Gun Metal ZenKote!

[Gato del Jugo]

I know! I only got to enjoy it for less than 24 hours before I realized it needed to go back... I did tell them about the finish & noted it on the ticket form. I'm hoping for a new one, the rep said it probably will be. It also threw a "e8" error code on me out of nowhere so yeah, very un provari like.

Back 6 months ago, I was getting all kinds of codes my 1st week on my first-born, like E1, E2, E4 & E8.. Was getting a little nervous that it would have to get sent back in..

But I stretched the end-cap's spring a few times (originally to fix lateral battery wiggle/rattle), and that for whatever reason stopped that nonsense.. I haven't gotten out-of-the-blue error codes ever since...

 

[Gato del Jugo]

Another thing I noticed was the finish in places had black streaks which refused to budge, as if they were part of the finish itself. Has anyone else noticed any of this on their gunmetal? I noticed it got even worse and more pronounced in different places when I tried rubbing out fingerprints with a dry soft cloth. Definitely wasn't expecting that from what was supposed to be a super durable finish, seems like it couldn't even handle a cotton rag.

I meant to ask..

Did you take pics of this? If so, please post!


Sounds like you just got a "LemonKote," as opposed to a ZenKote.. It's not an easy process, and there's a large percentage of rejections, which is why they're more expensive.. Apparently yours happened to sneak by...

When they're done right, though, they are pretty hawt..

 

[Bklynzfinest]

I didn't take pics -- I should have ! Yep I know it was just one of those things.. can't wait to get the replacement! despite it's issues it's still my fave in my collection. Glad I went with the blue LED last minute, was going to get green but the blue works so perfectly.

 

[Done Deal DR]

I ordered a Mini in gunmetal zenkote with blue LED this morning to replace a satin black full size v2 blue LED I lost last weekend.

I'm normally really careful but it slipped out of my dress pants as I was leaving a cab in Vegas and I didn't realize it until 30 seconds later. After calling several cab companies and even trying to get the cab number from our hotel security we were dropped off at (unsuccessfully), I had to concede that it was a lost cause. The weirdest part was the security, they stated that their footage only lasts 5 minutes. Like... what? I'm pretty sure they just wanted to get rid of me, I mean, if a murder happens and security can't get to the footage in 5 minutes, it's gone? I find that hard to believe, what are they running the entire hotel on a 500gb drive? Amateur hour at Caesars Palace apparently. Luckily I had my backup Chrome V2.

Well in any event, crappy circumstances and all, happy to be joining you guys (and gals!) in the gunmetal zenkote club.

 

[Gato del Jugo]

I ordered a Mini in gunmetal zenkote with blue LED this morning to replace a satin black full size v2 blue LED I lost last weekend.

I'm normally really careful but it slipped out of my dress pants as I was leaving a cab in Vegas and I didn't realize it until 30 seconds later. After calling several cab companies and even trying to get the cab number from our hotel security we were dropped off at (unsuccessfully), I had to concede that it was a lost cause. The weirdest part was the security, they stated that their footage only lasts 5 minutes. Like... what? I'm pretty sure they just wanted to get rid of me, I mean, if a murder happens and security can't get to the footage in 5 minutes, it's gone? I find that hard to believe, what are they running the entire hotel on a 500gb drive? Amateur hour at Caesars Palace apparently. Luckily I had my backup Chrome V2.

Well in any event, crappy circumstances and all, happy to be joining you guys (and gals!) in the gunmetal zenkote club.

The gun metal & blue looks to be an excellent replacement for the black & blue..

Bummer it had to happen that way, though..


Only real reason why I haven't gotten one yet (aside from cost) is that I aready have a black & blue!


Anyway, was reading your thread in your signature.. You might want to start a new thread here at the ProVape sub-forum asking about refinishing your V2.. I believe there's a guy out there (not related to ProVape) who does this for a living & a couple people here have been happy with his work...

 

[DPLongo22]

Back 6 months ago, I was getting all kinds of codes my 1st week on my first-born, like E1, E2, E4 & E8.. Was getting a little nervous that it would have to get sent back in..

But I stretched the end-cap's spring a few times (originally to fix lateral battery wiggle/rattle), and that for whatever reason stopped that nonsense.. I haven't gotten out-of-the-blue error codes ever since...

For whatever it's worth, I lightly stretch my springs with each cleaning (approx. every two weeks, per device). We've got four of them in the household, all running flawlessly for, jeez, I guess about 2.5 years now.

I believe it was Baditude who first made that recommendation (that I saw, at least), so very long ago. The advice, needless to say, was sound.

 

[Train2]

Me too - though not so systematically.
I can TELL when my spring is getting compressed - the button gets a very slightly different feel to it. Kinda "bouncy". It's hard to explain, but the bottom line is that I can tell when it needs a little pull. Just be careful, because when you pull one OUT by accident - especially from an extended cap - it is a P.I.T.A. to get it seated properly again.
I'd kind of like to see an improvement to the connecting spring in a P3...

For whatever it's worth, I lightly stretch my springs with each cleaning (approx. every two weeks, per device). We've got four of them in the household, all running flawlessly for, jeez, I guess about 2.5 years now.

I believe it was Baditude who first made that recommendation (that I saw, at least), so very long ago. The advice, needless to say, was sound.

 

[DPLongo22]

Me too - though not so systematically.
I can TELL when my spring is getting compressed - the button gets a very slightly different feel to it. Kinda "bouncy". It's hard to explain, but the bottom line is that I can tell when it needs a little pull. Just be careful, because when you pull one OUT by accident - especially from an extended cap - it is a P.I.T.A. to get it seated properly again.
I'd kind of like to see an improvement to the connecting spring in a P3...

Ah yes, Mr. Choo-choo-too; undoubtedly so. But I picked up a little "sumpin" from the PBusardo Provape video (when they announced the V3). Did you notice how they were putting the springs in (spin them in with a needle-nose pliers)? Well... IT FRICKIN' WORKS!!!!!!!!

Amazingly enough, I've only mangled one spring in 2-plus years. But at least now I no longer stress over it.

 

[Train2]

That is how I did it - but it's not always a smooth process.
It can take a bunch of attempts to get it "caught" in the groove...

Coincidentally, when I first removed a spring, it fell out, bounced, and utterly disappeared. I spent an HOUR crawling around my floor looking for it - then ordered one from ProVape. Found it later, so I have a spare.
What's FUNNY is I somehow put another one in my "cart" and left it there. So now, about once a week, I get an email from ProVape asking me if I want to complete my transaction and order the danged spring I left in my cart. It's like they REALLY want that $0.95.
I want to reply to the email that I'll complete my transaction for a spring if they'll toss in a P3.

Ah yes, Mr. Choo-choo-too; undoubtedly so. But I picked up a little "sumpin" from the PBusardo Provape video (when they announced the V3). Did you notice how they were putting the springs in (spin them in with a needle-nose pliers)? Well... IT FRICKIN' WORKS!!!!!!!!

Amazingly enough, I've only mangled one spring in 2-plus years. But at least now I no longer stress over it.

 

[DPLongo22]

That is how I did it - but it's not always a smooth process.
It can take a bunch of attempts to get it "caught" in the groove...

Coincidentally, when I first removed a spring, it fell out, bounced, and utterly disappeared. I spent an HOUR crawling around my floor looking for it - then ordered one from ProVape. Found it later, so I have a spare.
What's FUNNY is I somehow put another one in my "cart" and left it there. So now, about once a week, I get an email from ProVape asking me if I want to complete my transaction and order the danged spring I left in my cart. It's like they REALLY want that $0.95.
I want to reply to the email that I'll complete my transaction for a spring if they'll toss in a P3.

LMAO! It's worth a shot. ;-)

 

[Gato del Jugo]

That is how I did it - but it's not always a smooth process.
It can take a bunch of attempts to get it "caught" in the groove...

Given that the guy in the video probably does it 100+ times a day, 5 days a week, I'm sure he makes it look easy..

 

[FogArtist]

Glad most everyone seems to be enjoying their GMZKs. Mine arrived last week while I was out of town. Pulled it out of the box, OMG, beautiful. Exactly what I hoped it would be.

Then I dropped in a battery. Oh no. The blue LED I ordered? Not there. Red instead. Cr*p.

And then, it hit me. Of all the vendors I've dealt with, nobody has even come close to ProVape's customer support. So today I'll send an email without a worry they'll sort it out for me. This GMZK is actually a replacement for a SS that was bought by my better half for a major birthday (The "Over the Hill" one LOL). Total surprise, I had barely mentioned the thought of ever owning one to her. I was torn on even swapping it at all, but she insisted I get the color I wanted. To me these ZK editions are special, the end of an era of sorts. Fitting in a number of ways for me.

So I contacted ProVape, and ended up working with Kim in their support department. I ordered the replacement, and returned the SS Mini kit I was given. Kim was incredibly accommodating, so nice about everything and very willing to walk me through the exchange process. Just a fantastic, amazing experience from her and a support team that from the accounts I've seen really seems to value their customers.

Meanwhile I'm in the middle of a week long email debate with another company about replacement of my "Cana" mod that's dead as a doornail after 3 weeks of use. Despite tons of issues with the early batches they're apparently going to wage a war of attrition with me until the end. Obviously had I known one of these was in my future I would have passed on that purchase, even though I think it's going to be a really good device once they get it sorted. I try to buy original when I can, but like a lot of folks it's not in line with my economic reality.

So I have a bunch of pics, but I'm still yet to fire up my GMZK. But I know things will end well. I'm very blessed to have my wonderful fiancee and the folks at ProVape involved here. And every time I use it I'll think of her generosity and thoughtfulness and their understanding and kindness.

Restart the clock! As for you all, well, thanks for letting me ramble, and of course, vape on!

 

[secutorum]

My GMZK is a week old today. I too had to have the blue LED; it just compliments the finish so darn well. While the ZenKote finish holds a lot of fingerprints, the darker color makes them impossible to see from more than 6 inches away. Well, for anyone else to see I should say. I can see them a mile off... To keep my baby clean, I carry around a microfiber cloth in my vape kit to wipe it down every few hours.

It's performed flawlessly. Except for my PT2s, every tank I've popped on has worked like a charm. I've got some new Aero bases for the PT2s ordered which will fix the tight draw/have to unscrew them til they wobble problem.

Best purchase I've made. Although now, Mrs Secutorum thinks that at home, this is her APV. We carpool to work, and we sat in front of my place of employment this morning while she happily vaped away on my GMZK for FIVE WHOLE MINUTES!

I just have to figure out what color she wants....

 

[Gato del Jugo]

What I'm saying is, if some golds in a batch are rejected for color irregularities from the ZenKote process, it's not like they have to send them off as blems to Clearance because of that..

Instead, they save them for the gun metal batch, since all ZenKotes start off as gold, anyway.. Thereby, bringing down the price of gun metal lower than gold..


Just my interpretation of the manufacturing process & price differential, anyway...

There goes that theory..

Gold with extension cap got dropped down to $199.95

Gun metal now costs $19.95 more for the equivalent.. Which makes more sense...


I swear they read these threads..

 

[Moonbogg]

Someone mentioned a problem with the finish. I thought the same thing at first, but when first handling the device, the oil from the fingers soaks into the finish, making it appear like its a streak. You can clean it off, but I have a better solution. My finish looks best after handling for a good day or so. It gets loaded with hand oils and it has this nice uniform shiny appearance to it now. Nice and smooth! I like it greasy all over, and that's my solution. Just let it soak in baby.

 

[Done Deal DR]

I got the gunmetal Zenkote Mini in today a couple hours ago. It really is a striking finish, it almost reminds me of a grayish-tinted black chrome, but obviously the process behind it is different. I really hope the finish holds up better to daily pocket abuse that my satin black did, although I've definitely seen ProVari finishes in worse shape online than my old (now lost) one did. My chrome finish V2 has tons of very fine scratches, but from more than a foot or two out they are impossible to see, hopefully this is the same.

The mini size is great, in 18490 extension mode it's just a bit shorter than a full size ProVari, but in mini 18350 mode it's appreciably shorter and lighter. I greatly prefer the Mini's dimples to my chrome V2's vertical lines. Even though both finishes are very smooth, the Mini provides more gripping traction, though it's not like I was dropping the V2's. The biggest upgrade is the ability to use the trim rings and flush tanks with the updated top cap, which makes for a much cleaner appearance although I still wish they just made a flat top cap anyways. The market has really gone away from the thinner sized tanks, I never see anyone running atomizer setups of that size on a ProVari anymore so it just seems like they should do away with it entirely or at least make it an option. Maybe on the P3/V3 they will wise up. The display also seems a tad sharper on this new model.

Overall, very happy to be a 2 ProVari owner again with a proper backup.

 

[lgustavus81]

Got my Gunmetal in transport right now! should be here either Monday or tuesday!

sent from my damned S4!

 

[Moonbogg]

I've come to the solid conclusion that this thing isn't black. It's straight up blue.

 

[lgustavus81]

Blueish grey still dig mine!

sent from my damned S4!

 

[Moonbogg]

Funny. At the moment, it is perfectly gunmetal gray. Does it change color and they just didn't tell us?