henry
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Post by henry on Jun 5, 2022 18:45:44 GMT -5
I would be interested in hearing about members stem cleaning technique and whether there is anything close to a consensus on purchased cleaning solutions v. make your own, or just grain alcohol. Also if any like to use stem cleaner on the interior shank. I'll be doing some batch cleaning soon.  |
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Post by terrapinflyer on Jun 5, 2022 18:56:33 GMT -5
Consensus? Here? That's funny!
I'm not fastidious with my pipes, so I'll let you take the other 23 opinions that will be offered.
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Post by trailboss on Jun 5, 2022 19:11:00 GMT -5
I use Everclear on the innards of the stem, on Vulcanite/ Ebonite, you have to be careful not to get it on the exterior, it does a number on the finish. I use the Tupperware cup with the straw/ seal that squeegees the Everclear on my stem cleaning so that it does not drip on the stem. thebriarpatchforum.com/thread/2331/handy-option-everclear-applicationTupperware's website with a better secondary link embedded in that one, but cheaper on Ebay.... www.tupperware.com/products/tupperware-impressions-16-oz-500-ml-tumblers-2022On cleaning the exterior of Ebonite, I like using Autosol polish,  prior to using that, an magic eraser helps quite a bit, a lot of people use micromesh pads. I never quite get the clean that I get when I send a pipe off to Mike Myers every few years or so, he buffs the stem to a degree that I care not to do. |
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Zach
Pro Member
If you can't send money, send tobacco.
Posts: 4,359
First Name: Zach
Favorite Pipe: Too many currently, bound to change
Favorite Tobacco: Haunted Bookshop, Big 'N' Burley, Pegasus, Habana Daydream, OJK, Rum Twist, FVF, Escudo, Orlik Golden Sliced, Kendal Flake, Ennerdale
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Post by Zach on Jun 5, 2022 23:24:00 GMT -5
Stem cleaning, or stem polishing? I don't do anything to clean stems but run Everclear on pipe cleaners through it. For keeping vulcanite polished and shiny, I use fine sandpaper, micromesh, buffing, and Obsidian oil.
Acrylic stems need nothing but alcohol and pipe cleaners ran through them.
Autosol is a strong, alkaline surfactant degreaser containing sodium hydroxide, and I would never use it on my pipe stems. I would not put that in my mouth, and it will degrade vulcanite.
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Post by Legend Lover on Jun 6, 2022 6:31:36 GMT -5
Consensus? Here? That's funny! I'm not fastidious with my pipes, so I'll let you take the other 23 opinions that will be offered. Haha. I just run a pipe-cleaner through everything after each smoke, and then I put the pipe away. So far that's kept me right. |
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Post by Goldbrick on Jun 6, 2022 7:54:29 GMT -5
Everclear here also, for the inner stem, and until now I've been using red rouge compound and a soft rag on the outer stem. I have two tubes of the metal polish Trailboss posted above, and I'll be giving That a try real soon.
Inside the stem the Everclear works great. As posted, don't get any on the outside. If you can't get Everclear, a shot glass of Wild Turkey will work...you can use a whisper of the W.T. on the cleaners and the balance of the glass to keep your strength up.
I use the wide end of a tapered cleaner, and a bit of Everclear in the shank.
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Rattlesnake Daddy
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Post by Rattlesnake Daddy on Jun 6, 2022 8:59:46 GMT -5
My pipes usually just get a wipe down and a pipe cleaner through the stem and airway after smoking. I bough a bottle of obsidian stem oil to try on my vulcanite stems, and it seems to do well.
If it is an estate pipe, I run 91% Isopropyl through the stem and airway. I would try everclear, but they do not sell it where I live.
RSD
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henry
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Post by henry on Jun 6, 2022 9:27:30 GMT -5
Everclear here also, for the inner stem, and until now I've been using red rouge compound and a soft rag on the outer stem. I have two tubes of the metal polish Trailboss posted above, and I'll be giving That a try real soon. Inside the stem the Everclear works great. As posted, don't get any on the outside. If you can't get Everclear, a shot glass of Wild Turkey will work...you can use a whisper of the W.T. on the cleaners and the balance of the glass to keep your strength up. I use the wide end of a tapered cleaner, and a bit of Everclear in the shank. Good to note, Goldbrick. Residue does seem to occur inter-shank on my pipes. I was interested if anyone had strong reasons not to use alcohol on briar/shank interior (via cleaners, not directly). I use a dry cleaner on my pipe after each use & most of my pipes are filter but there is slow build up. Nature of the beast. Curious as to why some commercial stem cleaners market as "sweetener" -- some herbal or tasted enhancer with the alcohol? As no homemade cleaner recipes have popped up so far appears to be a minor add-on, if not just sales rhetoric. |
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Post by Goldbrick on Jun 6, 2022 10:55:43 GMT -5
henry: I have a bottle "Bee Sweet" pipe sweetener around here somewhere, and in a pinch, it replaces a sour pipe taste with a Chap Stick/ish flavor, that dwindles away after a few puffs, and leaves you with a fresher tasting pipe...
a few drops of rum or vodka, that you may have on hand anyway, will do the same thing and likely clean much better.
The Bee-Sweet I have on hand came to me as a stocking stuffer, and not a personal purchase.
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Post by dervis on Jun 6, 2022 10:57:10 GMT -5
I don't remember where I read this, but when doing an outside clean on stems Oxiclean works well.
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Zach
Pro Member
If you can't send money, send tobacco.
Posts: 4,359
First Name: Zach
Favorite Pipe: Too many currently, bound to change
Favorite Tobacco: Haunted Bookshop, Big 'N' Burley, Pegasus, Habana Daydream, OJK, Rum Twist, FVF, Escudo, Orlik Golden Sliced, Kendal Flake, Ennerdale
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Post by Zach on Jun 6, 2022 10:58:08 GMT -5
Run Everclear or high grade isopropyl or denatured alcohol on cleaners through all of the pipe for thorough cleaning; the shank, the bowl, the stem. The pipe sweetener stuff I believe uses mint or something like that for flavoring but I've never tried one.
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Post by Ronv69 on Jun 6, 2022 11:31:29 GMT -5
Everclear here also, for the inner stem, and until now I've been using red rouge compound and a soft rag on the outer stem. I have two tubes of the metal polish Trailboss posted above, and I'll be giving That a try real soon. Inside the stem the Everclear works great. As posted, don't get any on the outside. If you can't get Everclear, a shot glass of Wild Turkey will work...you can use a whisper of the W.T. on the cleaners and the balance of the glass to keep your strength up. I use the wide end of a tapered cleaner, and a bit of Everclear in the shank. I like Everclear for cleaning pipes, but it will craze the acrylic stems and will eventually weaken them with major cracks. I use 80 proof whiskey on my stems and most bowls unless the stummel is very filthy. |
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Post by Goldbrick on Jun 6, 2022 12:23:09 GMT -5
: Ronv69: Thanks, for the imfo in acrylic stems, I'll stick to something milder and taster from now on; I never let Everclear touch the outside of any pipe, but I'll be mindful of the acrylics going forward.
I've seen where some guys use a product called Brasso to keep a luster on acrylic stems, but I've never tried it myself.
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Post by Ronv69 on Jun 6, 2022 12:36:33 GMT -5
: Ronv69: Thanks, for the imfo in acrylic stems, I'll stick to something milder and taster from now on; I never let Everclear touch the outside of any pipe, but I'll be mindful of the acrylics going forward. I've seen where some guys use a product called Brasso to keep a luster on acrylic stems, but I've never tried it myself. Brasso is a metal polish. It works great for metal but I would choose a polish made for plastic. |
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Post by bonanzadriver on Jun 6, 2022 13:13:52 GMT -5
I don't remember where I read this, but when doing an outside clean on stems Oxiclean works well. It's what I've used for years when refurbing estate pipes. For day to day? I run a pipe cleaner through em and polish the outside with a cloth. If it's gettin a little oxidized I'll dab a bit of ever clear on it and polish it up. if it's real bad, a touch of an oxyclean bath then buff it up on the polishing wheel, finishing up with carnuba wax |
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rastewart
Junior Member
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Post by rastewart on Jun 6, 2022 16:53:23 GMT -5
Everclear here also, for the inner stem, and until now I've been using red rouge compound and a soft rag on the outer stem. I have two tubes of the metal polish Trailboss posted above, and I'll be giving That a try real soon. Inside the stem the Everclear works great. As posted, don't get any on the outside. If you can't get Everclear, a shot glass of Wild Turkey will work...you can use a whisper of the W.T. on the cleaners and the balance of the glass to keep your strength up. I use the wide end of a tapered cleaner, and a bit of Everclear in the shank. I like Everclear for cleaning pipes, but it will craze the acrylic stems and will eventually weaken them with major cracks. I use 80 proof whiskey on my stems and most bowls unless the stummel is very filthy. |
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Post by william on Jun 6, 2022 16:57:28 GMT -5
: Ronv69: Thanks, for the imfo in acrylic stems, I'll stick to something milder and taster from now on; I never let Everclear touch the outside of any pipe, but I'll be mindful of the acrylics going forward. I've seen where some guys use a product called Brasso to keep a luster on acrylic stems, but I've never tried it myself. Brasso is a metal polish. It works great for metal but I would choose a polish made for plastic. And I've heard folks say they use Flitz. It, too, is a metal polish and works great on the receivers of my double barrel shotguns, but I would not polish a pipe stem with that. As for the stem innards, I simply use cognac on a pipe cleaner every time one gets smoked, periodically followed by strawberry Chapstick for a bit of a shine.  |
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msokeefe
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Posts: 464
First Name: Mark
Favorite Pipe: Petersen Red 03 bent apple spigot, Savinelli 310 KS
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Post by msokeefe on Jun 9, 2022 9:53:15 GMT -5
Everclear here also, for the inner stem, and until now I've been using red rouge compound and a soft rag on the outer stem. I have two tubes of the metal polish Trailboss posted above, and I'll be giving That a try real soon. Inside the stem the Everclear works great. As posted, don't get any on the outside. If you can't get Everclear, a shot glass of Wild Turkey will work...you can use a whisper of the W.T. on the cleaners and the balance of the glass to keep your strength up. I use the wide end of a tapered cleaner, and a bit of Everclear in the shank. I like Everclear for cleaning pipes, but it will craze the acrylic stems and will eventually weaken them with major cracks. I use 80 proof whiskey on my stems and most bowls unless the stummel is very filthy. Great tip! |
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msokeefe
Junior Member
Posts: 464
First Name: Mark
Favorite Pipe: Petersen Red 03 bent apple spigot, Savinelli 310 KS
Favorite Tobacco: Father Dempsey, Presbyterian, Wilke’s Crystal Palace, Westminster, Black House
Location:
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Post by msokeefe on Jun 9, 2022 14:24:54 GMT -5
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Post by sperrytops on Jun 9, 2022 14:30:48 GMT -5
Consensus? Here? That's funny! I'm not fastidious with my pipes, so I'll let you take the other 23 opinions that will be offered. Haha. I just run a pipe-cleaner through everything after each smoke, and then I put the pipe away. So far that's kept me right. ditto |
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Post by cigrmaster on Jun 11, 2022 15:52:52 GMT -5
All of my pipes but 2 are vulcanite and I use Everclear on them all. A few bristle pipe cleaners for each one and my stems are clean. I don't have to do it often as I clean the piss out of my pipe after every single smoke. I use BJ Long Tapered fluffy and BJ Long Tapered Bristle pipe cleaners after every smoke and I use them generously. I use 2-4 fluffies in the stem then double them over and wipe the inside of the bowl down to get any loose tobacco or ash. I then double 2 -3 BJ Long Tapered Bristle cleaners and wipe back and forth real hard to clean the shank. Lastly I double over 2-3 times a bristle to get the mortise clean.
My system works so well I rarely have to use Everclear and do a deep clean. I keep a nice hard cake and rarely have to ream as well. Good maintenance after every smoke really keeps a pipe clean. I pay good money for my tobacco and I want it to taste as good as it can every time I light up.
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Zach
Pro Member
If you can't send money, send tobacco.
Posts: 4,359
First Name: Zach
Favorite Pipe: Too many currently, bound to change
Favorite Tobacco: Haunted Bookshop, Big 'N' Burley, Pegasus, Habana Daydream, OJK, Rum Twist, FVF, Escudo, Orlik Golden Sliced, Kendal Flake, Ennerdale
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Post by Zach on Jun 11, 2022 16:17:31 GMT -5
All of my pipes but 2 are vulcanite and I use Everclear on them all. A few bristle pipe cleaners for each one and my stems are clean. I don't have to do it often as I clean the piss out of my pipe after every single smoke. I use BJ Long Tapered fluffy and BJ Long Tapered Bristle pipe cleaners after every smoke and I use them generously. I use 2-4 fluffies in the stem then double them over and wipe the inside of the bowl down to get any loose tobacco or ash. I then double 2 -3 BJ Long Tapered Bristle cleaners and wipe back and forth real hard to clean the shank. Lastly I double over 2-3 times a bristle to get the mortise clean. My system works so well I rarely have to use Everclear and do a deep clean. I keep a nice hard cake and rarely have to ream as well. Good maintenance after every smoke really keeps a pipe clean. I pay good money for my tobacco and I want it to taste as good as it can every time I light up. Exactly. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2022 19:23:26 GMT -5
I don't need to apply any kind of product besides pipe cleaner and paper towels.
I pass a bristle pipe cleaner throughout every time, then remove the stem, fold the pipe cleaner in two and swipe the mortise. Finally, I wipe the tenon with a paper towel and let the pipe dry overnight, unassembled.
The next day, I wipe the tobacco chamber with a paper towel and reassemble the pipe. Et voilà.
Periodically, I look into the tobacco chambers and, when it's due, I grab my Rodgers pipe knife and remove some carbon. I usually do all my pipes in one sitting.
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Post by taiguy66 on Jun 12, 2022 10:55:55 GMT -5
I use Everclear on the innards of the stem, on Vulcanite/ Ebonite, you have to be careful not to get it on the exterior, it does a number on the finish. I use the Tupperware cup with the straw/ seal that squeegees the Everclear on my stem cleaning so that it does not drip on the stem. thebriarpatchforum.com/thread/2331/handy-option-everclear-applicationTupperware's website with a better secondary link embedded in that one, but cheaper on Ebay.... www.tupperware.com/products/tupperware-impressions-16-oz-500-ml-tumblers-2022On cleaning the exterior of Ebonite, I like using Autosol polish, prior to using that, an magic eraser helps quite a bit, a lot of people use micromesh pads. I never quite get the clean that I get when I send a pipe off to Mike Myers every few years or so, he buffs the stem to a degree that I care not to do. Charlie, may I send you my pipes for polishing please?  ? |
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Post by taiguy66 on Jun 12, 2022 10:57:59 GMT -5
henry: I have a bottle "Bee Sweet" pipe sweetener around here somewhere, and in a pinch, it replaces a sour pipe taste with a Chap Stick/ish flavor, that dwindles away after a few puffs, and leaves you with a fresher tasting pipe... a few drops of rum or vodka, that you may have on hand anyway, will do the same thing and likely clean much better. The Bee-Sweet I have on hand came to me as a stocking stuffer, and not a personal purchase. Totally agree Herb! Why have chap stick flavor when you can have rum? 😃👍 |
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Post by Goldbrick on Jun 12, 2022 11:02:00 GMT -5
henry: I have a bottle "Bee Sweet" pipe sweetener around here somewhere, and in a pinch, it replaces a sour pipe taste with a Chap Stick/ish flavor, that dwindles away after a few puffs, and leaves you with a fresher tasting pipe... a few drops of rum or vodka, that you may have on hand anyway, will do the same thing and likely clean much better. The Bee-Sweet I have on hand came to me as a stocking stuffer, and not a personal purchase. Totally agree Herb! Why have chap stick flavor when you can have rum? 😃👍 Or Crown Royal, and drink the bath-water! |
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