Staining a Virgin Finish Pipe

Subject: Staining a Virgin Finish Pipe Fri Jun 20, 2008 9:57 pm

I asked Mark Tinsky if he could stain a virgin pipe with the "Terra" finish that
Ardor uses on some of their nicer blasts.He says yes,for about 25$ he can.
So now I am thinking.....to pimp my pipe or not to pimp.That Brown/Gold finish
sure would look nice on that pipe.

Winslow
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"Pipes are occasionally of extraordinary interest," said he. "Nothing has more individuality, save perhaps watches and bootlaces."

Subject: Re: Staining a Virgin Finish Pipe Sat Jun 21, 2008 8:29 am

One question that comes to mind is, without being sealed and waxed-over, how long are the colors you like going to stay those colors (assuming use and the handling that involves) ?

What a Face

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All the old cliches are true.
That's why they're cliches.

Joined : 17 Dec 2007 Posts : 102

My take on staining a virgin finish is not to do so. Over the course of time—my Irish Second took 5 years to attain the following color—by being smoked, the pipe takes on a chestnut color that is lovely, and all the types of grain that are harder to see in the virgin state appear quite nicely in the "smoked" state. I expect its current chestnut color to continue to deepen.
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From Stanley Kubrick's "Dr. Strangelove Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb"

"Mandrake, I enjoy the company of women but do deny them my essence."

Mike

Subject: Re: Staining a Virgin Finish Pipe Mon Jun 23, 2008 7:31 am

I haven't decided whether or not to stain the pipe yet.It's such a good smoker,I'd hate to ruin its looks.I've got another Ardor calabash that I bought as an estate and it was a virgin finish too at one time,now it has that patina you mention and it's not too hard on the eyes.

Winslow
_________________
"Pipes are occasionally of extraordinary interest," said he. "Nothing has more individuality, save perhaps watches and bootlaces."