Is this your first reo or an addition?? As others have said, the copper vein does require a good bit more work to keep it really nice! E101z has a great video showing how he did his.
@ed101z I have this vid link, is this still how you do it, or have you come up with a better way?
https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/threads/clear-coating-your-reo-grand-and-removing-it.660082/
I was also going to suggest solid body and SL door if you aren't certain, particularly with copper vein (CV), the door would be easier to deal with the clear coating. If you get a coordinating color
mod and CV door then you can see if the protecting of it is something that you want to keep up with. If you do, and if you like the SL, then later you can get a CV SL
mod, with door that coordinates with first mod, and interchange them to your heart's delight. That's what I've been thinking about. I have a black wrinkle mini, and at some point will get a CV SL door for it. Maybe even a kawa green SL door too, that looks super sharp!
If this is your first reo, welcome to the family!! Lots of great info here, and plenty of super helpful folks to answer any and all questions!
Yes, that video is outdated. One could still do it, but I recommend not using the Rustoleum Clear Coat method. The Rustoleum will protect the paint really well; but however, one tiny little bump against the counter while grabbing a drink will crack the enamel. It won't hurt the Paint job at all, but you'll see a hair-line crack that will remind you of a crack on a hard boiled egg. This little crack in the enamel will drive ya crazy (or it did me).
I recommend using the ProtectaClear. It's fairly easy to put on; take off, ...and you can use it on your Atomizer, and Button Cover as well. Yes, I used it on my Brass RM2 and Brass Buton Cover, and they both still look like shiny 24k Gold well over 2 months of use. I don't have to deal with Patina at all.
There is a trick to using ProtectaClear though. It's a thin liquid, and can be difficult to spray since it's not your typical spray paint. But however, once it dries, it's very strong and durable. I plan on putting together some videos to illustrate the coatings I did to my Brass RM2 and Button Cover. I need someone to hold the video camera as I illustrate, but that seems hard to come by.
BTW, the ProtectaClear can be removed - which will allow the Patina to come back, ...or you can keep the shiny 24k Gold look. I personally like the 24k Gold look.
I did spray the ProtectaClear on my Copper Vein, and Black Wrinkle. I disassembled the Reo's
(took the spring out; removed the delrin fire button; taped the door; put small paper-towel balls in the 510; and spring screw hole - as shown in the pictures) , and did have a few problems coating them (thick in some areas, and thin in others), but was able to use the Xylene to remove it. I just poured the Xylene in a container big enough to submerge my Reo's in, and only left them in the Xylene for about 2 minutes at a time. While submerged, I lifted them up and down while brushing them softly with a Natural Bristle brush. After a few minutes, the ProtectaClear coating was gone, and I immediately washed them with Dawn and warm water. Then, re-sprayed them with 2 coats.
After all that, I learned one thing about using ProtectaClear. That is... you want to spray it on thicker than you do normal spray paint, and hold it at a sharp angle for 5 minutes while keeping a paper towel on the corner to let the excess absord and run into it. This will eliminate thick areas from forming, and allow it to smooth properly, and dry evenly.
Overall, the ProtectaClear worked great, and still looks awesome on both my Reo's; Brass RM2, and Brass Button cover. You can use it on other items such as jewelry if you want.