Lacquer may not be my best bet

[Harsh_Smoke]

Reconsidering my choice of lacquer as the final coating on my Bones. Can someone suggest a hard, durable wax to use that I won't have to reapply every 2 weeks? Thanks to all.

 

[ssjones]

Carnuba wax is really your only choice, best applied by machine

 

[xrundog]

Carnuba wax is really your only choice, best applied by machine

Good excuse to get a buffer or drill press if you don’t have one.

 

[Waning Embers]

Wax on a blast isn't a great idea. The carnauba can build up in the crevices and you need a heat gun to clean them out.

 

[ssjones]

Wax on a blast isn't a great idea. The carnauba can build up in the crevices and you need a heat gun to clean them out.

Good point, I assumed a smooth pipe.
You can apply carnuba wax to a blast, but have to melt it in with a hair dryer, etc. Then buff lightly with a clean buff pad (preferably loose).

 

[xrundog]

Wax on a blast isn't a great idea. The carnauba can build up in the crevices and you need a heat gun to clean them out.

Depends how you apply it I guess. I have a block of really hard carnauba that I apply with a buffing wheel and then dry buff it. In fact I bought a pound 15 years ago and have been using a corner I broke off for all that time. Maybe there’s variations in the hardness of wax one can buy. I’ve bought some gunky blasted pipes. Never experienced that doing it myself.
Also the Bones pipes I’ve seen are pretty lightly blasted. Waxing shouldn’t be a problem.

 

[craig61a]

On blasts I use Halcyon II wax. Brush it on and work into crevices with a brush. Let it dry somewhat and brush it with horse hair shoe brush. Any thick accumulation will melt and reflow when smoked.

A quick buff with a shoe brush will bring the shine back.

 

[ssjones]

On blasts I use Halcyon II wax. Brush it on and work into crevices with a brush. Let it dry somewhat and brush it with horse hair shoe brush. Any thick accumulation will melt and reflow when smoked.

A quick buff with a shoe brush will bring the shine back.

I don't believe that is currently available. Some folks use Renaissance wax.

 

[Briarcutter]

On blasts I use Halcyon II wax. Brush it on and work into crevices with a brush. Let it dry somewhat and brush it with horse hair shoe brush. Any thick accumulation will melt and reflow when smoked.

A quick buff with a shoe brush will bring the shine back.

Be sure to use a new brush on a natural!

 

[craig61a]

I don't believe that is currently available. Some folks use Renaissance wax.

I bought a big ass jar of it a few years back…

 

[ssjones]

I bought a big ass jar of it a few years back…

Same here

 

[Briarcutter]

On blasts I use Halcyon II wax. Brush it on and work into crevices with a brush. Let it dry somewhat and brush it with horse hair shoe brush. Any thick accumulation will melt and reflow when smoked.

A quick buff with a shoe brush will bring the shine back.

I bought a container years ago. Still sitting around somewhere, never used it.

 

[ssjones]

I bought a container years ago. Still sitting around somewhere, never used it.

Same here, well, rarely use it

 

[Briarcutter]

I have some very pure traditional Turpentine I mix with bees wax. I use it a lot around the shop, great stuff but never had the courage to use it on a rusticated or blasted pipe. I really enjoy the aroma but not sure how it would linger on a pipe. I should just take the plunge and try it. I've used it on a smooth top pipe with no adverse lingering odor. The mixture is great and you can make the paste as thick as you like.

 

[mortonbriar]

I have carnauba and buffing wheel, but I also like leaving a natural pipe to get darker where my thumb is etc...