OxiClean For Cleaning Oxidized Vulcanite Stems

[alaskanpiper]

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.

 

[RonB]

Same one I have I think, but does yours have a scent?

I smelled it in the container and I can barely detect a sent. It may be stronger when dissolved in water. Anyway, I recently used it to clean a dozen vulcanite stems and had no issues with a residual odor.

 

[BROBS]

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.

This. Fuck oxiclean or any other BS

 

[lightmybriar]

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.

This is what I’ve always had the absolute best success with and therefore I do it this way every time. It gets my two sore thumbs up approval rating.

 

[craig61a]

Put in the work...

Part 1
Part 2

 

[mingc]

The powder, in a mild solution works well. The liquid, useless. I never had any pitting issues.

Al, what grade sandpaper or micro-mesh do you start with after the oxy-clean?

 

[peteguy]

Has anyone gave this a try?

Briarville Stem Oxidation Remover

Get your Briarville Stem Oxidation Remover from the #1 in customer service and fast affordable shipping (and a small business) TobaccoPipes.com!

www.tobaccopipes.com

 

[ChuckMijo]

If it’s badly oxidized I’ll start at 250 or 500 grit. Work my way up to 12,000. Then buff. It takes a good bit of time but it’s the only way.

 

[ssjones]

Al, what grade sandpaper or micro-mesh do you start with after the oxy-clean?

I try to use the least abrasive grade possible - typically 800, sometimes 600 and very occasionally, 400 (super rare). Near the stem/button, I always go up a grade to avoid forever changing contours.

 

[mingc]

I try to use the least abrasive grade possible - typically 800, sometimes 600 and very occasionally, 400 (super rare). Near the stem/button, I always go up a grade to avoid forever changing contours.

Thanks. I hear you about the stem/button, though it's hard because that's where the crud is worst.

Another difficult area is the sharp edge when the stem meets the shank. I've wondered if oxi-clean will tend to round it.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

If it's just your own pipe that you want to freshen up then don't waste your time with Oxyclean; just wet sand it and then micro mesh with finer grades until it's a mirror.

Estates are another story. I'm a germophobe, so on any estate I want to murder any trace of funky, nasty, petrified, old guy, left-over, mucous drool. So I will soak that stem in either Oxyclean or chlorine bleach for a couple hours. Then wet sand 600 & 1200, then a buffing wheel with a brown compound I have, then white diamond, then caranuba wax. Inside the stem, after the soak, I clean with soft scrub & a pipe cleaner. I'm sure it's overkill, but it makes me feel better.

 

[orlandofurioso]

Really frustrated here... bought some Oxiclean to clean the oxidation off my vulcanite stems like the Bare Pipe youtube channel guy shows, but the Oxiclean is scented... There are so many vaguely described Oxiclean products that I don't know which one is the "original", and which ones are unscented. For those of you who have used Oxiclean, which one did you use? Was it scented? If it WAS scented, was it ok to use to clean these stems? I DO NOT want to ghost my pipe stems with f*&@#%g synthetic fragrance.

Any guidance would be appreciated.

The one we use for our white bed linen, white t shirts etc. is odourless.
Meanwhile I skip the Oxiclean and start ( wet ) sanding with 1000 grit nail buffers.
Works as a charm, I buy the stuff on Ebay for a song.
For instance :

UR Zucker Nagelfeile 100/180 180/240 1000/4000 Schleifen-Polieren 1/4/7/12mm | eBay

Entdecken Sie UR Zucker Nagelfeile 100/180 180/240 1000/4000 Schleifen-Polieren 1/4/7/12mm in der großen Auswahl bei eBay. Kostenlose Lieferung für viele Artikel!

www.ebay.de

 

[mikethompson]

Any scent you get from the oxy clean should come off with the light sanding you will do and the polishing afterwards.

I've always used powdered oxy clean with great results.

 

[orlandofurioso]

The Briarville stem oxidation remover is supposed to do a good job; anyone ?

 

[perdurabo]

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.

 

[BROBS]

If it's just your own pipe that you want to freshen up then don't waste your time with Oxyclean; just wet sand it and then micro mesh with finer grades until it's a mirror.

Estates are another story. I'm a germophobe, so on any estate I want to murder any trace of funky, nasty, petrified, old guy, left-over, mucous drool. So I will soak that stem in either Oxyclean or chlorine bleach for a couple hours. Then wet sand 600 & 1200, then a buffing wheel with a brown compound I have, then white diamond, then caranuba wax. Inside the stem, after the soak, I clean with soft scrub & a pipe cleaner. I'm sure it's overkill, but it makes me feel better.

You’re more likely to absorb all those chemicals than old guy spit

 

[Ethan]

I have used the standard oxy clean with decent success. One thing I don't see mentioned here, or anywhere else. Oxyclean, water combined goes into the ultrasonic cleaner for a couple cycles, not just a soak. Then I still use various methods for polishing.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

You’re more likely to absorb all those chemicals than old guy spit

I'm the first to admit that my germophobia is off the rails.

 

[sablebrush52]

This. Fuck oxiclean or any other BS

Kinky!

When it comes to getting rid of actual oxidation, not mouth sludge, the affected material has to be physically removed. It comes down to a sanding process followed by a polishing process.

One of the reasons why I won't pay much for a vintage pipe with an oranged stem is that the amount of material needing removal isn't trivial and it throws off the alignment of contour between the shank and the stem. I may end up having a new stem made and I'm not paying twice for a stem.

 

[Sloopjohnbee]

Really frustrated here... bought some Oxiclean to clean the oxidation off my vulcanite stems like the Bare Pipe youtube channel guy shows, but the Oxiclean is scented... There are so many vaguely described Oxiclean products that I don't know which one is the "original", and which ones are unscented. For those of you who have used Oxiclean, which one did you use? Was it scented? If it WAS scented, was it ok to use to clean these stems? I DO NOT want to ghost my pipe stems with f*&@#%g synthetic fragrance.

Any guidance would be appreciated.

Relax, it won't ghost the stem- I use it