Removing Hard Clear Finish

**Arkie_** · 01-15-2013, 20:46

I've stripped varnish off a couple of pipes but I'm no expert. I couldn't tell much difference between using fine sandpaper/steel wool and a solvent such as acetone or MEK. I found that the pipe will have to be restained regardless of how the varnish is stripped. As others has already said, leather dye such as Fiebings works well. Coat the piipe with dye, hold the stummel by sticking a steel rod or rigid wire up the shank and set the dye on fire. If it isn't dark enough repeat the process. When you rub it with wax and/or polish it, it will lighten the stain a bit. Most importantly, show us pics of the finished project.

**morty58** · 01-15-2013, 21:20

Thanks Arkie. I bought some acetone and steel wool yesterday, already have a good batch of micro mesh on hand. Just need to get the dye and pick the sacraficial lamb pipe. I will let you know how it goes once I get started. Thank you all again for the great help and encouragement.

**morty58** · 01-17-2013, 20:33

Started to get to work on the Hilson Pipe that has the hard white finish on it. Hilson Virgin DE LUXE Rhodesian Pipe #224F Pic.1.jpg I had first soaked it overnight in ISO 99%. Surprisingly this did not even soften the finish on it. I then took acetone to it, scrubbing it down with pads soaked in the acetone. After 30 min. of getting nowhere fast doing this I resorted to 100grit sandpaper that did start to get alot of the hard white finish off. The fills were becoming noticable at this time, and boy there was alot of them. White Hilson Pipe Pic.3.jpg Then I used 150 grit sandpaper that got rid of the rest of the white paint, with the fills even more prominent. White Hilson Pipe Pic.2.jpg Then I used 220 grit then 400 grit that started to show some of the grain and smoothed out the scratches. I finished with 1500 micro mesh dry White Hilson Pipe Pic.1.jpg then I wiped it down again with the acetone, that cleared off all of the dust. Polishing it with a cotton cloth to bring up abit of the shine which is working. I still have not gotten the stain, will buy it soon. The pits and or fills are still glaring at me. Just giving you all an update. Getting there slowly but surely.

**ozark southpaw** · 01-18-2013, 00:04

You have discovered the reason that pipe was painted--fills!! Take just about any of the painted pipes,Grabow,Kaywoodie etc. and strip the paint you will find either lots of fills or lousy grain 99% of the time. The pipe companies didn't want to use their nice wood for painted pipes!. I've stripped a couple of them and then rusticated them because of the number of fills.Here's a Grabow I did a while back. Hint--colored Sharpies can be used to "color" those fills to make them blend in better with the stain you decide to use.

100_5844 (1024x768).jpg Refinished White Viscount 42 2012-04-28 005 (1024x768).jpg

**Arkie_** · 01-18-2013, 01:13

I don't know about white enamel on pipes but I can tell you it is the most difficult paint to remove on furniture. The pigment seems to leach into the pores of the wood and it requires deep sanding.

I had an old varnished basket pipe that had many prominent fills so I stripped the varnish and gave it an ebony finish. I gave it about 6 or 7 coats of black lacquer and then 6 or 7 coats of clear lacquer. I hand rubbed it between coats so it came out very lustrous and I'm pleased with how it looks.

**morty58** · 01-18-2013, 13:48

Yes I now know why they paint them, I also know that I will not buy painted pipes any longer. I was expecting the fills to glow in the dark. LoL Sharpies, good hint Thanks. Now I will have to learn to rusticate a pipe. It makes me wonder what is under the new Pete I got awhile ago. It has that hard finish on it also, the older Petes don't have this on them thankfully. I am not sure what color stain I will get yet. I am curious to know what the fills are made of ?

**Bob** · 01-18-2013, 13:56

I think they use the briar dust and glue to make a putty for the fills. That is a trick I was taught when in shop class as a youngster.

"I ask, Sir, What is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."
George Mason Co-author 2nd Amendment. .

**morty58** · 01-18-2013, 15:49

Interesting, thanks Bob. Cheap you know whats.
I love the quote from George Mason about the 2nd Amendment.

**ozark southpaw** · 01-18-2013, 16:44

Can't say what other companies used for filler material but Grabow used "Red Devil" filler mixed with an epoxy. Got that info from a gent who retired as president and COO of the company.Briar dust and glue will work but it doesn't accept a stain very well in my experience.

**morty58** · 01-18-2013, 20:17

I have never heard of " Red Devil " filler, is it available to buy? Helps to have friends in high places. LOL. The amount of the white hard stain was a surprise to me, no wonder the pipe got hot as hell after a couple of puffs. Like I said, I will not buy any pipes with that kind of finish anymore. I do believe that a pipe needs to be able to breath abit, and the white pipe was literally choked off.