Quote Originally Posted by Haebar View Post
These stubborn stems still have some faint greenish oxidation near the shank after doing the Oxiclean, magic eraser, sandpaper, polish and Obsidian sequence. They were fairly oxidized beforehand. I actually the repeated the soak for overnight after the first 800 sanding on these. What do you think I'm doing wrong? Oxiclean soak not strong enough? I put a scoop in about 12 ounces of water and stirred it up. On a later batch, I used one scoop in about a liter of water in a long pan for a churchwarden stem (it cleaned up fine). Should I go to something coarser than the 800 sandpaper for the initial sanding?
Don't put the Obsidian Oil on until you are 100% happy with how the stem looks. The Obsidian Oil retards oxidation and provides a protective barrier. So, in essence, when you apply the Obsidian Oil on top the oxidized stem, you are only helping trap the oxidation that is there.

I have used Bar Keeper's Friend with good use. One of the problems is the area that you are dealing with. Those are notoriously hard to remove oxidation from. I would pick up some Bar Keeper's Friend (gold can) and scrub the stems using that and see if you get anywhere using that. Another thing I have used in the past is a tooth brush and tooth paste. A tooth brush and tooth paste is easier to work near the end of the stem and by the button than finishing strips.

When all else fails, up the sand paper grit and hand work your way through it...takes forever but the end result is usually perfect.

Good Luck! Be sure to let us know how it all turns out!