Pipes- to clean or not to clean......

I've used salt along with 91% isopropyl alcohol with good results on estate pipes I've bought. I also use a pipe retort to fully flush the stem and shank. For maintenance, I stick with pipe cleaners moistened with some 151 rum. A pint bottle lasts an incredible length of time when it's only used as pipe cleaner/sweetener.

Wayne

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Originally Posted by currentman

thanks professor, your thoughts are exactly what I was thinking, I dont want to do anything that would damage them, and the salt idea made me nervous.

as to types, I have10 pipes, 4 are low end (a seville, Aldo Velani, Alpha Omega, and a Dr. Grabow)
the other 6 are better, a Comoy Christmas pipe 1995, Peterson system standard 312, Peterson July 4th 1999, and three Nordings, a straight hunter and two free hands

based on what I have, if there is anything other than everclear that I can do safely pleaselet me know, the closest "pipe professional" tome ia about an hour away, and they told me that they are responsible for any damage that may occur:rant:

short of any other proven methods, i think I will get as clean as I can, and then offer them up "as is"

thanks again for your help

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Hello. I am glad that I could help in some way. And I am sorry that I have not been able to write again until this evening. If your pipes need serious attention, let me know and I can suggest someone that can restore the pipes. I also know someone that I deal with that sells pipes on commission, but you certainly should sell the 'lower end' pipes yourself. The gentleman that I deal with pays all fees (eBay and PayPal), takes the photos, as well, and packs and ships the pipes that he sells; he takes a flat 30%. This can be worth it as he has a large clientele. As for your cleaning your pipes yourself, dip a pipe cleaner in a bit of Everclear and put it through the stem repeating the process with new cleaners until the pipe cleaner comes out clean. You can ream the pipe (the inside of the bowl) if you know how being careful to leave some cake and avoiding any digging into the inside of the bowl. You can bend a pipe cleaner, dipped in Everclear, and swipe the inside of the bowl (avoiding all contact with the outside of the bowl); you can also do this on the inside of the shank. If you send the pipes to be restored and send them out to someone to sell, you certainly will lose too much money. The restorer is reasonable, however, and does great work. I know both of these gents from the 'net (not personally), but they are trustworthy. I restore myself (only for my own pipes), but usually send my pipes out for sale to avoid the fees, etcetera. And you should polish the stem and the bowl; I prefer a product called Briar Pipe Wipe (an excellent product that you can purchase for a reasonable cost--usually about US$10). Let me how how you go and good luck. Cheers!

Professor