Who do You Send Your Pipes for Professional Cleaning?

[lordofthepiperings]

Title edited to lower case articles and unimportant works.

I’m thinking about bringing my collection of Sam Adebayo pipes to the LVIPS in October, but I’d like to send them off to be professionally cleaned better than I can do myself. Looking for suggestions of reputable places to send them off to be professionally deep cleaned. Thanks for any help, appreciate it.

 

[Two Pipes Crossing]

You may like to look here:

Calling All Pipe Restorers! :: Pipe Repair and Maintenance - https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/threads/calling-all-pipe-restorers.97119/

 

[ak2000]

Tim West does a great job!

jhlowe.com

 

[sablebrush52]

When it comes to a deep cleaning, I do it myself. Sometimes the process can a few days, so I'll do a number of pipes at the same time, as part of that process is using a series of alcohol soaked pipe cleaners, letting the stay in the airway till they dry out and suck out oils, letting the pipe dry out, then repeating several times. Nuts, I know, but the pipe gets very close to neutral.
If I need a repair, then I use a pro.

 

[Sigmund]

Id be hesitant to send my pipes anywhere in the mail. It never crossed my mind to have someone else take care of them. Id really have to know their work. Not like I buy thousand dollar pipes but still. The wrong person can jack things up if they dont care as much as you.

 

[captpat]

When it comes to a deep cleaning, I do it myself. Sometimes the process can a few days, so I'll do a number of pipes at the same time, as part of that process is using a series of alcohol soaked pipe cleaners, letting the stay in the airway till they dry out and suck out oils, letting the pipe dry out, then repeating several times. Nuts, I know, but the pipe gets very close to neutral.
If I need a repair, then I use a pro.

I also do my own cleaning, perhaps not as good as a pro but there's a certain feeling of satisfaction. Repairs are sent out to a pro.

 

[Sir Yak]

When it comes to a deep cleaning, I do it myself. Sometimes the process can a few days, so I'll do a number of pipes at the same time, as part of that process is using a series of alcohol soaked pipe cleaners, letting the stay in the airway till they dry out and suck out oils, letting the pipe dry out, then repeating several times. Nuts, I know, but the pipe gets very close to neutral.
If I need a repair, then I use a pro.

What kind of alcohol? Thanks

 

[Peter Peachfuzz]

Tim West is my go to for cleaning or repair

 

[lordofthepiperings]

Sounds like I should give Tim West a call. Thanks!

 

[kcghost]

A number guys offer restoration services on Calling All Pipe Restorers! :: Pipe Repair and Maintenance - https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/threads/calling-all-pipe-restorers.97119/. Don't confuse guys who do restorations with pipe repairmen. Those guys are indeed uncommon.

 

[Pyrodoc]

I’m thinking about bringing my collection of Sam Adebayo pipes to the LVIPS in October, but I’d like to send them off to be professionally cleaned better than I can do myself. Looking for suggestions of reputable places to send them off to be professionally deep cleaned. Thanks for any help, appreciate it.

I’d be happy to take a look at your collection and discuss what need.
MyPipeGuy@yahoo.com

 

[jpmcwjr]

I do all my cleaning and reaming.

How dirty are they? Can you post some pics?

 

[alaskanpiper]

I do most of my own, but if you want it done absolutely spectacularly well, Chance Whittamore with great estate pipes does an excellent job, but its a little pricier than other options like mad pipes or rad pipes (both on instagram).

Chance recently completed this restoration for me on a 1967 Sven Knudsen Pipe Dan Swan, and a 1967 Dunhill 104:




These were done by Mad Pipes:

 

[jpmcwjr]

The pipes with the eye shattering blue look quite crispy! Your pics or other?

 

[SunriseBoy]

Title edited to lower case articles and unimportant works.

I’m thinking about bringing my collection of Sam Adebayo pipes to the LVIPS in October, but I’d like to send them off to be professionally cleaned better than I can do myself. Looking for suggestions of reputable places to send them off to be professionally deep cleaned. Thanks for any help, appreciate it.

Anyone in Oz doing this?

 

[orlandofurioso]

Do it myself, love it.
In particular the really, really grimy ones
Currently cleaning a very nice and very, very dirty Castello Sea Rock CS from the sixties ( ivory bar ! )
Bought it from Noli Milan, they promised a clean pipe, ready to smoke out of the box etc. etc. !
Dirty business again with them Italians sellers.
It did not come cheap and when I complained things got just a little ugly.

 

[orlandofurioso]

What kind of alcohol? Thanks

Long story short:
Isopropanol for the initial cleanings, last one with grain alcohol.

 

[Sigmund]

With the problems that exist with the mail everywhere Id only send pipes that needed some restoration type cleaning. In the music industry I know guys who have sent saxophones worth thousands in the mail and had them disappear. Insurance is not always easy to colllect and some things you cant replace if they pay.

If its just interal cleaning Id sit down with a beverage of choice and go work on them. As a side note. Never ship reusing a box that is labeled as something valuable or easy to move in the market. Someone I know did and its pretty clear it was stolen by workers. Obviously, odds are still on your side but I wouldnt tempt fate if I didnt have to.