Tips on Cleaning This BBB Stem

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Prior to attempting restoring this very stem in the picture , I'd love to hear Your opinion for the following short questions.
in order to facilitate sanding work,how would You think,is there any significant benefit to submerge it in a light bleach solution?,of course Emblem covered with Vaseline ,and how I'd clean it not obliterating the manufacturing logo,? Thank You for Your input.'

 

[Sigmund]

Keep it out of liquids. Work with light abrasives. Its not bad at all. If you eat away at it with solutions you just make pits and need to sand deeper if you want it smooth. It seems like a short cut but its really a long cut and more material is lost to the pipe gods. Im not a pro pipe restorer but I work regularly with hard rubber/vulcanite. Others my have good input on preserving the logo which looks in great shape. My advice on that part (and I dont know any tricks) is to be really gentle in that area.

 

[ssjones]

I agree with Sigmund. I've all but abandoned soaking in Oxyclean solution. Particularly on stamped logo stems, the vaseline comes right off.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Keep it out of liquids. Work with light abrasives. Its not bad at all. If you eat away at it with solutions you just make pits and need to sand deeper if you want it smooth. It seems like a short cut but its really a long cut and more material is lost to the pipe gods. Im not a pro pipe restorer but I work regularly with hard rubber/vulcanite. Others my have good input on preserving the logo which looks in great shape. My advice on that part (and I dont know any tricks) is to be really gentle in that area.

for starters ,Can I use Barkeepers fried or similar Vin product ?

 

[SmokeyJock]

@Chasing Embers i believe mentioned before that he keeps his stems from oxidising by wiping with a silver polishing cloth after use - given this doesn't look too bad at all, maybe some thorough cleaning with one of those would work? I might be misremembering though

 

[Sigmund]

Id use 600 grit sandpaper, then less, then buff. If you dont have a buffing wheel it takes more steps to get it glossy
Forget the insistence to use chemicals.

 

[Chasing Embers]

You think,is there any significant benefit to submerge it in a light bleach solution?,

That would only oxidize it worse and cause pits in the material.

Can I use Barkeepers fried or similar Vin product ?

Too mild, that's would shine it up but not remove oxidation.

@Chasing Embers i believe mentioned before that he keeps his stems from oxidising by wiping with a silver polishing cloth after use - given this doesn't look too bad at all, maybe some thorough cleaning with one of those would work? I might be misremembering though

They're good as a preventative but won't remove oxidation once it starts.

 

[sablebrush52]

Prior to attempting restoring this very stem in the picture , I'd love to hear Your opinion for the following short questions.
in order to facilitate sanding work,how would You think,is there any significant benefit to submerge it in a light bleach solution?,of course Emblem covered with Vaseline ,and how I'd clean it not obliterating the manufacturing logo,? Thank You for Your input.'
View attachment 351405View attachment 351407

Bleach is evil. It pits Vulcanite. This doesn't look all that bad, actually. Were I you, I'd try rubbing the stem with Simichrome polish to see if that does a good enough job. If not, go with Micromesh pads. If done correctly the result will be a mirror like gloss finish. Apply a thin coating of a microcrystalline wax, like Renaissance Wax, as a barrier to retard any oxidation.

 

[OzPiper]

Bleach is evil. It pits Vulcanite. This doesn't look all that bad, actually. Were I you, I'd try rubbing the stem with Simichrome polish to see if that does a good enough job. If not, go with Micromesh pads. If done correctly the result will be a mirror like gloss finish. Apply a thin coating of a microcrystalline wax, like Renaissance Wax, as a barrier to retard any oxidation.

That stem looks to be in a rather good condition.
I second the use of Micromesh pads.
Sand wet with the coarser grits.
Then application of Obsidan oil before sanding with each of the 3 finest grits

 

[Sigmund]

I dont think you can source obsidian oil in the EU. You can use some food grade mineral oil perhaps?

I just sand, clean in between and use a buffer and then wax at the end. No buffer just means more fine grits at the end.