Pipe Stain Advice

[Ryan]

Hello, I have this Rembrandt pipe (Wally Frank Ltd stamped on bottom) that I bought a while back. I had decided to try and really clean it up and make it look nice.

Unfortunately while doing that, I inadvertently removed the stain. It isn’t a big deal, except that now the grain doesn’t look as nice. It doesn’t look as much like a “Straight Grained” pipe anymore.

I think to bring that look back I will need to stain it again. From what I have read, the Fiebings stains seem to be appropriate. My question is, what color do I use? I know it will be a light stain, but I’m just not sure which one to choose. I posted a few before and after photos to show what I did and what I want to get it back to.

Before:



Now:



Not sure how much you can tell in these photos, but it looks like I lost some of the grain with the work I did. Also, it is a shade lighter now. I didn’t even realize it had a stain until I got done and saw that I had removed it.

 

[ssjones]

I would use a Fieblings Medium Brown but heavily diluted. (cut it with high % isopropyl alcohol)
I do what I call a "wash" of stain. Dip a paper towel into the stain, just a little is all you need. Warm the briar with a heat gun or hair dryer, wipe the stain on. (heat helps set the grain). Let it dry thoroughly, then buff back to a shine. That is usually enough to bring back the faded grain.