The Ten Minute Stem Restore.

[Sig]

Vulcanite/Ebonite stems are my first choice. I like the feel of them and the looks. But, I can be a lazy SOB sometimes.....much of the time.
Anyways, I have followed all the advice over the years with varying success......Oxyclean, Magic Eraser, Barkeepers Friend, Flitz......
Then about 10 years ago I had a revelation and remembered the KISS method of life I do love.
So, here it is.......
0000 steel wool for a couple minutes, rub white beeswax all over, heat with lighter and rub for a minute. Done in under 10 minutes. I will occasionally use carnuba wax for a longer lasting, more shiny finish. But on my daily smokers, just beeswax. This GBD stem was pretty gross. The pictures don't do it justice. Zoom in to notice the drab green coating.

 

[B.Lew]

When you say rub for a minute after the beeswax application, is this with the 0000 steel wool?

 

[Briar Lee]

I learn something new here every day.

Beeswax is best for everyday smokers.

But I never thought to use heat.

 

[Sig]

When you say rub for a minute after the beeswax application, is this with the 0000 steel wool?

No, just with a cotton cloth.

 

[Sig]

I learn something new here every day.

Beeswax is best for everyday smokers.

But I never thought to use heat.

I use 1oz bars of white beeswax. When you rub it on, it can be buffed off without heat, but it's a lot of elbow grease. It melts with the smallest suggestion of heat.
The beeswax lasts many months, whereas carnuba lasts longer. But by the time the stem needs more beeswax, it's time to clean the pipe anyways. And, carnuba application is much more involved. I have the flake carnuba which I melt in a small pan. Then wipe on with a cloth, then buff off with a wheel. The beeswax protects and looks good with literally 3 minutes of work versus, 1/2 hour+ with carnuba.

 

[Briar Lee]

Added tip.

Beeswax and heat on the briar adds a remarkable luster.

 

[B.Lew]

No, just with a cotton cloth.

Why is the white bees wax better than the yellow beeswax? When you rub with the 0000 steel wool do you use anything as a lubricant?

I bought the wool and yellow beeswax. Still scared to start rubbing my stems though.

 

[Sig]

Why is the white bees wax better than the yellow beeswax? When you rub with the 0000 steel wool do you use anything as a lubricant?

I bought the wool and yellow beeswax. Still scared to start rubbing my stems though.

I just use the wool dry.
I use white beeswax just because I already have it for my Meerschaum pipes. I guess I didn't need to say white for the stems, it's just what I'm used to saying when talking about beeswax. The yellow is fine for stems I'm sure.

 

[Krampus]

That's a beautiful pipe! Do you have any advice on how not to round over the edges?

 

[redbarchetta]

I'm hoping you just saved me from my endless search for both a replacement stem for one of my Savs or an easy method to clean the existing stem. I'll let you know the results.

 

[plugugly]

Thanks for this. Everybody likes a good life hack!

 

[redbarchetta]

Well, the Savinelli wasn't a total disaster but the stem needed cleaning before it could be smoked again. I'm pretty happy with the results. I neglected to take before photos but here are a few afters.

 

[Sig]

That's a beautiful pipe! Do you have any advice on how not to round over the edges?

I wrap a thin layer of 0000 wool around the end of a credit card.
Then slowly use it flat against the stem to get the button crevice. Then use it to cautiously work the button.

 

[Questionable Source]

cautiously work the button.

Sound advice.

 

[newbroom]

In the years I've smoked a pipe I've generated some dirty stems. I have used several methods of cleaning and polishing. There are quick fixes and there are more in depth processes depending on your level of inspiration, motivation, and inclination. I still want to acquire a wheel set up that I can use to clean and polish, but meanwhile I might use any number of 'tools' to clear the inevitable saliva stains and oxidation from my stems.
(I can remember a thread that had me rubbing black coffee whetted cloth or towel on the rim to remove char, Chasing Embers)
The mesh pad system is a sure fire way to accomplish a nice shiny clean stem. You just have to be in the patience mode to do it.
Often I just use a piece of scotchbrite and water. I've used Burt's Bees chapstick too as a finisher.
The stems I wish were more durable come on the low end MM Cobs, I've got a bunch that have become distorted, bent at the tenon, ugly, swollen, chewed on, or even chewed through. I've got 3 or 5 vulcanite stems from other pipes that I use on several of my cobs. Now and then I still smoke one with the gummy stem too.
I've learned not to obsess about my pipe's pristine condition, if it had that quality when I first got it. A lot of my pipes I got on ebay and were used and abused. Making them my smoking tools has been part of the pleasure of the hobby.

 

[Briar Lee]

Another way to add a sheen is with coconut oil instead of wax.

I applied the oil (which is a semi solid, almost a wax like consistency in the jar) last night and let dry for a few hours and polished with a micro finer pad.



Unlike grapeseed oil, the coconut oil dries completely and quickly.

And it tastes good, too.

I bough the Walmart brand, enough for years and years for about $6.

 

[khiddy]

I give my pipes a quick polish with this beeswax-impregnated cloth after cleaning, just to keep the sheen on. They also get a good buff of the stem every now and again before a finishing polish with the cloth.

 

[Sig]

In the years I've smoked a pipe I've generated some dirty stems. I have used several methods of cleaning and polishing. There are quick fixes and there are more in depth processes depending on your level of inspiration, motivation, and inclination. I still want to acquire a wheel set up that I can use to clean and polish, but meanwhile I might use any number of 'tools' to clear the inevitable saliva stains and oxidation from my stems.
(I can remember a thread that had me rubbing black coffee whetted cloth or towel on the rim to remove char, Chasing Embers)
The mesh pad system is a sure fire way to accomplish a nice shiny clean stem. You just have to be in the patience mode to do it.
Often I just use a piece of scotchbrite and water. I've used Burt's Bees chapstick too as a finisher.
The stems I wish were more durable come on the low end MM Cobs, I've got a bunch that have become distorted, bent at the tenon, ugly, swollen, chewed on, or even chewed through. I've got 3 or 5 vulcanite stems from other pipes that I use on several of my cobs. Now and then I still smoke one with the gummy stem too.
I've learned not to obsess about my pipe's pristine condition, if it had that quality when I first got it. A lot of my pipes I got on ebay and were used and abused. Making them my smoking tools has been part of the pleasure of the hobby.

You can buy new MM stems for like $2. Ive seen packs of 10 stems on ebay for like $6.

 

[khiddy]

You can buy new MM stems for like $2. Ive seen packs of 10 stems on ebay for like $6.

Yeah, and if you're powering through the stock soft plastic MM stems at a fast clip, you might be a candidate for one of those fancy Forever Stems from VF. While I haven't yet gotten one myself, I know that fellas that do have them seem to love them.

 

[Sig]

Yeah, and if you're powering through the stock soft plastic MM stems at a fast clip, you might be a candidate for one of those fancy Forever Stems from VF. While I haven't yet gotten one myself, I know that fellas that do have them seem to love them.

I bought a Forever Stem 15 years ago, put it on an MM Diplomat.....and never smoked it.
No idea why, just haven't got to it yet.