Lacquer Finishes, etc

[Slow Puffs]

I notice that a few of my pipes have a shiny lacquer finish. Before I run out and buy a spray can of of "clear" lacquer and spray the rest of my pipes, some one share with me why lacquer isn't used more often.

 

[Kapnismologist]

My experience had been that a lacquer finish is typically used on pipes with inferior wood (to hide mastic fills, etc.).

 

[pipetongue1]

All wood is pourous[sp ], it needs to breath, Ken. :tongue:

 

[Slow Puffs]

Seems to me I recall seeing some very pricey Dunhills (black) that appeared to have a lacquer finish. I'm talking about in the 2 grand price range Maybe I'm wrong, it's been a few years.

 

[Kapnismologist]

Seems to me I recall seeing some very pricey Dunhills (black) that appeared to have a lacquer finish. I'm talking about in the 2 grand price range Maybe I'm wrong, it's been a few years.

Yes, I believe the dress finish (black) is lacquer. Of course Dunhill can do whatever Dunhill wants (and charge accordingly; it is Dunhill after all). I have had a few lacquered pipes pass through my rotation in the past. I do not own any at present though. I'm sure those will more knowledge on the matter will weigh in shortly!

 

[Wet Dottle]

I've had pipes with a clear lacquer or varnish finish (I still have one in my current rotation, a Rinaldo). They've always smoked as well as the waxed pipes, with the advantage that they were always shiny. No prejudice against lacquer here.

 

[Sasquatch]

Lacquer is associated with cheap pipes, which can smoke poorly. Most pipe makers feel that type of finish has no effect on smoking properties.

And if you guys knew what was on some of your 300 dollar pipes you'd be surprised.

I have a 200 dollar Beraldi, pretty sure it's dipped in acrylic. Smokes fine.

 

[Anonymous]

All wood is pourous[sp ], it needs to breath, Ken. :tongue:

Amen KEN and KAP.........
I personally dislike it, if you are not super careful it starts to chip, I have had a run in with two Sav 3613 dry systems that have not impressed me at all. Seems KAP is right. The ones I get in for repair all seem to be full of putty and a refurbishments nightmare.
The flip side is that I cleaned a Ser Jacopo with varnish the other day and it was really nice, Seen them on Dunnie Dress pipes as well. Higher end pipes do have better varnish finishes though. Muddler has a High gloss black Pete silver Spigot that looks just great and he has had it for quite some time!

I swing towards a good old carnauba waxing myself!!

 

[gandalfpc]

I have only one Bent Bob with such a finish - not a fan myself - nice wood deserves a wax finish, refreshed from time to time

That layer of lacquer lies between your hand and the pipe, while a wax layer feels warmer, closer to raw wood than the plastic feel of lacquer

 

[Anonymous]

I have only one Bent Bob with such a finish - not a fan myself - nice wood deserves a wax finish, refreshed from time to time

That layer of lacquer lies between your hand and the pipe, while a wax layer feels warmer, closer to raw wood than the plastic feel of lacquer

:cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

 

[TreverT]

FWIW, IMO, the "breathing" thing is pipe mythology - You can find any number of lacquered pipes that smoke just as well as waxed ones (Virtually all high end sandblasts are lacquered or shellac-finished, for example, from the majority of makers). The major complaint with lacquer, for me, is that it can chip. Time and heat can erode the finish and cause matte spots to appear, and if it's smoked too hot it can even bubble. So... applied properly, it's perfectly workable as a finish, though not my personal ideal. Very thinned lacquer actually works well as a stain sealer, though, if not a total surface finish (for cutting down on stain bleed).

 

[Anonymous]

FWIW, IMO, the "breathing" thing is pipe mythology - You can find any number of lacquered pipes that smoke just as well as waxed ones (Virtually all high end sandblasts are lacquered or shellac-finished, for example, from the majority of makers). The major complaint with lacquer, for me, is that it can chip. Time and heat can erode the finish and cause matte spots to appear, and if it's smoked too hot it can even bubble. So... applied properly, it's perfectly workable as a finish, though not my personal ideal. Very thinned lacquer actually works well as a stain sealer, though, if not a total surface finish (for cutting down on stain bleed).

Valuable info coming from a man of your stature Sir........ thanks for the info :cheers:

 

[TallSmoke]

Does Peterson dip all of their pipes in the staining process? I thought I had read that somewhere on here, but couldn't find it... I seem to recall my Aran coming three years ago with nothing in the bowl but unfinished briar?

 

[Anonymous]

Does Peterson dip all of their pipes in the staining process? I thought I had read that somewhere on here, but couldn't find it... I seem to recall my Aran coming three years ago with nothing in the bowl but unfinished briar?

Hey TS..... I have some 5 Arans and all are varnish free, I have seen some cheaper end Pete's with varnish tho', just cant recall the series right now! Come to think of it I have not yet had a pete in the workshop to date with varnish but they are out there. One thing is for sure, Pete uses very good wood!

 

[Sasquatch]

Peterson was at best very sloppy and at worst dip-staining stummels for awhile, but I understand that things have changed recently for the better.

 

[TallSmoke]

Thanks, Piet and Sasquatch. I like my Pete and was thinking about adding another one sometime and wanted to be sure. I'll ask before I buy one off the net, just to be sure.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks, Piet and Sasquatch. I like my Pete and was thinking about adding another one sometime and wanted to be sure. I'll ask before I buy one off the net, just to be sure.

You will never be sorry about spending money in a Pete Tall one!

 

[J_Rock]

I have a Nording 124 squat tomato and it is a beautiful pipe. It has a laquer finish and I can't find one flaw in it. I can't find any info on this pipe (I have been searching for a long time) but it does not seem low end.