Mold In My Estate Pipe

[d4k23]

So in the spirit of another mold thread, I went to look at an estate pipe that I have been trying to restore. I have used alcohol treatments (yes, even in the bowl) but did a few coffee grinds in the bowl to clear the ghost smell. Well I haven't looked at it for about a week, then was greeted with this...

Anybody ever see this before? Should I do another alcohol treatment to clean it out, or something else going on here?

 

[mikethompson]

My guess is it had something to do with the coffee grounds being a little too moist. I don't think it is anything to worry about.

 

[aldecaker]

I'd burn it.

 

[timt]

Yum

 

[aldecaker]

One time, I bought an estate pipe that kept sprouting mold. I had it tested. Turns out, the old geezer who owned it died in his Barcalounger, and all his decomposed brain juice ran down the stem and collected in the heel of the bowl, causing the chronic mold infestation. True story. Now, I'm not saying that's what happened here, I'm just sayin'.

 

[timt]

Now, I've heard of ghosted but that's getting a little extreme.

 

[aldecaker]

Can't argue with science.

 

[d4k23]

Yikes, that's pretty gross. I'll run some alcohol through it again and let it sit to see what happens.
Another question because the inside chamber walls are pretty clear in this picture, whats the best way to make that chamber smooth? I have reamed, soaked, scrubbed...is this where pipe mud comes into play?

 

[aldecaker]

A gentle sanding may help. George D., known far and wide for his pipe magic, may weigh in with a professional opinion.

 

[cortezattic]

I would try chlorine bleach on a Q-tip to clean the mold. Maybe even try to burn it with a torch lighter. Or, just sell it on e-Bay. :D

 

[jpmcwjr]

After alcohol and or bleach, hot water flush and dry.
But: How was the pipe stored after cleaning out the coffee grounds?

 

[warren]

It's the beauty of estates I guess, one really doesn't know where it's been or what's been inserted or dribbled into the bowl. Certainly some things should remain unknown. Not every back story is a happy one.

 

[rmpeeps]

I’d give it about 3-4 days in the sunshine, another Everclear/salt treatment, and see what happens after a week of rest. One more reoccurrence and I’d toss it for sure. That pipe would have to have a hell of a pedigree to keep.

 

[dmcmtk]

White vinegar and salt.

 

[smittyd]

Smoke it, you might get some sort of mushroom effect!

 

[jazz]

One time, I bought an estate pipe that kept sprouting mold. I had it tested. Turns out, the old geezer who owned it died in his Barcalounger, and all his decomposed brain juice ran down the stem and collected in the heel of the bowl, causing the chronic mold infestation. True story. Now, I'm not saying that's what happened here, I'm just sayin'.

8O

 

[d4k23]

But: How was the pipe stored after cleaning out the coffee grounds?

All of my pipes are stored laying down on a shelf in my dining room. I live in TX, but AC runs between 76-78 all day.
I'll clean it tonight and give it some sun time, God knows it'll be hot enough the next couple days.

 

[mikethompson]

If the grounds were hot and wet enough, that may account for the mold.
This reminds me of when Jay had mold all over his pipe he left in his car.

 

[tschiraldi]

After treating, always store your pipes bowl down. This allows any moisture to drain into the bowl and evaporate. Laying them down, inside a drawer, is almost certainly causing moisture to stay trapped inside the pipe, thus, mold.

 

[eggrollpiper]

First off aldecaker now I've really bought my last estate, Jesus Christmas, as my wife says.

So, alchohol doesn't kill mold, in some cases it feeds it. Bleach I would definitely not use on a stummel, stem yes stummel no way. I concur with the sunlight exposure, uv light kills mold, so a uv lamp would work as well for surface mold. But it sounds like it may have penetrated the briar if you removed it and it came back so the only fool proof way is to sterilize it properly, like with ozone. Some pipe makers offer that as part of their restoration services, unless you have an ozone generator. Some people have them for their cpap machines and it would be a good investment for those who can afford it. That's my two sense. Of course you could also buy a 5 dollar cob w no mold and call it a day..