Sirs! I have a question!

[MonarchistPiper]

So basically I was told by an Estate pipe seller that one could use cacao butter (the one used in chapsticks) to make vulcanite stems have that sheen again. And tbh it works. Have any of yall tried it? Is it toxic? Ive found the flavor imparted is almost unnoticeable and its nontheless rather nice.

 

[Homer]

I use obsidian oil.

 

[johnnyflake]

Try the "Pink Stuff All Purpose Cleaner" from Walmart and a buffing wheel!
It's amazing!

 

[Chasing Embers]

If you've never done any stem restoration before, clean the stem with a Magic Eraser then you can use a manicure block to shine it up. Thumb buffing with toothpaste can also bring them to a mirror polish. Oils are just an oxidation preventative but won't remove oxidation.

 

[Pypkė]

Make it shine again when the stem is oxidized? Only fine sanding as described at rebornpipes.com will get it back to a real shine. Obsidian oil is the product favored by many for maintenance.

Shine up an unoxidized stem? Again, obsidian oil is recommended. But sure, cocoa butter could work. Some guys just run the stem on the sides of their nose to get some oil on there for a quick polish.

 

[MonarchistPiper]

If you've never done any stem restoration before, clean the stem with a Magic Eraser then you can use a manicure block to shine it up. Thumb buffing with toothpaste can also bring them to a mirror polish. Oils are just an oxidation preventative but won't remove oxidation.

Ooooh Ive never used the manicure blocks! Thank you! As someone that cant get the micromesh pads I certainly appreciate another option!

 

[Chasing Embers]

Only fine sanding as described at rebornpipes.com will get it back to a real shine.

The oxidation can be burned away but I wouldn't advise it for someone just starting out.

 

[Pypkė]

The oxidation can be burned away but I wouldn't advise it for someone just starting out.

I usually wave a flame from a lighter across the shank to raise tooth dents.

 

[Sobrbiker]

For preventing oxidation, Howard’s Butcher Block conditioner is what I use-a couple drops on a folded up strip of paper towel lasts all week. I just rub down stem (especially at/by bit) after running cleaner through post-smoke).

Oxidation itself needs physical removal.

 

[Pypkė]

For preventing oxidation, Howard’s Butcher Block conditioner is what I use-a couple drops on a folded up strip of paper towel lasts all week. I just rub down stem (especially at/by bit) after running cleaner through post-smoke).

Oxidation itself needs physical removal.

I wipe a bit of that butcher block stuff on the stummel too.

 

[Sobrbiker]

I wipe a bit of that butcher block stuff on the stummel too.

Yup, it’s good stuff for sure!

 

[dottlejockey]

If you've never done any stem restoration before, clean the stem with a Magic Eraser

I have used this method for years as well.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I don't like greasy stems, nor any oils on it. I just keep my stems wiped down with a polish cloth before racking them. One of those jewelry polishing cloths you can get at Walmart or a jewelry store.

I do apply a light coating of Microcrystaline wax, Renaissance Wax, to the stem just after doing a deep clean, but then after that, it's just the polishing cloth.

 

[Bassman65]

I gotta try the Howard’s. Can it also be used to polish the pipe itself?

 

[Sobrbiker]

I don't like greasy stems, nor any oils on it. I just keep my stems wiped down with a polish cloth before racking them. One of those jewelry polishing cloths you can get at Walmart or a jewelry store.

I do apply a light coating of Microcrystaline wax, Renaissance Wax, to the stem just after doing a deep clean, but then after that, it's just the polishing cloth.

I must be unlucky, I can taste/feel renwax for a while on my lips, even with a light coat and buffing with a clean cloth.

The Howard’s I use is a light wipe coat (a couple drops on a folded over paper towel strip, maybe 1.5”x2” square once folded), a quick wipe with a dry microfiber before use.

You’ve been doing it much longer, and mine have patina on the bit area after not a relatively long time, so I’m in no way saying one’s better than the other.

I gotta try the Howard’s. Can it also be used to polish the pipe itself?

Yup. Wipe on, wipe off.

 

[georged]

I've started detaching the stems from all my pipes and storing them in a container of half 90-weight hypoid gear lube and half duck fat that's kept in a commercial-grade sub-zero freezer, then removing whichever one is needed and returning it to the "time vault" (as I call it) immediately after smoking.

Talk about keepin' them puppies shiny. Lawdy, lawdy...

 

[OzPiper]

I've started detaching the stems from all my pipes and storing them in a container of half 90-weight hypoid gear lube and half duck fat that's kept in a commercial-grade sub-zero freezer, then removing whichever one is needed and returning it to the "time vault" (as I call it) immediately after smoking.

Talk about keepin' them puppies shiny. Lawdy, lawdy...

@georged
Surely it’d be faster for you to cut a new stem than go through the process of thawing out and matching 200 stems to the appropriate stummel each time you felt like a smoke
Plus, you really do have to luuuuv duck confit