My First Pipe Restoration

[CnB]

Well, I got my first estate pipe today and I'm raring to start working it over. The stem is currently soaking in some Oxi-Clean.

Attached is a picture from bbauer09, who sent it to me. As you can see, there's some pretty hefty stem oxidation, which turned it a rather icky brown.
I'm fresh outta pipe cleaners, so I'll buy some this evening (any recommendation on size/type?)
I only have a tiny splash of isopropyl left, I've never seen any place carrying Everclear, but I do have a big ol' bottle of 40% ABV vodka, so that may be what I use for cleaning. I'm thinking it might be cool to strip the finish and maybe dye it a lighter color. It has some nice grain to it.

Any tips are welcome, and there will be more pics coming!

 

[Hunter]

Good Luck! I am excited to see how it turns out!

 

[nortac]

I would not use isopropyl on my pipes, only food grade alcohol and the higher proof the better, it will be a better solvent. If you can't find Everclear, perhaps one of the commercially available "moonshine" liquors or any clear ethanol would do. Whiskey will impart a taste to your pipe, which if that is OK with you, it would work.

 

[CnB]

I would not use isopropyl on my pipes, only food grade alcohol and the higher proof the better, it will be a better solvent. If you can't find Everclear, perhaps one of the commercially available "moonshine" liquors or any clear ethanol would do. Whiskey will impart a taste to your pipe, which if that is OK with you, it would work.

whoops already used it with some salt
ah well, live and learn. I'll be quite certain it's evaporated before using the pipe though

Oxi-clean didn't do much to the stem so I used some steel wool. Even that didn't get the oxidation totally off, but it's definitely in usable shape. Oiled it up and it looks decent but certainly not new.

 

[Schmitz Bitz]

whoops already used it with some salt
ah well, live and learn. I'll be quite certain it's evaporated before using the pipe though

Oxi-clean didn't do much to the stem so I used some steel wool. Even that didn't get the oxidation totally off, but it's definitely in usable shape. Oiled it up and it looks decent but certainly not new.

CnB, as long as you are using a high-proof Iso you'll be ok - I've never used anything other than 99% on my pipe restorations. Just be careful, as the alcohol will strip the finish (when I am preparing a pipe for dying, I actually submerge the stummel in an alcohol bath overnight, then hit it with ascending grits of sandpaper).
As for your stem, I would suggest picking up a pack of ascending grits of micro-mesh pads (available through Lee Valley Hardware, or in the automotive paint section of most hardware stores), they work wonders.

I've got a photojournal of a pipe restored as described above posted here.

 

[CnB]

CnB, as long as you are using a high-proof Iso you'll be ok - I've never used anything other than 99% on my pipe restorations. Just be careful, as the alcohol will strip the finish (when I am preparing a pipe for dying, I actually submerge the stummel in an alcohol bath overnight, then hit it with ascending grits of sandpaper).
As for your stem, I would suggest picking up a pack of ascending grits of micro-mesh pads (available through Lee Valley Hardware, or in the automotive paint section of most hardware stores), they work wonders.

I've got a photojournal of a pipe restored as described above posted here.

A bit did spill over the rim when I was salting it. Haven't been able to inspect it yet, but if it damaged the finish I'll definitely be refinishing it. Good photojournal, ended up nicely.

 

[bbauer09]

1) I think isopropanol is totally fine to use. I actually pretty much only use it.
2) To really clean the stem well use mr. clean magic erasers. They work wonders. Just one of those and a bit of warm water. If that really doesnt work, try using a nice sandpaper. (I usually start with 220 and move up to one around 600). If you put the time in you can get it looking new.
3) for pipe cleaners, get a few bristle cleaners and then a bunch of the standard cleaners. I usually soak them in isopropanol before using instead of water.
4) If you want to stain it I think thats a great idea. Its a lot of work though. Just know it will take a lot of sanding and a lot of stain and time. Ive only done it once but my results were great!

Good luck!