Can Lack Of Cleaning Ruin A Hooka?

[MikessekiM]

I lent my hooka to my buddies for almost the entire school year last year. I knew this was a bad idea, but I did it anyway. They didn't clean it once, never changed the water, and just overall didn't treat it with respect. I got it back and it has been sitting in my basement untouched and filthy. I am about to go back to school next week and I want to take it. However it is going to need a serious cleaning. My question is this, can I resurrect this thing? I plan to run water through the hose till it runs clear, then hang it straight up and let it drip dry (I know this is usually a no go, but I did it before without any problems). Next I plan to soak the stem in hot water, lemon juice, and baking soda. Then I plan to go at it with a metal brush, hopefully scrapping off all the grime and resin. As for the base, just plan to run it in the dish washer...Any suggestions before hand? Do you think I can bring this hookah back to life? Or is there something I am missing that might mark the death of my hookah? Thanks for any input guys...

[rhineholt]

It's possible...
I'd definately get a stem brush to get all the gunk out of the stem... if they haven't changed the water at all, i'm sure there's a bunch of rust.... although i find it hard to believe they NEVER changed the water.
just keep cleaning. get a new hose. its shot.
but then again... maybe it's at the point where you should just get a new one.. Edited August 17, 2010 by rhineholt

[Mikefu]

None of them got sick? I can't imagine the little sea monkeys that were playing and growing in that water. That would be like sucking smoke through a three week old puddle in the street of a third world country. You may be able to salvage it, but you'll have to inspect it all, give it a good cleaning and re inspect. If it is good metal, like legit stainless, copper, brass, etc, you can't really destroy a stem by just leaving it wet. It'll get ugly, but won't break down. It may be rusty if low grade steel was used. Check that out. New hose is needed for sure. Remember those sea monkeys? Probably in the hose too. Bottom line, clean, inspect, and if it looks sketchy get a new one, if you are on a tight budget id say get a cheap mya. Good luck!

[MikessekiM]

[quote name='Mikefu' date='17 August 2010 - 01:20 AM' timestamp='1282022450' post='479244']
None of them got sick? I can't imagine the little sea monkeys that were playing and growing in that water. That would be like sucking smoke through a three week old puddle in the street of a third world country.   You may be able to salvage it, but you'll have to inspect it all, give it a good cleaning and re inspect. If it is good metal, like legit stainless, copper, brass, etc, you can't really destroy a stem by just leaving it wet. It'll get ugly, but won't break down. It may be rusty if low grade steel was used. Check that out. New hose is needed for sure. Remember those sea monkeys? Probably in the hose too.   Bottom line, clean, inspect, and if it looks sketchy get a new one, if you are on a tight budget id say get a cheap mya.  Good luck!
[/quote]

By initial inspection I can see minor rust, not alot, just a few little spots...can this be cleared up with some metal brush action?

[Mikefu]

Maybe, depending on how deep it goes. See what happens after you brush the heck out of it. If it comes off, it was just surface rust and you should be ok. Hope it is salvageable.

[IainUM]

how can people do that to an innocent hookah? i change water every single session unless it is back to back

[antouwan]

[quote name='MikessekiM' date='17 August 2010 - 12:34 AM' timestamp='1282023269' post='479246']
[quote name='Mikefu' date='17 August 2010 - 01:20 AM' timestamp='1282022450' post='479244']
None of them got sick? I can't imagine the little sea monkeys that were playing and growing in that water. That would be like sucking smoke through a three week old puddle in the street of a third world country. You may be able to salvage it, but you'll have to inspect it all, give it a good cleaning and re inspect. If it is good metal, like legit stainless, copper, brass, etc, you can't really destroy a stem by just leaving it wet. It'll get ugly, but won't break down. It may be rusty if low grade steel was used. Check that out. New hose is needed for sure. Remember those sea monkeys? Probably in the hose too. Bottom line, clean, inspect, and if it looks sketchy get a new one, if you are on a tight budget id say get a cheap mya. Good luck!
[/quote]

By initial inspection I can see [b]minor rust, not a lot, just a few little spots[/b]...can this be cleared up with some metal brush action?
[/quote]

bar keepers friend. that will get rid of rust and clean ANYTHING. should be able to get it at a local grocery store for a few bucks.

definitely get a stem brush after that.

if they never or barely changed the water there's likely to be some build up in the bottom. i would go after it with some hard water remover like clr or something and then run it in the dishwasher and rinse some more.

make sure to get a small brush (like a pipe cleaner or something) and clean out the pipes that run from the hose port and the purge.

DEFINITELY get a new hose. there's no way around that. i would probably also get a new head - i'm just like that.

reference this video by codename for additional guidance (it's for KM's but you can use this technique on any hookah): [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25Al9YLMKnQ"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25Al9YLMKnQ[/url]

best of luck. you should be able to resurrect it. i completely resurrected a buddy of mine's hookah that he neglected for over a year. new gaskets, new base, new head, new hose, swapped the ball bearing (it was rusted shut) for a plastic bb, and new tray. by the time i was done it was practically a new hookah...point is, with some work it should be doable.

[mushrat]

Your plan sounds good. Only put it in the dishwasher if there is nothing painted on the vase. sounds dumb I know to have to mention that but you'd be surprised.

[Josh Hamilton]

+1 bkf c/o antouwan....Ive used that to restore this $10 egyptian that seemed like it was never cared for (except the base was in pristine condition just needed some rinsing) so much green goo was in there which was layers thick...I thought I had to keep brushing for a week...turns out I shouldve just plugged it up and filled it with bkf/water to soften the hardened goo....in hindsight I think vinegar would have worked too

[Cp44]

stuff will crust over in the pipes which are a pain to clean. You will need a new hose and clean everything else thoroughly if it hasnt rusted.

[A13lackFish]

it will cause rust to form on the air valve with the ball bearing, you cant really harm the base unless you drop it though it will get a glazed smoke look if its clear if it is uncleaned.
The stem itself may have grime that wont come off with a simple brush if you leave it too long, the bowl cannot be harmed again unless you drop it though if you used it and some of the shisha heated to the bowl and you havent cleaned it it can be a bitch to get off.
Hose is pretty harmless unless you have a non washable one connected to the hookah. In that case there is a possibility of rust within the hookah hose forming.

[ntur]

i would use some realy fine steel wool on the stem instead of a metal brush. the steel wool wont scratch it if you get the really fine one. and tie a little bit to a string and pull it through the stem. itll get rid of the rust if you do it enough. good luck man.