OxiClean For Cleaning Oxidized Vulcanite Stems

[orlandofurioso]

I like the oxidation. I guess because green is my favorite color. Actually, I too scared to mess with the stem, I’ll fuck it up. So I’ve talked my self into the notion that I like oxidation.

I like the taste of the greenish stuff so much I'm now cultivating the oxidation by storing my pipes in bright sunlight.

 

[orlandofurioso]

 

[crustybowl]

For my own pipes, 600grit sand, micomesh then buffing wheel. For estate acquisitions, kosher salt with alcohol in the bowl, and oxiclean bath for the stem; both overnight, then magic eraser on stem (insert repairs here if required) followed by 400grit on both. Then continue with same procedure as my own pipes.

 

[Effortlessdepths]

When oxidation is advanced enough to discolor the stem, I have yet to find a substitute for simply sanding. I start with heavier grit to get the bulk of it, then go to lighter grit as I get closer to being done. It takes a while, it stinks, but it works.

Then polish and it's good to go.

I have come to realize that since this is a new, but cheapo H.I.S. pipe that I bought at a "head shop" the oxidation is not from teeth, spit and use, but from being under a florescent light. So the oxiclean did nothing but make it look worse, and in this case I do believe that sanding and polishing is the only option. I have micromesh pads from 1500-12000, so just work my way up the numbers? And do I use them wet or dry? Any other steps I'm missing?

 

[alaskanpiper]

I have come to realize that since this is a new, but cheapo H.I.S. pipe that I bought at a "head shop" the oxidation is not from teeth, spit and use, but from being under a florescent light. So the oxiclean did nothing but make it look worse, and in this case I do believe that sanding and polishing is the only option. I have micromesh pads from 1500-12000, so just work my way up the numbers? And do I use them wet or dry? Any other steps I'm missing?

Yeah, the oxidation is just from time. You could even start with more grit if you wanted to. I usually start at 400 and work up to 1000 to move things along a little quicker. After that a magic eraser is enough to get it smooth. I get the best results using just a little bit of water or saliva. It will take a while, and seem never ending, but keep plugging away and it will work.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

I have come to realize that since this is a new, but cheapo H.I.S. pipe that I bought at a "head shop" the oxidation is not from teeth, spit and use, but from being under a florescent light. So the oxiclean did nothing but make it look worse, and in this case I do believe that sanding and polishing is the only option. I have micromesh pads from 1500-12000, so just work my way up the numbers? And do I use them wet or dry? Any other steps I'm missing?

Oxyclean will always make the oxidation look worse initially. It's an oxygen bleach, as opposed to a chlorine bleach, so it works by oxidizing. You'll always have to sand/polish if you use it.

 

[jewman22]

I let estate pipe stems sit overnight in oxiclean, the following day I scrub them down with a magic eraser before going on to micro mesh pads. And of course finish with a nice white diamond buff.