Removing Hard Clear Finish

**morty58** · 01-09-2013, 01:01

I have a pipe that I would like to remove the clear hard finish on. What would be the best method to use that I won't strip off the bit of stain on it ? I am finding that pipes that I own that have a clear hard finish on them smoke hot no matter what I do. I do have different grades of micro mesh and was wondering if this would do the trick or should I take cotton swabs with acetone ( nail polish remover ) to it? I would like to get this off as it seems to inhibit the pipe from being able to breathe. The pipes I have that do not have this clear hard finish on can be smoked multiple times in a row without getting hot. Hope you can give suggestions.

**Etph3030** · 01-09-2013, 01:55

I'm not the expert that Steve Laug is, that's for certain, but I don't see how you could get away with removing the finish without affecting the stain when using a chemical like acetone. As for the micro mesh, no idea.

Maybe just take a step back, and see if you can alter your way of smoking those particular pipes? I have a Neerup and a Bjarne with a hard clear finish, and have never felt either of them get hot.

**morty58** · 01-09-2013, 02:05

Thanks, I will give it further trys and cross my finger that it works. I did get the Comoy's pipe, and I am waiting for the mailman to deliver it to my door. I really like the looks of the pipe, how is yours smoking? I have several pipes that do not have that clear hard finish and I can smoke quite a few bowls without them getting hot. I noticed that the pipes that have this heavy clear coating consistently smoke hot no matter what I do. But I will try and smoke them slower and not draw as hard, and see what happens.

**Bob** · 01-09-2013, 02:28

You can try soaking in alcohol for a few hours or over night to try and soften the finish, then lightly sand with the micro mesh pads. I think that no matter how you do it you will effect the stain.

**ozark southpaw** · 01-09-2013, 11:40

You may find that part of your "stain" is in that "clear" finish. Sometimes that clear finish is tinted. I wouldn't use Micro Mesh to remove it. It will load up very quickly and will be hard to clean--Micro Mesh can be washed and reused. I use 00 or finer steel wool wetted with alcohol to scrub it off. Once you get it off wipe the bowl down good with alcohol and let dry for a few minutes. You can then sand it to a nice smooth shiny surface with the Micro Mesh. Fiebings leather dye can be used to restain if wanted.
Go lightly around any stampings when stripping and sanding.

**morty58** · 01-09-2013, 15:20

I will take all of your advice. It is the hard clear finish that I believe is not letting the pipe breath, the pipes I have that do not have this finish smoke so well I can smoke the pipe all day, one after an other without getting hot. This is most likely the big debate that many have, is it the briar of said pipe that works out so well or is it the construction, finish, or all of the above? I also believe it does have something to do with the finish of a pipe, besides good construction, and that ace piece of briar. Who knows? When I get brave I will strip off the clear/stain finish, sand it smooth, possibly re-stain. This pipe is new, unsmoked cutty, so I won't use this as my sacrificial lamb, I will pick out another one to try it on or I will buy one cheap from Ebay as a learning tool. Thanks for all of the advice.

**lestrout** · 01-10-2013, 18:58

morty - what brand and model is this pipe?

hp
les

**morty58** · 01-10-2013, 19:25

The brand of this cutty pipe is not clear. I had bought it unsmoked and marked as having an " MM " on it and marked with ITALY. I will post a pic of the pipe. Mind you I have smoked the pipe now. Italian MM Cutty Shaped Pipe Pic.1.jpg Italian MM Cutty Shaped Pipe Pic.2.jpg Italian Cutty Shaped Pipe MM Stem Closeup Pic.7.jpg Italian MM Cutty Shaped Pipe Pic.3.jpg
I do not know how to blow up the photos, maybe Bob can help with this.
It has a very unique stem ( at least to me ) that I would almost call " bite grips ".
Hope this helps out. But I will say that there is some unknowns here because the supposive
" MM " looks different when the pipe is held in a different position.
So hopefully Bob can blow these little pics up for us.
I will find the sellers description of the pipe.

**morty58** · 01-10-2013, 19:32

Pipe details:

Length:5 1/2 inches

Bowl Height:2 inches

Bowl Chamber Height:1 1/2 inches

Outside bowl width:1 3/8 inches

Bowl Width:7/8 inch

Weight:45 grams

Markings info:

Israel

Unsmoked Italian made Cutty shaped pipe. The logo marked on shank looks like "MM".

This pipe is New Old Stock and in UNSMOKED CONDITION.

I cannot find Israel marked on it. The above is the sellers description.