Playing Around With stems ... Again

[madox07]

I am giving it another try on restoring shine to my stems (god I heard on the radio show that a shine and ream costs around $25 in the States, it's getting so frustrating right now that I would be willing to make an effort and pay for my best pipes if that were an option).
What's different this time? Firstly I managed to get my hands on oxyclean like people in the US use - previously I used sodium bicarbonate. Also I bought an adaptor for my electric screw driver, so it can fit a round felt and cotton wheel, so I can polish.
Method: I bathed the stems in oxyclean for a couple of hours. Some recommend over night but I was inpatient. Then I cleaned the stems with water, and removed the white stuff on one of the stems (the other did not present this issue) with the abrasive part of a dish sponge. I worked my way with micro mesh starting from 1500 grit up to 12000 grit - 2-3 minutes on each pad. After that I have applied with a rag this german "briar polish" that says "removes soiling and gives shine". (here I am not sure that this is meant for stems as well, or just for the bowl). Finally I have polished using the electric screwdriver for about 10-15 minutes.
The result is fine, better that what I have managed in the past with my previous method and available tools, but it still doesn't look like "on TV". I am missing that high thick lair of shine.
Some people suggested in the past that carnauba wax is the way to go with stems. I have found out that some niche local hardware store has carnauba wax sticks in my town, but I would imagine that in order to load the felt and cotton disks I need a higher power tool than your house handy screwdriver. Higher power means heat ... so I am afraid I may burn my stems.
Any advice is appreciated !

 

[Chasing Embers]

I am missing that high thick lair of shine.

All I used on this stem was Magic Erasers, Barkeeper's Friend, and toothpaste. No buffer was applied.

 

[verporchting]

+1 on the Magic Eraser.

 

[warren]

Embers' technique is what I us when cleaning a seriously oxidized bit. And, such can be done while reading, watching the Dumont or talking with the dog.
Hard to beat toothpaste when a fine grit is required.

 

[bnichols23]

Dumont

Showoff }

 

[madox07]

I am not sure what Magic Erasers are, but I am pretty sure I can't get them around here.

 

[shanez]

 

[verporchting]

Magic Eraser is a household cleaning sponge marketed under the name of Mr. Clean. There may be other variations of the same product where you live, I'm not sure.

 

[verporchting]

Doh! Shanez beat me to it, but a picture is worth a 1000 words anyway.

 

[briarbuck]

For our EU friends..

 

[madox07]

Embers Ok, I just tried the tooth paste on the felt and wipe with cotton rag. It does give a shine, but I am assuming that the gloss comes from "beekeeper's friend" which I asume is bee's wax? How do you apply that?

 

[jpmcwjr]

Try rubbing it down with literally a drop of mineral oil. Not as "buff" as carnauba or other waxes, but is nice. A good matte black is the usual result.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Embers Ok, I just tried the tooth paste on the felt and wipe with cotton rag. It does give a shine, but I am assuming that the gloss comes from "beekeeper's friend" which I asume is bee's wax? How do you apply that?

Barkeeper's Friend is a fine abrasive. Only use your thumb to buff the toothpaste, and buff it until it's gone. Leaves a higher shine than applying mineral oil.

 

[dmcmtk]

In addition to the other suggestions, wet sand up to 2000 paper, and buff rubbing the stem against a micro fiber cloth, you'll get a good shine, no power tools needed.