Oxidation coming back?

[exibar]

I have one stem that I thought I buffed and scrubbed enough, but the oxidation appears to be coming back...
I use 3M rubbing compound, then 3M polishing compound, then a good carnuba wax to bring up the shine...
Should I be beginning with perhaps a 600/1000/1500/2000 grit sandpaper routine, then go into the compounds? instead of just using the rubbing/polishing/wax routine?
any thoughts as to what works best for y'all?
thanks!

Mike B

 

[theediabeticman]

I am NOT a professional - please don't use 600 grit...on my pipes I use a solution and 2400 grit and lowest I go is 1500

but let's wait to see what we can learn from a professional

 

[xrundog]

You probably didn't get it all the first time. I use Soft Scrub with Magic Erasers and water to take off the oxidation. No material loss and no scratching. It makes buffing to a shine go much, much faster. Depending on the material and severity of oxidation it may take some work. When it looks black, check your work in sunlight. It will show what you missed.

 

[exibar]

hehe, sorry I just threw some grits out there 600 probably would be too course for the stems
So the rubbing compound / polishing compound / carnuba wax method should get all the oxidation off? I use a dremel with a set of buffing / polishing pads on it... I'm used to using the dremel for other polishing items and have used it for decades, so I'm quite comfortable using it.

Just kinda new to restoring / deep cleaning pipes... could have sworn I got it all, I use a couple different lights for my bench, one is a natural light florescent... I guess the oxidation is "deeper" than I originally thought...

I get these stems pretty shiny and looking new when I'm done.... I'll have to re-do this stem and see what comes out of it... as long as you fine folks feel my method is sound with the rubbing/polishing/wax... I'll continue on
a happy day is a day where I learn something
thanks all!

Mike B

 

[mikestanley]

Another consideration may be the sulpher content of a pipe stem might be higher, or lower than another. Oxidization is always going to occur on vulcanite stems. Oxidize. If you're vulcanite, its what you do.
Mike S.

 

[dude]

Obsidian Pipe Stem Oil helps prevent oxidation/re-oxidation.

 

[exibar]

it re-occured pretty quickly.... 3 bowls and it came back LOL
is my method I mentioned above correct? maybe I just need more elbow grease in the mix...

 

[pruss]

I do a soak in oxyclean and water, then hit the stem with either 0000 steel wool or a magic eraser, and then work up from 1000 grit micromesh to 25000. Last step is a wheel with carnauba.
Oxidation will return.
Keep your pipe in a light tight environment to avoid oxidation from sunlight.
-- Pat

 

[drwatson]

Switch it out with Lucite...You'll be happier.

 

[stvalentine]

There are stems that have such a high content of sulphur that it always comes back. I had such a stem and I couldn´t get it back to it´s "black" condition no matter what I tried. :roll:

 

[perdurabo]

Can Olive Oil help prevent oxidation?

 

[huntertrw]

"Let me at that oxidation!"

 

[scrooge]

I use a tiny bit of chapstick on all of my stems an really don't have a problem. Learned that trick many years ago from some old hard core smokers. It really does work. But you have to start with a clean stem.

 

[dottiewarden]

I love the Chapstick solution. I'll have to give it a try.

 

[captainprophesy]

I use a bit of chapstick on the stem after every smoke... Helps keep oxidation at bay very well.

 

[okiescout]

+1 Drwatson.
I can hear guys warming up on this one already:O) I use softy bits on all mine for my teeth anyway, so for me it is not an issue to go to acrylic stems.

 

[jaygreen55]

You should try Dave Walker's Stem restore kit. It works wonders on all but the deepest oxidation without having to use sandpaper.
http://www.walkerbriarworks.com/html/stem_restore_kit.html

 

[samcoffeeman]

Going to acrylic stems...ugh! If you wver cleaned an estate acrylic stem your opinion might differ. Because the acrylic/lucite melts at a lower temperature, the material seems to soften up when smoked and the tars will really gum up in the stem. No acrylic for me thx. I'll stick to my vulcanite/cumberland or horn.

 

[drwatson]

Thanks Okie, I also use the softy bite tips (but cut off the thick end). As they wear our I have been converting over to clear tubing which also works great.
Sam, that's interesting! I have always thought the Lucite ones were a lot better to clean. Maybe I haven't got one that was that nasty yet. Most of the ones I have received are pretty clean to start off with.