Thread: Cleaning a (glass) pipe.

Here here
and the salt acts as a mechanical cleaner when you shake it so you need very little pipe cleaner action.

When I clean my pipe, all I do is put it in a pot on the stove with some water and let the sucker boil for a little while. It's easy and works like a charm!

Originally Posted by Backpacker420

When I clean my pipe, all I do is put it in a pot on the stove with some water and let the sucker boil for a little while. It's easy and works like a charm!

I thought it was unsafe to do that, since glass can break in hot water.

I have boiled mine out plenty of times. You just have to put it in while water is cool and let the glass heat as the water does. If you start the boiling process before you add the "glass" then chances are it'll shatter.

I will put the piece to be cleaned in the freezer. Once chilled, I will use an extended bobby pin with the plastic removed and scrape away. I then shake rattle and roll the resin onto wax paper. If you have to handle it ash will keep it from sticking. Depending on how resinated the piece is, depends on the repetition of this cycle. Once clean I will use denture cleaner and pipe cleaner. I also use alcohol to clean my tools and resin on the fingers and stuff. You must be careful as frozen glass can break. I've been very blessed...no broken pieces yet...knock on wood!

I will also use my breath to warm up the piece in some instances. I prefer bobby pins because they don't break the glass yet bend little. If I need to I use a paper clip. I also chose pieces that are easy to clean, not that look cool.

Now...to figure out what to do with the resin...

put it in some tonic water and some resin will come out but u can tap the mouth piece on ur hand and will pull all the resin to the front and then u can take a paper clip and pull the resin out.

Thanks for the tip - that would be a lot cheaper than the stuff we've been buying at the shop, although that works well too.

Originally Posted by nite24

rubbing alcohol and salt ftw. its the easiest and cheapest way IMO.
everyone has rubbing alc and salt

AGREED!!!

THE EASY, SIMPLE AND COST EFFICIENT WAY TO CLEAN A GLASS PIECE:

MATERIALS:
- SALT
- RUBBING ALCOHOL (FIRST AID SECTIONS OF DRUG STORES JUST A FEW BUCKS)
- HOT WATER
- SPONGE OR WASHCLOTH
- QTIPS - OPTIONAL

STEP 1.
AT SINK OR IN BATH TUB FILL PIECE ALL THE WAY WITH HOT WATER.

STEP 2.
EMPTY PIECE OUT.

STEP 3.
POUR RUBBING ALCOHOL IN PIECE. START WITH A SMALLER AMOUNT, YOU CAN ALWAYS ADD MORE.
POUR SALT IN PIECE. AGAIN, START WITH A SMALLER AMOUNT, YOU CAN ALWAYS ADD MORE.
1 TABLESPOON SALT TO 1 SHOT GLASS OF ALCOHOL IS A GOOD RATIO TO START WITH. BUT EXPERIMENT AS YOU WOULD LIKE.

STEP 4.
COVER ALL HOLES ON PIECE. (CARB, DOWN STEM, MOUTHPIECE. ECT.)
SHAKE PIECE.
BE CAREFUL TO HOLD ON TO PIECE. MAKE SURE ALL SURFACES ARE BEING TOCHED WITH THE SALT/ALCOHOL COMBO. IF NEEDED ADD MORE OF EITHER SALT, OR ALCOHOL.
AS YOU SHAKE THE PIECE THE COMBO WORKS TO REMOVE DIRTINESS.


STEP 5.
REPEAT STEP 2.

STEP 6.
INSPECT PIECE. NOT SATISFIED?
SIMPLY REPEAT STEP 3 AND 4.
WHEN PIECE IS CLEAN ENOUGH FOR YOU. PROCEED TO STEP 7.

STEP 7.
RINSE PIECE WITH HOT WATER AND PRESTO. A CLEAN PIECE.

STEP 8.
USE SPONGE OR WASHCLOTH AND APPLY SOME RUBBING ALCOHOL AND SPRINKLE ON SOME SALT. USE THIS TO CLEAN THE AREA WHERE YOU DUMPED THE DIRTY WATER.

CHEERS.
HOPE THIS HELPS.