My First Deep Cleaning (Pictures)

[smokeytay33]

Hey, all!
Here are some pictures of my first pipe cleaning. I removed the black gunk of the rim, sanded down the cake to my liking, currently cleaning the bowl with Vodka and cotton method, and de-oxidized and polished the stem. I want to thank all who have commented on my threads and have given me advice, as well as those who have posted their own threads with advice. I have learned a lot, and there is a long way to go, I'm sure!
Before:

After:

Smokey ::

 

[vigil]

Good job! Nice and clean without going overboard.

 

[pruss]

Smokey! Nice going so far. I can't wait to see the finished result.
Good work.
-- Pat

 

[tarak]

Nice work smokey.

 

[olewaylon]

looking good

 

[bryanf]

It's funny but tonight I decided to do what I consider a deep cleaning on my pipe, and it still looks 10 times dirtier than your "before" picture! I'm to embarrassed to post pics! Good job!

 

[ejames]

Coming along nicely!

 

[jah76]

Nice smokey!
Just a tip that works for me. I like to take a match and "flame" the inner bowl after I clean it. This gets rid of any fuzzies and a bit of the alcohol taste, then wipe it out with a rag. Don't be surprised if you can taste the alcohol for a smoke or two. Give it a day or two to dry after you smoke it also. That wood grain gets when wet IMO.
I like that big ole bowl.

 

[shayde]

Nice job

 

[petes03]

Good work!

 

[smokeytay33]

petes03, a HUGE thank you goes out to you! In my other thread, General Pipe Maintenance, you posted step by step directions on how to clean the bowl and stem. I had the post next to me as I cleaned. I'm very pleased with the results so far. I think the stem looks way better than it did before. You are awesome! :worship:

 

[timely]

Looking good smokey.!!!!!!

 

[kashmir]

A clean pipe is a happy pipe. I clean as I go, so I never need to do a major cleaning. Don't forget the Obsidian Oil to keep you stem nice and glossy.

 

[smokeytay33]

kashmir, I am trying to get all my pipes to the point of being able to stay clean as I go. I have never owned a new pipe so they all need a deep cleaning. I'll try the obsidian oil! is it expensive? can I leave it on the stem?
Thanks to everyone for the kind comments. This is my first "deep" cleaning, meaning I used more than a pipe cleaner. More input is appreciated. I used whatever I had in the house and suggestions from other smokers on how to clean.

 

[kashmir]

Obsidian Oil is around $8 a bottle, I believe. You use it to keep your vulcanite stems from oxidizing. Seems to work well. Olive oil can also be used, but this can turn rancid. I also buy almost exclusively estates. And when they come in they get the royal cleaning. It's the shank and mortise area I find that need the most work. I use rubbing alcohol or isopropanol 91% from the drugstote plenty of Q-tips, pipe cleaners, and paper towels. I will ream down the chamber to bare wood, and do salt / alcohol sits for 7 days as well as alcohol retorts till the fluid comes out clear. Which takes three or four exchanges. Be careful alcohol is flammable and explosive under pressure. I will also rub down the exterior with alcohol dampened paper towels and retreat the wood with carnuba wax, buffing by hand till glossy. As for the vulcanite stem, I will use Brebbia stem polish and or micro-mesh pads till its black and glossy. Then treat with Obsidian Oil after each use to retard oxidation. Hope this helps.

 

[lifeon2]

Looking good smokey be sure and see if there is a harbor freight in your area, you can pick up wet dry sand paper up to 2000 grit there for about 6 bucks a pack and the finer you sand the more the stem will shine.

 

[fnord]

Wonderful effort, Smokey!
Truth be told most of us probably started the same way as you did: print off the instructions and work through them step by step.
The game changer for me was buying a set of micro mesh pads. Those little beauties easily cut my cleaning time in half.
Fnord