Burnout / Dark Spot - hide with dark stain, rusticate it?

[Trroutman22]

To cut to the chase, antique store find, decent pipe but the previous owner thought that reaming a pipe was a porn move. After I cleaned it up and removed the 1/2" of cake, I see that I need to add some pipe mud to one spot that is fissured pretty bad and the result is a dark spot on the outer bowl. What is the best way to cover this unsightly mark so I don't have to look at it. The current stain is a light brown so I thought maybe switching it to a dark stain may work or I could try my hand at rusticating the area but don't want to weaken it any further.

Looking for some ideas.

[Pugsley]

A dark stain might do the trick, although you'd probably have to dye it black to completely hide it. Rustication is probably not a good idea. If it's that dark and noticeable then it's probably weakened at that spot and you could end up with a porthole in the side of the bowl if you start chipping at it.

[Branzig]

Here's what ya need:

http://www.amazon.com/Fiebings-Leath.../dp/B004L5R1DY

Ditto on not rusticating it. I would be worried about busting through the burnout spot.

[LandonColby]

If it's so deep that there is a fear of busting through, even if taking a measly 8th of an inch off from rusticating, I'd be questioning the value in keeping/using the pipe at all. I've never experienced it before so I don't know, but I'd be more inclined to toss it if it's THAT bad.

Have any pics?

[Nachman]

The pipe is doomed if it is showing burn through. One of these days, you will be smoking it and it will get super hot and finish the meltdown. I would do an autopsy and find out if it was a void in the briar that caused the burnout or just someone's bad technique. Sorry to be a doomsayer.

[Mister Moo]

Nothing to lose.

Scrape the lose stuff out of the chamber, wipe it clean, mud it properly; wait 24-48 hours, sand the mud smooth and smoke gently a couple of times. If the mud holds for a few dozen smokes (I've never had it fail) worry about refinishing the pipe next year. Not a rustication candidate if successful.

I bought a new MM General on vacation and smoked the heck out of it on the beach and porch, constant breeze pretty much. A few weeks later it gutted, turned a large dark brown spot and burned my fingers; mudded now and five years later, I smoke it every week.

[NeverBend]

Nothing to lose.

Scrape the lose stuff out of the chamber, wipe it clean, mud it properly; wait 24-48 hours, sand the mud smooth and smoke gently a couple of times. If the mud holds for a few dozen smokes (I've never had it fail) worry about refinishing the pipe next year. Not a rustication candidate if successful.

I bought a new MM General on vacation and smoked the heck out of it on the beach and porch, constant breeze pretty much. A few weeks later it gutted, turned a large dark brown spot and burned my fingers; mudded now and five years later, I smoke it every week.

Dan is dead on.

The problem with staining this pipes is that to do it correctly you'd need to sand it (the whole pipe so that it readily accepts the stain), background stain (black), sand it again, stain it with your dark color, sand smooth and finish. You'll still remove precious briar around the burn.

Best of luck.

[Mister Moo]

Dan is dead on.

This happens so seldom. I quiver.

You'll still remove precious briar....

If the mud holds then I guess you could bleach the wood; I know it's done but I've never tried it. Somebody here has, surely!

[Trroutman22]

Good info and thank you so much for the replies. I reamed and sanded down the inner bowl and I do not see any burn or cracks where the spot is. I was a bit hasty in my initial cleanup and getting it down to bare wood revealed good wood. I think Nach called it - poor technique. I am going to just smoke it gently and develop some cake or maybe apply a thin coat of mud. After reading the rustication remarks I think I will just sand the out er bowl and stain it black. No worries as it is just a beater for around the yard. No pictures, sorry my camera is out of batteries.

[NeverBend]

This happens so seldom. I quiver.

If the mud holds then I guess you could bleach the wood; I know it's done but I've never tried it. Somebody here has, surely!

Hi Dan,

Yes, or you could use alcohol that will dilute the old stain (can't remove it entirely). It's just me but I'd follow your instructions (previous) and not worry about the finish).