Paint/Dye for a Meerschaum?

[HopHand]

My 14yo daughter would like to paint a Meerschaum Santa pipe. Rosy cheeks red hat etc. Being as she's artistically blessed but can very rarely be motivated to under take art projects of any form. I would like to encourage her. Pipes on the way just need suggestions for dyes or paints that could be used on a Meerschaum. Also looking for any suggestions or steps that might be easily over looked even working with the Meerschaum. This is very likely a not so subtle Christmas gift for dad so it would be nice if the paint/ Dye used would be safe to smoke as I'm sure it'll be expected by daughter. Thank you for any suggestions in advance.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Enamel nail polish.

 

[warren]

^^This.

 

[HopHand]

Interesting. Wouldn't have guessed. Thank you.

 

[mikethompson]

Does she want to paint a figural meer or just paint a picture of Santa on the bowl?

If the latter, why not use a couple of clay pipes?

 

[HopHand]

Does she want to paint a figural meer or just paint a picture of Santa on the bowl?

If the latter, why not use a couple of clay pipes?

Wants to color a carved Santa.

 

[Curtas Loew]

Enamel as well for an entire figural?

 

[FLDRD]

Speaking out of the southern end of my personal environment here, but shouldn't some of it be left unpainted so it can still breathe?

 

[warren]

but shouldn't some of it be left unpainted so it can still breathe?

Breathe? It absorbs the tobacco lees through its porosity. inside to out. The outer side is, in my experience treated with a wax mixture to protect the mineral from dirty hands and such. Being a mineral, how would it "breathe?"

 

[FLDRD]

Breathe? It absorbs the tobacco lees through its porosity. inside to out. The outer side is, in my experience treated with a wax mixture to protect the mineral from dirty hands and such. Being a mineral, how would it "breathe?"

Porosity = "breathing". Inside to out, exactly as you stated. If it didn't, how would it color?

 

[condorlover1]

Here we go again. Does anyone have the picture of the meerschaum pipe that was cut in half? As usual our dear friend @warren has a point. On that note I am going to sneak off and imbibe a bowl of Condor Plug. Later guys!

 

[warren]

First I've ever heard of breathing (respiration) being the same as porosity or, veins allowing seepage of tobacco residues. Interesting! My education never ends.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Speaking out of the southern end of my personal environment here, but shouldn't some of it be left unpainted so it can still breathe?

Technically speaking, pipes regardless of material don't actually breathe. Even the long thought absorbent nature of briar turned out to be a myth as its density that makes it hard to burn limits its ability to absorb moisture. For meerschaum, it just soaks up any moisture like a sponge.

 

[FLDRD]

So I'll acknowledge that "breathing" isn't / wasn't the best word to choose. And I'll say I'm not trying to create any problems amongst friends here. That being said, porous is permeable, passable. As the picture demonstrates, that allows the moisture and what it's carrying to move through, toward, and to the outside of the pipe. If the pipe is covered with an impermeable "membrane" on the outside then its porosity will be limited. Perhaps the effect will be negligible, but technically it's there.
I'm also willing to be a pleasant student and learn better terminology and perspectives of understanding, but that's how I see things at the moment. It seems the picture provided (thank you) demonstrates that clearly. Cheers