I recently bought a Savinelli Autograph and the "autograph" logo on the stem is almost invisible. Does anyone have suggestions for making it more visible or white?
Refreshing the logo on this Savinelli Autograph stem
- Thread starter Kirklands
- Start date
A paint stick won't adhere to an oxidized surface, and if you remove the oxidation layer "back to black" the impression will also disappear.
No repairman that I know of---North America or Europe---has that stamp, either.
No repairman that I know of---North America or Europe---has that stamp, either.
Thanks for taking a look. I like the idea of using a white 
on and I also read that it's worth trying white out. Regardless, the pipe is quite nice, and if I can't fix the logo I'll still get the stem polished up.
on and I also read that it's worth trying white out. Regardless, the pipe is quite nice, and if I can't fix the logo I'll still get the stem polished up.
It's Golden, not white. I repaired, not an Autograph but a pipe of the year that has the same logo, with gold nail polish.
Here we go again #3,186:
Oxidation---regardless of the material type, iron, rubber, etc.---is an atomic level change. Electrons are lost and what remains is chemically different.
Once gone, they cannot be put back.
The only way to "undo" oxidation in the visual sense---provided the material is thick enough to allow it---is via mechanical means. Scraping, sanding, grinding, etc.
If the impression is as deep as the oxidized layer around it, which appears to be the OP's case, when the "green" is gone, the impression will also be gone.
There used to be a pipe repair fellow, I believe he was in Ohio, who had gold autograph logo stamps as well as stamps for other brands. I don’t recall his name. I sent him an Autograph to have restamped and he did a great job. This was a good 15 years ago or more and I don’t know if he is still in business but you might want to do a Goigle search. Alternatively, you might contact Savinelli about getting a replacement stem.
Thanks, Alejo R. The nail polish sounds like a great idea with the possibility of being more durable. One question. How do you know it is a pipe of the year? I don't see anything on the pipe itself other than the Savinelli Autograph stamping. I'm a newby regarding these pipes; in fact, this is the first Autograph I've owed.
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I agree with George. You either remove the oxidation and a layer of material, or you don't.
I've had some success with acrylic nail polish on stamped stems. But on that one, the stamp too light to begin with.
If that Autograph stem is oxidized (and it appears so), it was made before 1982. In '82 they switched to acrylic, filter stems for the Autograph line.
pipe of the year carry the same logo. In fact I bought the pipe thinking it was an Autograph and it wasn't.
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Well, Steve Laug did have success refreshing an Autograph logo, using acrylic nail polish. If you let the nail polish dry properly, it is "as hard as nails". (excess comes off with a micromesh pad/sheet)
rebornpipes.com
Restoring a large Savinelli Autograph 5 Freehand Sitter
Blog by Steve Laug A few weeks ago I was contacted from a fellow in Montana who was selling his pipes as they had not been used for quite a few years. I asked him for a picture and he sent me the o…
rebornpipes.com
A search didn't turn anything up, and I think I'll give a try fixing it.
I suspect you are right. The one repaired by Steve Laug was more distinct--he had more to work with.
I should be able to get the stem refurbished this week, and I'll post the results for better or worse.
Earlier this week I picked these up while with my wife at JoAnn Fabrics. I tried with the white and I'm pleased with the results. With care, I added scratches within the initial stamping to give this stuff some extra something to adhere to. I then "wrote" over the logo, let it set for a bit and then wiped off the surface. 
Granted, there was plenty of indentation to work with there.
Here's a first pass at one where there is less to work with. Buyer beware, I guess.
Granted, there was plenty of indentation to work with there.
Here's a first pass at one where there is less to work with. Buyer beware, I guess.
Quite a nice result! If my current attempt with white out fails this looks like a good possibility.
I stated above that I wiped off the excess. Not quite true. I wiped off what would come off easily, then went over it with a Dremel and polishing wheel.