I know room darkening happens, I'm trying to minimize it. I work with grain alcohol on my smooth rimmed pipes, but I haven't found anything to get the black off my old antiqurai or shilling, any suggestions?
Perhaps gently using a toothbrush with some water? That’s what I would try if they were my pipes. Alcohol removes many stains and finishes, so I wouldn’t use that.
Spit or cold coffee and cotton swabs. A certain amount of darkening is inevitable, but you can ameliorate some of the issue by wetting the rim with some spit before applying fire.
My twisted sense of humor makes it impossible to resist....
I've found the best solution is right there in the first sentence of the OP. Room darkening. Turn off the lights and magically, all blemishes and imperfections disappear
BTW, its also good advice for "other' situations :wink:
When restoring I will occasionally use Magic Eraser on darkened rims and bowls. It is a technique I saw on a restorer’s site. I would give them credit if I could remember who it was