Oxyclean Soak

[instymp]

I soaked 2 stems for 8 hours & could not believe the crap that comes out a stem, would make the faint of heart puke. You can watch the stems bubbling and dark scummy foam form.

 

[ghost]

Yep, it always amazes me when I see it. Sometimes within the first few minutes you'll see the water start to change colour.

 

[baronsamedi]

I just did that, too. Made me look at my other pipes all funny, wondering what kind of invisible funk is on there.

 

[taerin]

Good thing I am not the kind to worry about such things!

 

[madmurdoc]

Has anyone tried using Iron Out in the place of Oxy-Clean?? I'm curious as to if it would work, and how well. Dad's idea.

 

[nsfisher]

I tried soaking stems once, didn't like the results. Guess I'm just a sucker for punishment

 

[instymp]

Now to sand/polish them.

 

[wildcat]

Does the oxyclean leave the stems rough like after a bleach soaking?
Also, has anyone tried Barkeepers Friend on stems? Saw a tip on youtube and am trying it now.

 

[wildcat]

Answered my own question: Barkeepers/pipesmagazine

 

[madmurdoc]

Just Oxyclean soaked my first stem earlier. The difference is amazing!

 

[wildcat]

madmurdoc, did it come out of the bath rough like a bleach soak or retain it's smoothness?

 

[mluyckx]

Wildcat

It will come out a little rough. Less than with a bleach soak, but it won't be perfect. You'll have to clean it, scrub it, buff it after it comes out of the oxy clean. It also depends on how old the stem is. Really old stems will come out a little pitted.
Here's a good example of how one looked after Oxyclean soak, rinse and dry.

Here's how it looks after buffing

 

[zonomo]

At what point should one Oxy their stem? Are we talking months or years? (I realize it depends on how much its being used) but what is the rule of thumb?

 

[mluyckx]

Zonomo: I only do the Oxyclean once: when I get the estate pipe in. Once its cleaned and refurbished, I never do it again to my pipes.
I do clean the inside of the stem with some everclear and a scrub pipe cleaner or brush on occasion. I'd say about every 3 months or so for the pipes I smoke regularly (eg more than once a week). But I have a large rotation. If you smoke your pipe daily, you may want to give it a good thorough cleaning with a scrub and some everclear once a month or so. There's some good articles out there about pipe cleaning and maintenance.

 

[wildcat]

Thx Mick! I gave up on the bleach routine... didn't like how rough some stems came out. Right now I'm using Barkeepers Friend and lots of elbow grease. I'm very happy with the results. I will give the OXY a try, if I don't like it, there's no waste. Into the laundry it goes!

 

[wildcat]

Picked some OxiClean up this afternoon... soaking a few stems now!

 

[madmurdoc]

I picked up some oxi not too long ago, well when I went to put it with my other cleaning supplies, not only did I find Oxi already there, but I also have some Bar Keepers Friend. FML. I won't run out anytime soon though.

 

[mluyckx]

Remember to cover up any painted logo on the stem with some Petroleum jelly or similar ;-)