? Will oxidation eat away at the material?

The amount of material that's oxidized, and by that I mean discolored from exposure to oxygen + sunlight not mouth crud, will continue to increase over time if the affected material is not removed. Once it is removed, sealing the surface with wax will retard it coming back.
Oxidized Vulcanite can impart an off taste from the sulfur in the Vulcanite.

 

[alan73]

Safe ? Sure. There comes a point where it will effect the taste in a very negative way.

A hard rub of some toothpaste with your fingers will adequately do most pipes . I then use mineral oil on the stems once on a great while. Seems to do the trick .

 

[OzPiper]

It will only get worse,

A badly oxidised stem not only looks ugly but will taste sour and sulphurous.

Toothpaste will only remove very superficial, minimal oxidation.

I had to replace a badly oxidised stem once
because of the skanky taste despite all my efforts at cleaning

 

[jpmcwjr]

Washing the Vulcanite stems in hot water and then immediately after they dry, applying mineral oil has kept my pipes from appearing to oxidize further. I say appear, as I cannot notice any difference over the 5 -6 years I have been doing so. YMMV.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Toothpaste will only remove very superficial, minimal oxidation.

If any removal at all. Toothpaste will mainly shine a stem.

 

[sablebrush52]

Depending on the level of oxidation, you may need to physically sand it off to stop the spread. There's a difference between cosmetics and a structural restoration. Every restorer I've spoken with, from the late great Jim Benjamin, to RonnieB to George Dibos says the same thing.

If a stem gets severely oxidized the only real alternative to to replace it.

 

[k o h l e w]

Surprised no one mentioned the article about vulcanite stem maintenance on SmokingPipes. The article is, of course like most articles on SmokingPipes, an advertisement for something they sell.
smokingpipes.com | Pipe Tobacco - https://www.smokingpipes.com/smokingpipesblog/single.cfm/post/how-care-for-vulcanite-stems

smokingpipes.com | Pipe Tobacco - https://www.smokingpipes.com/smokingpipesblog/single.cfm/post/how-use-obsidian-oil

I am curious to know if there is any special care needed for acrylic stems. After finding an old Home Comfort cob pipe from the Fifties (Missouri Meerschaum, 39 cents) in a closet on an island off the coast of Maine, I discovered that the draw hole in some stems are ridiculously small. I’ve put this acrylic stem through a lot —hot water treatment, olive oil extraction, 91% isopropyl alcohol, and last but not least 151-proof grain alcohol. Some of these methods really screwed up the surfaces of the amber acrylic. The good news is that this experimentation has convinced me that high-proof grain alcohol such as Everclear is the best way to unclog tar-choked stems. The not so good news is that, if I choose to not retire this old Home Comfort, I’ll be seeking out a pipe restorer to make a better amber acrylic stem for this cob. The stems I’ve mail ordered so far have too big of a tenon.

 

[sablebrush52]

Surprised no one mentioned the article about vulcanite stem maintenance on SmokingPipes. The article is, of course like most articles on SmokingPipes, an advertisement for something they sell.
smokingpipes.com | Pipe Tobacco - https://www.smokingpipes.com/smokingpipesblog/single.cfm/post/how-care-for-vulcanite-stems

smokingpipes.com | Pipe Tobacco - https://www.smokingpipes.com/smokingpipesblog/single.cfm/post/how-use-obsidian-oil

I am curious to know if there is any special care needed for acrylic stems. After finding an old Home Comfort cob pipe from the Fifties (Missouri Meerschaum, 39 cents) in a closet on an island off the coast of Maine, I discovered that the draw hole in some stems are ridiculously small. I’ve put this acrylic stem through a lot —hot water treatment, olive oil extraction, 91% isopropyl alcohol, and last but not least 151-proof grain alcohol. Some of these methods really screwed up the surfaces of the amber acrylic. The good news is that this experimentation has convinced me that high-proof grain alcohol such as Everclear is the best way to unclog tar-choked stems. The not so good news is that, if I choose to not retire this old Home Comfort, I’ll be seeking out a pipe restorer to make a better amber acrylic stem for this cob. The stems I’ve mail ordered so far have too big of a tenon.
View attachment 128108

Alcohol is not advised for use with acrylics as it causes micro fractures in the material that will lead to structural failure over time. Invest in a shank brush to use with a mild detergent. It may take a few rounds, but eventually you'll remove the deposits.

 

[Chocolatebars]

I have a ks savinelli in the mail but I bought it for smoking outside. Now I find out the sun might be a problem. So much for 1 hour smokes in the sun!

 

[jpmcwjr]

I'd smoke it outside and see how it goes. Wiping the stem down after wards may do the trick.

 

[Chocolatebars]

I'd smoke it outside and see how it goes. Wiping the stem down after wards may do the trick.

If I like the pipe I think it will be worth it. I was reading that olive oil has SPF protection while mineral does not. Hot water will be good too. Thanks.

 

[k o h l e w]

Yes! I acquired all the styles of Neerup brushes and am happy to have ‘em to put to work. Unfortunately, even the most slender of the brushes won’t enter this particular amber acrylic stem from the Fifties. Good I’ve got plenty other pipes to celebrate the day with.

Alcohol is not advised for use with acrylics as it causes micro fractures in the material that will lead to structural failure over time. Invest in a shank brush to use with a mild detergent. It may take a few rounds, but eventually you'll remove the deposits.

Okay, I’ll put the Method soap to work.

 

[Chasing Embers]

even the most slender of the brushes won’t enter this particular amber acrylic stem from the Fifties.

Try a bristle pipe cleaner with whitening toothpaste after soaking the stem overnight in lemon juice.

 

[alan73]

When I played around restoring pipes I used oxy clean water solution for badly oxidized stems on cheap pipes . You can see the oxidation coming off. This will remove part of them stem and oxidation . Soak it in oxy clean water solution for an hour , aforementioned bristle cleaner scrub for inside , shine up outside, all set

Rubbing it hard with Wet magic erasers work for mild -medium levels of outer problems works pretty good.

 

[Chocolatebars]

I guess what I'm really asking is does vulcanite oxidize similar to aluminum in that the 'rust' doesn't really become "cancer".

 

[Chasing Embers]

I guess what I'm really asking is does vulcanite oxidize similar to aluminum in that the rust doesn't really become "cancer".

The surface will roughen and everything you smoke through it will taste like sulphur.

 

[Chocolatebars]

The surface will roughen and everything you smoke through it will taste like sulphur.

Dang, well it sounds like I can keep the oxidation off for a couple years. That's good enough for me.

 

[FurCoat]

I'd smoke it outside and see how it goes. Wiping the stem down after wards may do the trick.

Yup. I smoke outside and wipe the stems with mineral oil afterwards.