The Finish on My Pipe is Damaged?

[pooredward]

hey guys, relative newbie here with a question about the finish on my pipe.
my favorite pipe so far in my small collection is a Savinelli miele with a beautiful grain. I've had this pipe for only a few weeks. I was cleaning it the other day and noticed some scuffing or marks on the outside of the bowl, a pattern of dullness on the otherwise beautiful finish. it looks like just some dirt, so I took a damp cloth and tried to clean it but it won't come off. I've been very careful with this pipe so I don't think it got physically scraped or anything. anybody know what is going on here? Is there some coating on new pipes that can be marred? Any way to clean or restore this? Thanks in advance!
Edit: Moved to Pipe Repair and Maintenance, L.

 

[topd]

As a newly retired Marine (21 years ago) I was always worried about my hunting weapons not being

perfectly clean, and my boots being scuffed. My wife worries about the silver not being polished

and the floor doesn't look freshly swept after a couple hours.

I say just smoke it for a while and don't look at it.... Worry about it later, when you decide if

it really needs anything

 

[crpntr1]

Welcome to the forums!!

Can you post a picture so we can see it? :puffpipe:

 

[mlaug]

It could be as simple as the wax on the finished surface wore off from handling, heat, or whatever.
Will it buff to a shine again? It isn't uncommon for a new pipe to loose wax a little more quickly than an older one with some buildup.

 

[pooredward]

Thanks for the welcome! I'll try to get a picture after work (but it may not come across well on a photo, we'll see).
D - I appreciate your sentiment and I can definitely get with that, I mostly just want to see if there's something I may be doing wrong that could further damage the finish. My hands may be grubby but they're not THAT grubby
mlaug - interesting, didn't realize that briars have a wax coating on them (I've heard of this for meers). It does seem likely to be some sort of wax issue then, maybe I can buff it back, will ask the gents at my B&M to use their buffing machine.

 

[topd]

Just me.... I'm messin' with Ya'

There is so much knowledge here in this forum... Welcome aboard. Read and learn,

I'm still learning

 

[clyde]

Hard to say without a photo, one possible reason is if the bowl has been excessively hot, as in almost to hot to handle.

 

[numbersix]

Welcome! I can understand you wanting it right. The folks here will be able to offer better advice than me, but have you tried waxing/polishing it yet?

 

[pooredward]

I have not done any waxing or polishing yet. I did give it a good rub with a soft microfiber cloth and a damp paper towel, with no effect. Do you have a recommended cleaning product that I should check out? thanks!

 

[archerdarkpint]

The way I look at it, my pipes, like my guitars, are treated like tools. I don't treat them poorly, rather with respect, but the sign of wear to me is a sign of experience and use (some would dare say love). The roots run deep...but true.

 

[taerin]

Buy this wax http://www.finepipes.com/accessories/halcyon-ii-wax and a microfiber cloth, all you will ever need. It is specifically ment to be used for hand polishing, works fast and you don't need a buffing machine. It shines up really really well. They also make it in the 8oz version as well, just click acessories for that. I find the 1oz enough to polish all my pipes for a couple of years, but then I only have one briar pipe when I think about it... His shipping is only a couple of bucks so getting the small one off the bat can be worth it.
They do also make Paragon wax for smooth pipes, but I don't use it because it gets into any nick or grove and doesn't come out. The last thing I want is to have the brand name of my pipe completely white because the carving got filled in with wax, or to fill in with white any flaw in the black stem of the pipe. Halcyon II comes out a lot easier. Microfiber cloths can be found cheap on Amazon or Ebay.

 

[spyder71]

Welcome aboard and good luck with the pipe!