Pipe Mud - The Photo Essay

[Emperor Zurg]

Dammit, I don't have one of those little bird toothpick dispensers. I'll never be able to make proper mud till I get one.

I've done this mud thing but I used a few drops of 40 proof rum for liquid figuring there was sufficient water, the alcohol would flash off quickly and the molasses in the rum would help glue things together. Don't know if it was any better than spit or water but it seems to be holding up. First time I got a little carried away with the rum (and I put too much in the cigar ash too) so mine was a little more liquid than the photo so I applied layers, letting it dry somewhat between applications. Next time I did it I used what didn't look like nearly enough liquid but the subsequent mixing seemed to bring up the liquid similar to the way cream rises on concrete when you work it with a trowel.

I also found that when it's mostly dry you can 'sand' it by rubbing it with your finger. Just rub vertically on the walls and twist back and forth to 'sand' the heel. You need to trim your fingernails back first tho...