Scorch Marks On The Rim & Plateau

[scottishjohn]

Is there any non-invasive way to remove scorch marks from the inside rim and plateau

of a lightly smoked pipe? They do not appear to be very heavy, but it is hard to tell when trying to make a visual assesment of them.

 

[sparroa]

Saliva, cotton swabs, and plenty of elbow grease will be a start.
If that doesn't do the job, that is the height of my expertise so you'll have to seek another opinion.

 

[sebastian]

Ill second the method of q-tips and good ol' spit. It works well.

 

[cajundad]

Q-tips and saliva . I rub it with the Q-Tip while smoking and after .

 

[sparroa]

I know there is not much you can do with estates that already have some marks on the rim, but it pays to be very very careful not to scorch the pipe.
That may seem obvious, but it is easy to get careless - especially with matches.
It's one of those "ounce of prevention" things. It is a pain to have to rub off those burnt tars all the time.
If you keep doing it regularly, however, it shouldn't become a big problem.

 

[cortezattic]

Tars and carbon build up can be cleaned; but burnt wood can can only be removed. I think it's called "topping" a rim.

Now, I'm thinking that perhaps even tars and oils can so deeply penetrate and stain the rim that one would be unable

to remove them without sanding.

 

[pitchfork]

Alcohol, spit and elbow grease can remove almost any tars, but actual burned wood (as someone noted) can only be sanded away. I've used micro-mesh pads to do this before, but that could be difficult with a plateau top if the scorching is down in the grooves as well.
EDIT: Didn't see you there cortezattic. Didn't mean to repeat your suggestions.

 

[ssjones]

If the wood is truly scorched, you can't remove that without sanding and restaining. Many estate pipes have a heavy build-up of tars/carbon, etc. that can be removed, sometimes leaving no marks at all on the briar.

 

[cynyr]

Not really an answer to the original question, but since the subject of 'topping' came up, Al's friend Steve at Reborn Pipes has an excellent overview.
I have topped a couple using his guide, and the results were nice!

 

[dochudson]

I take reasonable care of my pipes.. but, I'm not loosing sleep over scorch marks..I buy them to smoke them. Some of my best smokers look like they have been in a fire.

 

[tokerpipes]

Spit and a good rag. Water would work too.

 

[kcghost]

Black coffee works well.

 

[scottishjohn]

Thanks Guys, Really appreciate the suggestions. Had a stuborn one, but its gone now.