Salt treatment: some questions

[tslex]

I prefer salt and feel like it does a better job, because, as stated above, it is far more aggressive a leaching method. (Think high school chemistry and what you learned about constraitons equalizing each other.)
As for the shank -- yeah, that is often the place where the most attention is needed. I typically wrap a shank brush with a small gun patch, soak it in whatever I'm using (GA or vodka typically), insert the wrapped brush and let it sit in the shank for a good hour. Then remove the patch, vigorously scrub with a brush, moving to bristle cleaners, finishing with soft cleaners until they come out white.

 

[desertpipe]

Years ago several forum friends had cracks develop in their pipes after salt treatments, and I never used it again on a pipe.....it only took one good pipe for them to switch to cotton balls. If it needs more aggressive de-ghosting, I clean out the shank with a shank brush and pipe cleaners soaked in Everclear, then retort.

 

[okiescout]

I have used salt on probably 50 or sixty estate pipes. I have never noticed a problem. I understand my experience is limited. I do feel that the salt is part of the cleaning out of the bad stuff ( human input) from and in the shank into the bowl bottom. Wood being what it is, this travels. I suppose heat should kill some of this higher in the bowl. But I have had repeated amounts of stain come out in the shank even after a scrubbing with Everclear. When it comes to real elimination of someone else's saliva I have already decided to use Mike Myers and his ozone treatment in the future.

 

[desertpipe]

Okie, if I were just doing my own pipes I would probably feel the same way. I work on pipes for collectors and guys who want their Fathers or Grandfathers pipes restored. The thought of doing anything that might damage one of these pipes is always a consideration. You might find that after a complete bowl cleaning (including a cotton ball or salt treatment), thoroughly scrubbing out the shank and bit, that a retort treatment takes the cleaning process to a whole new level.

 

[gmwolford]

You might find that after a complete bowl cleaning (including a cotton ball or salt treatment), thoroughly scrubbing out the shank and bit, that a retort treatment takes the cleaning process to a whole new level.

+1

 

[jonesee75]

Have used both cotton and salt. Both have worked very well. Cotton balls are much easier to work with. If you can get it, I would recommend Everclear. I know there are others who like to use a bourbon or rum to add "flavor" to the pipe. Honesty I have tried it but I did not taste it. Happy smokes and Happy Thanksgiving.