How should I take care of vulcanite stems?

cpt.retro · Mar 10, 2021

Hey folks,

New member here, looking for some guidance on vulcanite stems. I'm a relatively new pipe smoker, and my entire rotation consists of pipes with acrylic stems. I've got a pipe with a vulcanite stem on it's way, and I'd like to know how to go about cleaning it without accelerating the oxidation process too much.

With my acrylic stems, I generally wash them with warm water and soap after a day of use for sanitation reasons. Can I apply the same routine for vulcanite or should I do something different?

Thanks!

Brewdude · Mar 10, 2021

There are different methods for maintaining vulcanite.

Soaking them in Oxiclean solution and then rubbing with a microfiber cloth is one such method. Sometimes one has to go down to very fine emery cloth or steel wool if the oxidation is very deep.

I've had good luck using a Magic Eraser. When the oxidation is removed, rinsed, and dried, a small drop of obsidian or mineral oil worked into the stem helps. Wipe it off after it dries a bit.

Be sure to keep vulcanite stems out of direct sunlight as that exacerbates oxidation. Finally, one's own mouth chemistry can turn a vulcanite stem colors, and not all vulcanite is created equal.

HTH

Cheers,

RR

cpt.retro · Mar 11, 2021

Thanks for the tips. I have a Magic Eraser and mineral oil at hand, so I'll definitely give them a go when it oxidizes.

How about daily cleaning though? I've heard hot/warm water speeds up oxidation, so I'm afraid of using water and soap for a quick rinse like I do with my acrylics.

Brewdude · Mar 11, 2021

cpt.retro said:
Thanks for the tips. I have a Magic Eraser and mineral oil at hand, so I'll definitely give them a go when it oxidizes.

How about daily cleaning though? I've heard hot/warm water speeds up oxidation, so I'm afraid of using water and soap for a quick rinse like I do with my acrylics.

Frankly I wouldn't worry about daily cleaning, other than maybe to run a pipe cleaner through after smoking. That said, your individual mouth chemistry can possibly hasten the formation of oxidation. It depends on the you and the nature of the vulcanite. If that's the case then use a softy bit and don't clench.

Cheers,

RR

Ranger107 · Mar 11, 2021

Brewdude said:
There are different methods for maintaining vulcanite.

Soaking them in Oxiclean solution and then rubbing with a microfiber cloth is one such method. Sometimes one has to go down to very fine emery cloth or steel wool if the oxidation is very deep.

I've had good luck using a Magic Eraser. When the oxidation is removed, rinsed, and dried, a small drop of obsidian or mineral oil worked into the stem helps. Wipe it off after it dries a bit.

Be sure to keep vulcanite stems out of direct sunlight as that exacerbates oxidation. Finally, one's own mouth chemistry can turn a vulcanite stem colors, and not all vulcanite is created equal.

HTH

Cheers,

RR

This. Magic eraser and oxyclean. Don't need to do it daily just when needed.

Haebar · Mar 14, 2021

You can slow the oxidation process by rubbing a drop of Obsidian pipe stem oil to your vulcanite stems once they are clean.

Zeno Marx · Mar 17, 2021

Even washing with cold water will speed up the greening oxidation. I'd avoid washing in that sense. Run a pipe cleaner or two after a smoke, and leave the deep cleaning for once a year, or even every couple of years as needed, because then you're going to have to magic eraser, buff, micropad, toothpaste, or something to bring it back black and shiny. I've had decent luck with keeping a nice layer of halcyon wax on the stem. It's easy and quick, too.

https://www.finepipes.com/accessories/halcyon-ii-wax

Brunello · Mar 17, 2021

Zeno Marx said:
Even washing with cold water will speed up the greening oxidation. I'd avoid washing in that sense. Run a pipe cleaner or two after a smoke, and leave the deep cleaning for once a year, or even every couple of years as needed, because then you're going to have to magic eraser, buff, micropad, toothpaste, or something to bring it back black and shiny. I've had decent luck with keeping a nice layer of halcyon wax on the stem. It's easy and quick, too.

https://www.finepipes.com/accessories/halcyon-ii-wax

Hmmm, never tried the Halcyon wax before, I use Obsidian Oil when rebuffing. But I take it the wax acts as a preventative to keep oxidation at bay? Anybody here tried both methods who can comment??

Zeno Marx · Mar 17, 2021

Brunello said:
Hmmm, never tried the Halcyon wax before, I use Obsidian Oil when rebuffing. But I take it the wax acts as a preventative to keep oxidation at bay? Anybody here tried both methods who can comment??

I assume the wax is just a barrier, as in keeping air away from the rubber, and if you aren't a biter, also doing some work to keep saliva away from direct contact with the rubber as well. My guess then would be that rubbing with oil after a use would break down, or even wipe off, the wax. I'd be curious if anyone did some further experimenting.

Pomeroy · Dec 4, 2024

I use chapstick on my vulcanite stems after each smoke before resting the pipe . They stay oxidation free.

Aussiemike · Dec 4, 2024

This is a good reference

https://rebornpipes.com/tag/maintai...ore the stem oxidizes,an old cotton tee shirt.

Forrest · Dec 5, 2024

Pomeroy said:
I use chapstick on my vulcanite stems after each smoke before resting the pipe . They stay oxidation free.

What a great tip! (See what I did there?)

But really, thanks! I'm going to do that!

ralphmcculley · Dec 5, 2024

I've been using Regular Chapstick for the last 15 years

Pomeroy · Dec 5, 2024

Forrest said:
What a great tip! (See what I did there?)

But really, thanks! I'm going to do that!

One of the benefits of using chapstick is all my vulcanite stems is they always look nice and black and stain free on display.

Forrest · Dec 5, 2024

That's just a wonderful tip. I have a couple older ones that have discolored. I'll keep them all lip-sticked from now on!

AndyNJ · Dec 5, 2024

Little pure vinegar in a glass put stem in it and microwave until vinegar boils off. 30 40 seconds not too long. Stem will go back to black. Polish gently afterwards.

Forrest · Dec 5, 2024

AndyNJ said:
Little pure vinegar in a glass put stem in it and microwave until vinegar boils off. 30 40 seconds not too long. Stem will go back to black. Polish gently afterwards.

wow. Polish how? (Can I polish by hand?)

AndyNJ · Dec 5, 2024

there is an auto polish paste works by hand, I have to look it up tomorrow

Singed · Dec 6, 2024

Like others, I use a Magic Eraser to restore the gloss to an oxidized stem. As far as regular cleaning goes, I use butcher's block oil. It's food safe and it keeps a nice glow on the stem, one drop on a soft toothbrush will do several stems. Wipe them down with a soft cloth afterward.

Forrest · Dec 7, 2024

Nice. Thanks!

How should I take care of vulcanite stems?

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