Re-Staining An Estate Pipe

[Effortlessdepths]

I figured I would start a separate thread for this. Pictured below is an estate pipe I am trying to restore for a good friend of mine. I've looked on youtube and the internet and I just can't get straight answers, so i figured I would simply ask here and hope to get some pinpointed advice without wasting hours on youtube. As you can see the finish is faded. My goals with this piece are:
1: Find a product that will restore the briar more or less to how it looked before, something that brings out the natural color of the grain.
2: Put some shine on it. I want it to look really nice.
What tools and materials will I need for this?

 

[Chasing Embers]

something that brings out the natural color of the grain

Briar naturally doesn't have much color.


I'd go with Fiebling's leather dye.

Put some shine on it. I want it to look really nice.
What tools and materials will I need for this?

A variable speed buffer, 1450RPM for pipes, arbors, cotton buffing wheels, and carnauba wax.

 

[crustybowl]

There's a fellow up here in Canada who's done a few refurbs for me in the past. He has a blog where he regularly posts various refurbishing articles. I'm sure you will find lots of examples. Check it out at dadspipes.com

 

[OzPiper]

Look up Rebornpipes. Steve Laug has step-by-step instructions on how to clean, repair, re-stain pipes + lots more

 

[mikethompson]

Check out the two sites listed above. There is a wealth of information on there.

 

[sumusfumus]

I figured I would start a separate thread for this. Pictured below is an estate pipe I am trying to restore for a good friend of mine. I've looked on youtube and the internet and I just can't get straight answers, so i figured I would simply ask here and hope to get some pinpointed advice without wasting hours on youtube. As you can see the finish is faded. My goals with this piece are:
1: Find a product that will restore the briar more or less to how it looked before, something that brings out the natural color of the grain.
2: Put some shine on it. I want it to look really nice.
What tools and materials will I need for this?

What picture? I see no posted picture on my screen.......

 

[orlandofurioso]

Would really like to see the picture to give you better advice!

 

[Effortlessdepths]

Sorry I forgot the pictures

 

[Effortlessdepths]

What picture? I see no posted picture on my screen.......

Pictures are up. Sorry about that!

 

[Effortlessdepths]

Would really like to see the picture to give you better advice!

Pictures are up. Sorry about that!

 

[orlandofurioso]

Thank you, what is the monster on your couch

 

[alaskanpiper]

Fiebing's leather dye works well, I use a brown, sand it down and followed by a lighter tan for a contrast stain.

For the "shine" you will need some kind of coating. I use tripoli, followed by carnauba on a hand drill mounted buffing wheel ($11 including the tripoli at Home Depot). You may be able to get away with hand buffing with carnauba wax but it won't look like a factory shine.

 

[sumusfumus]

What picture? I see no posted picture on my screen.......

Thanks. I though I had a transient stroke, or something.

 

[alaskanpiper]

Sorry I forgot the pictures

That actually looks like it's in good enough shape that you could just rub it down with a micro-abrasive (like a magic eraser) and give it a new coat of wax.

 

[Toast]

Agreed. I'd give it a good manual buff with a microfiber cloth to see how it looks first before going all in.

 

[Cotton1]

I am interested in this thread as I have never restained a pipe but currently have a work in progress that needs just that. Thanks for posting OP, I will be learning along with you!

 

[OzPiper]

It looks quite clean.
I would use a toothbrush and soap to scrub off the surface grime. Then apply a very light coat of Halcyon or Paragon wax and buff with a microfiber cloth. Micromesh pads if you want it shinier.
Try that before re-staining

 

[orlandofurioso]

Your pipe looks to be in fine condition and quite clean.
So give it a gentle cleaning and a hand polish before you decide to give it a good going-over.
If so, I would most carefully clean it with some luke warm water and a microfibre cloth.
It will also clean the rim nicely from debris.
Be careful when using soap, it could compromise the staining !
Give it some mineral oil ( not vegetable, it will go rancid ) .
I prefer parrafin- or recorder oil . A few drops will do. Wipe of the access and polish it with a mf cloth.
If you feel like waxing , it depends on what is available.
Applying carnauba wax takes skill and a buffer, there are waxes that can be applied by hand.
I often use Renaissance ( conservators ) wax if I do not feel like the "plastic" shine of carnauba.
There is actually little reason to wax your pipe, unless your hands are dirty, sweaty etc.
Carnauba also seals the briar which is, I believe, it not always prefferable.
I like my briars to "breathe" and therefore prefer a more frequent oil treatment.
Micromesh pads are good !
Keep asking, we learn every day

 

[Effortlessdepths]

Thank you, what is the monster on your couch

That's our lovely little American Staffordshire terrier -- AKA pitbull -- named Bridget. She's the sweetest thing, until she spots an armadillo then she's definitely a beast! 12 years old and still kills em dead, no holes in this yard.

 

[Effortlessdepths]

Fiebing's leather dye works well, I use a brown, sand it down and followed by a lighter tan for a contrast stain.

For the "shine" you will need some kind of coating. I use tripoli, followed by carnauba on a hand drill mounted buffing wheel ($11 including the tripoli at Home Depot). You may be able to get away with hand buffing with carnauba wax but it won't look like a factory shine.

Thank you so much, your comment was exactly what I was looking for. I do so much research everyday as part of my job so sometimes I really just want someone to tell me what to do!