munroe
New Member
Posts: 55
First Name: Scott
Favorite Pipe: Lane ft worth
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Post by munroe on Nov 7, 2020 15:17:03 GMT -5
Hope everyone is having a great day. I have a question (that hopefully isn't a dumb one) about polishing/cleaning pipes.
I see the beautiful pics of everyone's pipes and I see some beautiful mirror like finishes. Most of my pipes are mostly estates bought here and there and I have cleaned them up to be quite nice. So my question is as follows.
What's the trick to getting that high "gloss" finish?
I have used denicare pipe Polish as well as denicare stem Polish with what I feel unsatisfactory results.
As of late I'm on a very tight and strict budget so I'm really not interested in spending more then I have to. Maybe there's some DIY solutions to bring back/out that lustrous shine?
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Post by sperrytops on Nov 7, 2020 15:56:46 GMT -5
We have several pipe makers on this forum and I'm sure they'll give you some good advice. Cramptholomew comes to mind.
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Post by Ronv69 on Nov 7, 2020 15:57:49 GMT -5
You need pure carnuba wax and a power buffer, a steady hamd, and patience. Then if you smoke it all bets are off.
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chasingembers
Senior Member
Posts: 1,909 
First Name: Duane
Favorite Pipe: My Growing J. Everett Collection, Fifteen Day Bruce Weaver Set, Meerschaums, Oguz Simsek Skulls
Favorite Tobacco: Black Frigate,Solani Silver Flake, Yenidje Highlander, Angler's Dream, Watch City Slices, Salty Dogs, Mephisto, Ennerdale Flake, Rich Dark Honeydew, 1792 Flake
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Post by chasingembers on Nov 7, 2020 16:10:52 GMT -5
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munroe
New Member
Posts: 55
First Name: Scott
Favorite Pipe: Lane ft worth
Location:
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Post by munroe on Nov 7, 2020 16:26:32 GMT -5
Hmmm....may have to take a peek at my wife's jewelry box .see what she's got 😁 |
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munroe
New Member
Posts: 55
First Name: Scott
Favorite Pipe: Lane ft worth
Location:
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Post by munroe on Nov 7, 2020 16:29:18 GMT -5
You need pure carnuba wax and a power buffer, a steady hamd, and patience. Then if you smoke it all bets are off. Steady hand and patience....check.power buffer....well that I don't have lol. |
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chasingembers
Senior Member
Posts: 1,909
First Name: Duane
Favorite Pipe: My Growing J. Everett Collection, Fifteen Day Bruce Weaver Set, Meerschaums, Oguz Simsek Skulls
Favorite Tobacco: Black Frigate,Solani Silver Flake, Yenidje Highlander, Angler's Dream, Watch City Slices, Salty Dogs, Mephisto, Ennerdale Flake, Rich Dark Honeydew, 1792 Flake
Location:
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Post by chasingembers on Nov 7, 2020 16:58:01 GMT -5
You need pure carnuba wax and a power buffer, a steady hamd, and patience. Then if you smoke it all bets are off. Steady hand and patience....check.power buffer....well that I don't have lol. You'll want a buffer that runs around 1400 RPMs. Much faster will wear grooves into the pipe and stem. Keep a finger in the chamber while you work as the buffer can send the pipe crashing to the floor. |
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Post by Legend Lover on Nov 7, 2020 17:09:03 GMT -5
It could also be that some of those pipes you've seen have shellac coating which will give a better shine too.
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Post by puffy on Nov 7, 2020 17:10:23 GMT -5
As I've gotten older (78 now) I'm finding that my fingers aren't quite as nimble as they used to be..Those shiny smooth pipes look nice but are a bit easier to slip out of my hand. For that reason I don't polish my pipes these days.
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munroe
New Member
Posts: 55
First Name: Scott
Favorite Pipe: Lane ft worth
Location:
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Post by munroe on Nov 7, 2020 20:31:29 GMT -5
Thanks guys. I'll keep all that in mind. Take a look at what I have and what I can get. As for the shellac ,I feel kinda silly, but it never occurred to me to put that on a pipe.
I'm not crazy concerned, but I figure I have some time on my hands as of late, so I thought I'd catch up on some tasks. Not so much for my regular smokers but I have a couple is like to do up for collective purposes aswell as hopes for maybe carving my own pipe over winter.
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Post by bonanzadriver on Nov 7, 2020 20:44:13 GMT -5
There are lots of youtube videos out on how to refurb pipes. I'd absolutely encourage you to watch several dozen, that's what I did, and then put yourself together a refurb kit like this.....  I had the bench, picked up the jewelers variable speed polisher on amazon or ebay for less than $100, also gathered the rest of the things, files, sand paper, emry boards, cloths, etc... for less than $100. Then you can start with this...    And wind up with this...    Enjoy the journey. |
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Post by bonanzadriver on Nov 7, 2020 20:48:29 GMT -5
I'd also encourage you to start out on a cheap pipe or 2 until you hone your craft.
cheers
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munroe
New Member
Posts: 55
First Name: Scott
Favorite Pipe: Lane ft worth
Location:
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Post by munroe on Nov 7, 2020 20:50:07 GMT -5
There are lots of youtube videos out on how to refurb pipes. I'd absolutely encourage you to watch several dozen, that's what I did, and then put yourself together a refurb kit like this..... I had the bench, picked up the jewelers variable speed polisher on amazon or ebay for less than $100, also gathered the rest of the things, files, sand paper, emry boards, cloths, etc... for less than $100. Then you can start with this... And wind up with this... Enjoy the journey. Beautiful pipe and a beautiful job done. My word you'd almost think the two were different pipes. Beautiful. And I'd say with all the advice and suggestions, I think I've figured out just how I'll spend my winter lol. |
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chasingembers
Senior Member
Posts: 1,909
First Name: Duane
Favorite Pipe: My Growing J. Everett Collection, Fifteen Day Bruce Weaver Set, Meerschaums, Oguz Simsek Skulls
Favorite Tobacco: Black Frigate,Solani Silver Flake, Yenidje Highlander, Angler's Dream, Watch City Slices, Salty Dogs, Mephisto, Ennerdale Flake, Rich Dark Honeydew, 1792 Flake
Location:
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Post by chasingembers on Nov 7, 2020 21:19:07 GMT -5
Beautiful pipe and a beautiful job done. My word you'd almost think the two were different pipes. Beautiful. And I'd say with all the advice and suggestions, I think I've figured out just how I'll spend my winter lol. Just be aware that similar results can be had without power tools.  |
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munroe
New Member
Posts: 55
First Name: Scott
Favorite Pipe: Lane ft worth
Location:
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Post by munroe on Nov 7, 2020 21:38:02 GMT -5
Beautiful pipe and a beautiful job done. My word you'd almost think the two were different pipes. Beautiful. And I'd say with all the advice and suggestions, I think I've figured out just how I'll spend my winter lol. Just be aware that similar results can be had without power tools. That would be the approach is be most interested in right now. And maybe move to include power tools here and there as I can. In the meantime hand tools it is. |
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Post by trailboss on Nov 7, 2020 23:02:37 GMT -5
Power tools can greatly increase the speed of cleaning up a pipe’s exterior, but lacking the skills, you can ruin a pipe, the stem and briar. It is best to practice with beater pipes when using buffing wheel.
It is a laborious task (in my experience) to turn a green stem shiny black, and when done by a pro, the oxidation on an ebonite stem returns at a much slower pace.
Therefore for me, it is a more valuable use of my time to ship them off to be done, at some point when I am at home all the time that may change. Of course that can be said for many things I deal with such as wrenching on cars, from preventive maintenance to repairs.
It really depends on where you are at in life.
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jay
Junior Member
Edward's Pipes....only Edward's pipes....and Buccaneer in the bowl
Posts: 442
First Name: Jay
Favorite Pipe: Edwards handmade
Favorite Tobacco: Buccaneer, Special Balkan, Scottish Moor
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Post by jay on Nov 8, 2020 1:19:44 GMT -5
You need pure carnuba wax and a power buffer, a steady hamd, and patience. Then if you smoke it all bets are off. Steady hand and patience....check.power buffer....well that I don't have lol. A buffing pad on your inexpensive Harbor Freight table grinder, then lightly apply the carnuba wax to the pad and buff lightly. Failing that, just close your eyes while you puff and imagine that your pipe shines like a diamond...LOL. |
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Post by trailboss on Nov 8, 2020 9:38:50 GMT -5
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Post by madscientist on Dec 17, 2020 0:09:36 GMT -5
Micromesh. 2x2 9pcs up to 12000 grit.
Ive done 6 pipes and they are still goin strong.
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