HELP with a neglected AFS!

[cypresss]

I received my AFS, purchased 2nd hand (not from C9 or VK) and found that it was in pretty bad shape. I've read the forums about cleaning and such, but pretty much everything deals with maintenance and aesthetics. THIS is an entirely different situation. I don't feel comfortable vaping anything out of this until I get it clean.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=10028&stc=1&d=1276310876

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=10027&stc=1&d=1276310773

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=10030&stc=1&d=1276311213

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=10029&stc=1&d=1276310987

Hopefully the pictures will load, because I need some suggestions on how to revive my poor AFS. The build-up of grime, tarnish and other soily bits has really got me down. I've tried everything I know so I'm reaching out to the pro's and I'm looking for ideas to get this thing usable again. My AFS and I need HELP!

 

[mwa102464]

Thats in bad shape but could be cleaned up, Soak your tank and all parts then take some Flitz paste and buff buff buff, it will look like new accept for the worn edges on your cap, get some new Orings from Rob and throw em on, that AFS will work and look fine in my opinion

 

[harpo]

Steel wool will work as well.

 

[Stormynights]

I agree. A good cleaning and then a good washing and it should be good to go.

 

[Wafflestomper]

Mine got gunky as well, I got a good nail brush, soaked in dishsoap and scrubbed scrubbed scrubbed. Steel wool will work better. I also soaked mine in vodka for a bit just to get all the contaminants off as well.

 

[cypresss]

Haven't used flitz before. Where do you get it? At an auto parts place or hardware store?

 

[harpo]

I had one that looked just like yours and steel wool worked great with little effort.

 

[Wafflestomper]

I found this Flitz

I wonder, has anyone tried that fizzy denture cleaner before?

 

[cypresss]

Yeah waffle, I already tried the denture cleaner after boiling...no dice. This stuff is hardened on there.

 

[vapn]

If you use any type of cleaning solvent BE SURE to wash it with soap and water afterwords to avoid vaping any chemicals. I feel for ya cause I got one second hand in about the same shape. Took me almost an hour to get it usable again. But if you keep using it and don't let it sit around it will work fine for ya. What are you going to do about atties for that model? Cartomizers will work pretty good for ya if you are able to drill holes in em.

BEFORE:

AFTER a lot of scrubbing with a Scottch-brite pad and soap and water. (The green scrubby thing for doing dishes):

 

[cypresss]

Cartomizers are going to be my go-to. May get some iattys, but have to have a back-up plan

 

[cypresss]

Thats in bad shape but could be cleaned up, Soak your tank and all parts then take some Flitz paste and buff buff buff, it will look like new accept for the worn edges on your cap, get some new Orings from Rob and throw em on, that AFS will work and look fine in my opinion

I checked VK site and I only found replacement o-rings for V2, nothing for the original.

 

[wolflrv]

This makes me think that these units are indeed polished steel vs chrome and would actually tarnish, pit and possibly rust like any other basic steel? Is that right? Just trying to understand so I can properly care for it when I get mine? Like would an occasional run on the bench grinder with buffing wheel and some rouge help keep it nice? I already polish my silver jewelry this way about twice a year.

 

[D133]

They are aluminium, Imeo listed the grade used in another thread (I can't recall which) but it is a quality grade. It can look like stainless steel because of the spiral tooling marks (which do not appear on the new V2 AFS).
Personally I put clear tape on mine externally to stop oxidation, others give them a regular polish. No marks on mine after several weeks use, though I got some staining on the aluminium button (e-liquid on my hands probably) which polished out.

 

[wolflrv]

thx for the info D133! I guess I'll keep a dedicated pacific cloth nearby to buff it up then when I refill the tank.

 

[vapn]

They are made of 7075 aluminum. The highest grade aircraft material available. Lighter and stronger than steel. And the tarnish does not happen the longer you use the device, I think from the oils in your hands building up in the pores of the metal. After I cleaned my a few times with cape cod cloths the tarnish never returned. It was only because the material was brand new and not treated with any sealer it began to tarnish.

Now if you leave juice on the surface of aluminum then yes it will also tarnish and turn black quickly. A jewelers polishing cloth is all that is needed to keep the apperance of the GG nice for years. And it seems that every time I clean mine it looks better and better.

 

[wood_510]

I soaked mine in coke for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 weeks to loosen up any grime. You might want to try that. I figured if coke will eat a 16 penny nail overnight it should loosen the grime and it worked nicely for me. Then just give it a shine and go!!! Good luck.

 

[mwa102464]

FLITZ guys FLITZ it really works wonders and is cheap for a whole bottle, wipe it on, polish in and wipe it off, removes all pit and grime and shines AFS and all GG mods to new condition out of the box

 

[D133]

After I cleaned my a few times with cape cod cloths the tarnish never returned.

I just checked out my AFS V2 and there is no marking even on the parts I left exposed, so the clear tape I use is really to stop scratching, I shouldn't have used the word oxidation - I don't see any.
I'll follow your advice re the Cape Cod cloths with my brass GG's, I haven't really given it a chance yet.

 

[cypresss]

Anyone have any ideas about the replacement o-rings for a V1 AFS? Not sure that I need them yet, but I might. I removed all of them and currently have the bare metal pieces soaking in a solution right now. I'll check the rings more closely later, but maybe a good cleaning will do fine for them.