Hookah Disaster

[agentscot]

So, I decided to build a hookah for a Christmas gift this year. I had previously built my own hookah, and used copper for the downstem. Copper isn't that bad, it just requires a lot of cleaning before and after every session. However, the person I am giving the hookah to would not have the patience to clean as much as is required. Thus, i went on a search for alternative materials.
What I found was a chrome plated shower rod from bed bath and beyond. Thinking that the product was intended for use in high humidity locations (showers...) it didn't occur to me that rust would be a factor. In fact, the inside looked like stainless steel.
However, as I was assembling it, I noticed a little bit of rust forming on the inside of the stem. I am past the point of no return to change the material both financially and in terms of construction process.

So, do any of you have any ideas of what to do? I have some old rust spray that I might try coating the inside with, but I don't know if its going to be safe to use on a hookah. Anyone have any other suggestions?
Attached is a picture of my progress.



[attachment=2690:DSCN0704_2.jpg]

The vase is from thehookah.com


edit: spelling error Edited December 20, 2008 by agentscot

[mattarios2]

is it possible to show us a picture of the rust?

Depending on how bad it is will help us decide on how or what needs to be done.

If its a slight rust or more like a tarnish build up there is some cleaners you can use to get rid of it, if it is bubbling rust, well then that is a different story.

So any pics of the rust?

[AKammenzind]

Agreed, pics of the rust would be nice. Also, it's good to keep in mind that 'stainless' isn't really the most appropriate term. Depending on the type and quality of stainless it may rust a bit, but still shouldn't be enough to cause any real problems any time soon... at least not if even basic hookah maintenance is observed (i.e. not leaving water in the base overnight).

[agentscot]

Here are the pics. Sorry, they're kinda blurry.

The rust isn't too bad yet. What scares me is that this happened about half an hour after being exposed to water. I have a feeling that this might get much worse within a few days of use.


[attachment=2691:DSCN0708.jpg]
[attachment=2692:DSCN0716.jpg]

[AKammenzind]

Well, one way to find out. If you've got spare or if you can lop off a bit of that pipe then you could test it and see how badly it rusts. Put it in water for a bit, then take it out and let it airdry, do again and again.

If it rusts a lot then you have a problem... and I'm not entirely sure what you could do to rectify it.