Rim Char Removal

[Intricate37]

I’ve scoured the forums, and nothing I’ve found/tried seems to work.

I’ve tried saliva and rubbing facedown on a paper towel, lemon juice with the same treatment. That seemed to start to lighten the stain so I stopped.

I’d like to be able to remove it without the use of sandpaper, or other type of power tool that I’ll inevitably damage the pipe in the process.

This may seem minor, but bothers me to no end.

Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

 

[gamzultovah]

I always use 70% rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball. The pipe looks natural so doing this shouldn’t harm the stain. Then go over the pipe with renaissance wax. Try a small area first.

 

[gervais]

If it's burnt wood, I doubt anything but sanding would work. If it's surface soot, a wipe should work. Hopefully some more experienced pipe restoration peeps will chime in.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Saliva only works on nicotine and tar build-up. That's burned wood.

 

[mikethompson]

I use a 8000 grit piece of micromesh, wetted, and with the gentlest of touches.

I'm currently cleaning up a 1950s Comoy like that.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Looks like the chamber was over filled.

 

[SpookedPiper]

Sometimes you just have to give that one up and purchase another to get the look you want! If that's the case let me know, she looks gorgeous to me!

All kidding aside, I can barley tell that she's had a rim job!

 

[Intricate37]

I agree that it is burnt wood. I made the mistake of overfilling and smoking while walking my dogs. In that case, is sanding my only hope?

If so, not sure I’d trust myself to not ruin the pipe.

 

[jerseysam]

If you smoke outside, you'll most likely get a bit of rim darkening/charging. By not over-stuffing/being careful with the flame for sure you can keep from serious damage......but just a bit of wind one time on a light and you can get a darkened spot. This bugged the living daylights out of me at first too, but honestly the more you find zen with a small bit of rim darkening/char the better your piping will go!

When I bought several 'estate' (used) pipes directly from some very well known carvers, I'd take note of typical dark spots at the rim. When I'd mention the contortions I went through to avoid rim spots, I'd get answers all in a similar vein...."just smoke and enjoy them". You can wet the rim with saliva before a light, you can use a small amount of mineral oil on the rim after smoking as you clean the pipe.....you can easily keep from severe damage but some minor darkening/char just comes with outside smoking.

 

[Chasing Embers]

In that case, is sanding my only hope?

Yep. It's not like build up that can be cleaned away, that's damaged briar.

In this case, years of smoking left tar and nicotine caked on the rim, but no burned wood. Saliva and a paper towel made short work of it but no wood damage was found.

 

[diamondback]

I’d smoke it as-is myself.

If it’s really bothering you and you’d rather not DIY, from what I understand you could do a lot worse than seeing if PMC member @piffyr has the bandwidth to take it on.

Regardless, good luck and keep us updated! That’s a nice pipe

 

[bullet08]

a bit of dark rim doesn't look bad. it shows you are truly concerned with smoking, and be damn with pipe.

 

[mikethompson]

A little bit of blackened rim gives the pipe some character, but as I have posted many times about many different things, if it distracts you from the experience with the pipe, move on from it.

 

[weezell]

It is a device you burn stuff in. To remain pristine means it is unsmoked. Make a choice...

 

[mso489]

It's just different personalities, but if that much charring bothered me, I wouldn't smoke at all. For me, it isn't a pipe beauty contest, and some wear is evidence of pleasure enjoyed. Maybe that's why I don't pine for exquisite museum quality artisan pipes. An old war horse factory pipe with a great airway and good sized bowl can't be beat, and a little char gives it panache. But if you want new looking, and have the patience, it can be done. To my eyes, that's a fine pipe in its youth.

 

[jpmcwjr]

You could try a scrubbing sponge, but that'll take longer than sandpaper. If it were me, I'd barely notice the charring, and tell you "Nice rim".

 

[sablebrush52]

That's charred wood. Sanding with micromesh pads and possibly refinishing if the char goes deeper than a hint are the only way I know of to get rid of that. But that's just the merest little bit. 'twere mine, I'd leave it be.
Some rim darkening is inevitable with use.

 

[craig61a]

That's charred wood. Sanding with micromesh pads and possibly refinishing if the char goes deeper than a hint are the only way I know of to get rid of that. But that's just the merest little bit. 'twere mine, I'd leave it be.
Some rim darkening is inevitable with use.

1+

 

[alaskanpiper]

It seems the consensus is to live with it! As I said in your first thread, I’d have to agree! That rim is beautiful man! I wouldn’t risk damaging it for a tiny bit of darkening that just shows you love that pipe!

Sandpaper or micromesh may work if done right, but I’d get myself some therapy and learn to live with it before I’d put that the remaining absolutely gorgeous 99.5% of that Castello at risk!

If you do take a stab at it, practice your methodology on some junkers first. They’re a dime a dozen on ebay.

 

[Casual]

You might want to look into a silver topped pipe if you must have it remain pristine.