Balmoral Whitehall purple ink

[Bugsahearn]

Hi all, I recently acquired some new balmoral whitehall pipes. My guess would be they are from the 50's/60s. They are in perfect condition but when I run a wet pipe cleaner thru or wipe inside the bowl with a rag I get a wet purple dye oming off. Is this normal? Has anyone ever experienced this with old pipes? I assume it's the dye used on the briar. Is it safe to smoke these or have they not withheld the test of time. They came with a paper inside the bowl that reads lifetime warranty although it turned to dust pretty much upon touching it. Seems all 5 have the purple dye coming off. What do you guys think?

 

[RobJ]

It's probably dye used to stain the bowls. I'd just take some alcohol or Ever Clear and very carefully clean out the mortise, air way and chamber, hopefully that will get most of the dye out and give the pipes a good amount of time to dry. Also be super careful with whatever you use to clean out the pipes, alcohol can strip off the pipe's finish. Q tips and pipe cleaners should work for cleaning tools I think.

 

[Bugsahearn]

Thanks rob!

 

[juanmedusa]

Rob is wise.

 

[Bugsahearn]

Have you guys experienced this before? Anyone have a balmoral whitehall pipe?

 

[juanmedusa]

Have you guys experienced this before? Anyone have a balmoral whitehall pipe?

I feel like I had it once with a "new old stock" something. I can't remember what. I basically followed Rob's advice. I'm still alive.

 

[Bugsahearn]

I ran cleaners soaked in peroxide (no alcohol on hand) thru the stem until they started to come out clean. I don't know why the stems got so full of dye from sitting around for 50 years. I'm guessing whitehall's are not too high quality. I hope the dyes they used back then aren't toxic since the inside of the bowl is coated in it

 

[Ocelot55]

Yup, that's dye used to finish the pipe. Most factory pipes are dip stained to save time. Good for their bottom line, but that means stain gets in the mortise and the tobacco chamber. Almost every factory did/does it. I cleaned a couple Dunhill Bruyeres at work today and had the same thing happen. Don't worry. It's pretty much safe. After smoking it for a while all traces should disappear.

 

[Bugsahearn]

Ok thanks ocelot..maybe I'll try cleaning out the bowl with clove oil to get rid of as much stain as I can. I wonder what type of dye it is...turned my finger red

 

[Ocelot55]

Ok thanks ocelot..maybe I'll try cleaning out the bowl with clove oil to get rid of as much stain as I can. I wonder what type of dye it is...turned my finger red

The majority of dyes used are alcohol based. Everclear or denatured alcohol should take it right off. Just try not to get it on the exterior of the pipe as it will harm the surface finish. I don't know what it is about red dyes but they seem to be the worst offenders when it comes to running and bleeding.

 

[Bugsahearn]

Ok thanks I cleaned out the bowl with clove oil til the dye stopped bleeding. I'm sure once I build a cake I won't have to worry about it. Thanks for the advice!

 

[SpeedyPete]

Maybe it's Purplehall pipes?

 

[Bugsahearn]

i finally decided to try and break one of this whitehall in. I was dreading it cause of the dip stained red bowl. I couldn't take more than two sips..the heavy flavor of red ink was overwhelming and very unpleasant. not sure i'll ever be able to smoke these

 

[juanmedusa]

Sorry to hear that. John.

 

[Bugsahearn]

thanks juan....i'll try and scrub the stain out. how do you guys get passed this on your dip stained pipes?

 

[juanmedusa]

My Peterson 69 Killarney released stain onto pipe cleaners early on and I scrubbed it out as best I could with liquor and a variety of pipe cleaners and one of those little barrel brushes for draft holes. With the liquor I think the clearer and higher proof the better although I have been known to use a strong rum before. If that doesn't work perhaps repeat the process once a week for a few weeks. If that doesn't work then I'm at a loss.

 

[Bugsahearn]

My Peterson 69 Killarney released stain onto pipe cleaners early on and I scrubbed it out as best I could with liquor and a variety of pipe cleaners and one of those little barrel brushes for draft holes. With the liquor I think the clearer and higher proof the better although I have been known to use a strong rum before. If that doesn't work perhaps repeat the process once a week for a few weeks. If that doesn't work then I'm at a loss.

Thanks juan I'll give that a try. or maybe try the alcohol and salt deal they do for old smoked pipes

 

[juanmedusa]

You could definitely do both. Start with the cleaning I suggested then when it seems that's done all the good it will do then run a salt/alcohol treatment. I don't own a retort so I don't know if that would help this particular problem especially but I guess it's something else to think about. Good luck.

 

[Puffer Mark]

not sure i'll ever be able to smoke these

What about the old salt & alcohol treatment? May take care of the bowl, at least.

My 2c.

M.

Sorry, not reading properly :fpalm: