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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2018 0:44:04 GMT -5
I've been neglecting this old meer of my dad's, not really knowing what to do with it. With his briars I did minimum intervention - cleaning with alcohol, cotton, and salt + a light ream (I didn't mind keeping some of the cake). The stems were the hardest part, but the one on the meer is acrylic, I guess. So any tips on how to clean this pipe? It's a special one to me because my mom said she gave it to my dad for an anniversary present. It also looks well-loved, judging by the thick cake and the many scratches.    |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2018 0:59:35 GMT -5
I was told, I think here, no alcohol. Two of my meers have cake in them. I trim them delicately. My newer meers do not have cake in them and will stay that way. The older two have been there for decades and I like it that way. If the cake has been on there long, I would topically trim it, but maybe not all the way down.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2018 1:02:53 GMT -5
Had some trouble with photos, but got 'em uploaded.... So, david - just water or ? Presumably the stem can be washed pretty vigorously, or cleaned with alcohol? |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2018 1:10:54 GMT -5
Stem, yes. Water on the bowl. Warm, and don't get it too warm. I busted an antique pipe that way. Better to trim a little and let it rest then do it more later. I have been working on a heavily caked briar with success... after blowing the rare antique pipe. oh, no salt. Someone said it won't crack a pipe, but I think that played into my issue as well.
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Post by beardedmi on Mar 1, 2018 7:24:19 GMT -5
Don't trim the cake on wet meerschaum thats when its weakened as water softens meer.
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Post by oldcajun123 on Mar 1, 2018 8:46:57 GMT -5
Sand the cake down, that will negate any danger, keep water away it will soften the stone, you can use alcohol for the shank , I put folded paper towel in bowl to soak up excess while useing a bristle cleaner in shank. Make sure your stem is not Amber, different method for cleaning. Small cuts and nicks can be sanded, but it's your Fathers and I would leave them as memories. Look up Fred Bass Meer Mans advice , he was the expert.
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Post by peteguy on Mar 1, 2018 11:40:53 GMT -5
I have had good luck with recovering some older meers with a savinelli reamer and being very careful. I believe they are called a fitsall - kind of a dull knife. This is just to knock down the cake. Then its sand paper and once again being very careful. The rim can be cleaned up with some micro mesh but it is a gamble if you get going to fast or use to much grit. Anything on the rim or the outside of the bowl will need to be done with the highest grit or you will leave scratches. Whenever I have used water or spittle on the outside or the rim it ends up smearing some of the grime or dirt and sorta stains the Meer. I would rather have a bit of discoloring than char on the rim so this works for me. Eventually it just becomes a part of the patina and coloring anyway. I use bristle pipe cleaners for the shank with some liquid - water, pipe freshener, etc. The stems I just do what I do on any stem, alcohol and buff.
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Post by oldcajun123 on Mar 1, 2018 11:51:23 GMT -5
A tip, toothpaste is a fine abrasive, some jewelers used it for scratches on watch crystals, it should work on outside scratches.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2018 15:02:56 GMT -5
Great tips, thanks. I like the sandpaper idea, and oldcajun123 that's just what I was thinking about the scratches etc. They add character and I'm not aiming to get it in perfect condition - I just want to smoke it! Is it easy to tell amber from acrylic? |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2018 15:10:40 GMT -5
The others added key info that I will have to incorporate, so thanks to all and for the thread, too
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2018 15:30:51 GMT -5
Great tips, thanks. I like the sandpaper idea, and oldcajun123 that's just what I was thinking about the scratches etc. They add character and I'm not aiming to get it in perfect condition - I just want to smoke it! Is it easy to tell amber from acrylic? easier to tell if you had one there to compare. Amber has a sheen to it that is glass like (also delicate and prone to breakage). Your good to go there. Clean it up as advised and enjoy. |
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