Seeing Aaron's last pipe got me thinking. Can you remove the finish on a pipe to have a "unfinished" version to allow the oils for your hands to create the finish? Has anyone else modified or changed their pipes?
Pipe modifications
- Thread starter Hangten
- Start date
Savinelli sells an unfinished pipe for <$50. I hear they take on a wonderful patina with use.
If it's a smooth finish some sandpaper will take off the stain. Fine grits will take longer but will leave a smoother finish.
I've modded a lot of mine. I have a churchwarden with a black rustication, and I'm taking the finish off the high parts for a nice two-tone finish. I also had another cheap barrel pipe with a run in the varnish, I sanded it off and it looks awesome. I use crazy high grits when I do mine for a good polish. I tend to end on 12k grits
- Thread starter
- #5
Nice! Thanks gents. Keep the comments coming!
0000 wool or some other grit?
^I dont recall the grit numbers, but I use a rather fine wool. Of course you can go ultra fine to finish up. I use a buffing wheel with compound followed by carnauba wax to finish up. If you dont have a buffer, you can get a hand-held drill attachment with the cotton wheels but this requires some caution to avoid shooting the pipe across the room. You need to watch the edges to avoid buffing them too much.
I was JUST thinking about this. Smoking on my Brog Churchwarden the other day and looking at what I consider a dastardly design flaw, varnish on the top of the bowl. I'm going to get some very fine sandpaper onto it sometime soon. I wonder if I can then stain it dark. I don't know if I want to be breathing in oils etc from wood stains. I'd love some ideas on this (hope I'm not distracting from the OP's question, hopefully just adding to the conversation).
- Thread starter
- #10
Robster, no man, your fine! The more the merrier. Probably should just open this up for discussion of all pipe mods people have done.
Cool as then! 
So what's the thoughts on darkening the pear wood on the Brog? Toxic fumes?
So what's the thoughts on darkening the pear wood on the Brog? Toxic fumes?- Thread starter
- #12
Cool as then!
You should be just fine as long as you allow proper dry time. Then give it a good carnauba polish to try and prevent rim burn or at least make it easy to get off. No need to stain the inside of the bowl, just get a good cake and it will be dark. If there is a spot on the inside of the bowl I would put a little honey on that spot and load the bowl up to it to ensure it burns that area. Does that help?
My MM cob had a heavy layer of lacquer on the rim that started to bubble and turn black so I sanded that off and just allowed the tars and a little rim burn to occur and I think it looks much better than the caramelized sugar look around the bowl.
Anyone have advice on how to apply carnauba wax to a pipe without a buffing system? Could I add something to it (it's pure wax right now). Also, fun fact, some candies are made with carnauba wax. Hot Tamales for example.
Can we see pictures of a stripped pipe w hand oil patina? Or rubbed with wax?
- Thread starter
- #16
The melting point for carnauba is just above room temp. So if you take a rag and make circles on your block it will start to melt and then you can apply it in a more liquid state. Then with some elbow grease you should be able to polish it up nice. I have used a cloth wrapped really tight (and taped at one end) on a bit attached to my electric drill. It is not as fast as a buffer wheel but makes quick work of the wax.
Great thread, curious to see if anyone will post their pipe mods!
Drilled out an ol' bent billiard that gurgled like crazy. Much better opened. I think I went up to 5/16 if memory works well.
Kats, what is that in the stem? A stinger? What kind of pipe? Are you just opening up the hole or making a new one? How does that help the gurgle? I am just full of questions about what you are doing!! Looks like fun!!
I'm pretty sure you meant to say 5/32" not 5/16", right?
