Putting chapstick on a pipe stem

[matchstickman]

I recently bought one of Mattias refurbished estate pipes and I have to say that it is one awesome smoker! I love it! I want to keep the stem looking nice and sharp and black. Now I have heard that you can take some chapstick, rub it on the stem, leave it for 5-10 minutes, then wipe it off, and the stem will stay nice and shiny. Anyone have any experience with this? Does it really work? I figure it couldnt hurt. I mean, you put chapstick on your lips anyway, right?

 

[spyder71]

I have chronic dry lips and use Chapstik EVERY day ALL the time and my pipes still oxidize where you would expect them to. I did find however that Chapstik worked really well on a tight bit. I bought an estate pipe and had to chill it in the freezer to get it out. I then coated the stem in my chapstik and now it comes out nice and easy but still has a great seal! I know it's not what you asked about but thought I would throw it out there anyhow

 

[markw4mms]

Never heard of using Chapstick on a pipe bit,not sure if it would shine it up, but I doubt it would hurt it either.

 

[fullbent]

Try This ,I used olive oil for some time,but it does nothing but shine.Obsidian keeps the oxidation on the down low!

 

[thesmokindragon]

agree w/fullbent..I have used EVOO for my vulcanite stems...I did read somewhere about it keeping the oxidation down...So if you put a little EVOO on a cloth or something, apply to stems/leave for 5-10 minutes then use clean cloth to wipe it.... should help with shine and in keeping oxidation down

 

[bubbadreier]

Fullbent hit the nail on the head! Nothing beats Obsidian Pipe Stem Oil for keeping stems clean and shiny!

 

[cortezattic]

Some (maybe all) brands of vitamin E come in gel caps that look like little amber jelly beans.

They contain an anti-oxidant oil called alpha-tocopherol, also known as vitamin E.
If I had to use something oily to prevent stems from oxidizing that's what I'd use; and I wouldn't

be surprised to learn that Obsidian was the same thing.

 

[aussielass]

One of the main ingredients in chapsticks is Carnauba Wax.

 

[spartan]

Chapstick huh? The next thing I know you folks will tell me to start using my oily forehead to shine up my stems! :crazy:
I like the idea of using Vitamen E capsules... Walgreens here I come!

 

[iowamike]

It can't hurt its just wax.

 

[matchstickman]

Hey! I remember this thread! :mrgreen: I think this is the second one of my threads that has gotten resurrected from the dead. I never did actually try to do this, but I might have to give it a shot now. Thanks for the advice guys!

 

[cmdrmcbragg]

I use chapstick and it works ok. Using it on the wood itself brings back the grain and darkens it back to its original tone ... but it doesn't last terribly long. I have a Dr. Grabow I hit up with chapstick and it makes it look like new, until after a few smokes and the spots where it has faded the most start showing. It is a quick fix at best.

 

[tbradsim1]

The cheap unflavored contains , hope I spell it right, saycillic acid and works good on stems, butter it after you smoke, you can leave it on a couple of hrs or until you smoke again, works very good,