How to keep Kayfun Lite from sticking

[Nonnymonster]

Hi, I recently got a new kayfun Lite and I keep telling people it's the best purchase of my life.

The only thing I don't like about it is that when I am loosening it to replace the wick, tank, etc. my kayfun likes to decide on my behalf which of the closely interlocking parts to unscrew. Sometimes I disagree with my Kayfun, but it usually wins.

I guess I should have used some sort of lubricant, but although I've seen references to such a concept, I haven't seen anyone say what sort of lube would be safe to vape with. Any ideas?

Also, I have a part that is stuck RIGHT NOW that is absolutely killing me. I've tried freezing, soaking in alcohol, and wrapping dental floss around it. I've even tried WD-40 (ick, I know, but not like I can't clean it and replace the wick. I'm desperate.) It looks even, but I worry that it is mis-threaded because the bottom of the Kayfun is actually stuck to the top part of my broken Lambo. What do I do next?

Thanks!

 

[Rob0506]

I've got mine off with a pair of pliers and a rag to prevent scratching. It's a little scary, but a scratched kayfun is better than one that doesn't work. For me it was the chimney, and I didn't end up scratching it.

The only thing I have been able to think of is to lube the threads with a few drips of eliquid. I haven't tried this long enough to know if this is actually helping, but it is something to try.

 

[joeryu]

Try a pair of latex/nitrile gloves. You'd be surprised how much better your grip gets. I find it more effective than using pliers, and you don't have to scratch up your hardware.

 

[Nonnymonster]

OK, success! Thanks guys. I did try gloves and I tried wrapping it with rubber bands and using pliers with no success, but my brother has 2 pairs of much nicer channel-locks and he managed to get it for me. So for anyone who has this problem in the future, I'd suggest that the key is to get better tools (or a better brother).

Re: using e-juice as lube: on the one hand, that sounds like a good idea. On the other hand, I have heard that letting it get dirty makes the problem worse, which makes sense. When it's dirty, the "dirt" is probably mostly just nasty old juice that has accumulated in the threads, right? So it could be the case that juice has a lubricating effect, or it could be the case that juice is making it stickier.

Not taking a stand. Just hopeful that someone will be able to clarify.

 

[Rob0506]

Re: using e-juice as lube: on the one hand, that sounds like a good idea. On the other hand, I have heard that letting it get dirty makes the problem worse, which makes sense. When it's dirty, the "dirt" is probably mostly just nasty old juice that has accumulated in the threads, right? So it could be the case that juice has a lubricating effect, or it could be the case that juice is making it stickier.

Not taking a stand. Just hopeful that someone will be able to clarify.

I have that same question. I'm trying it to see, but haven't formed a conclusion one way or another at this point. I think the secret will be one or the other: either lube the threads with ejuice, or keep the threads absolutely clean and free of ejuice.

 

[PLANofMAN]

Plastic bits? Lubricate with e-juice. Metal bits? I just don't know.

 

[Nonnymonster]

Thanks and love y'all's profile pics. PLANofMAN, I'll take your advice for the plastic; Rob0506 I'm always interested so if/when you decide whether lubricating with juice is a good idea for metal parts, let me know.

I got to wondering whether certain components of e-juice were better or worse lubricants. I'm not sure what exactly is in my flavorings, so it seems to me that it would be reasonable to imagine that flavoring might just gunk stuff up.

Forgive the hasty internet research, but I was curious so I found a list of good molecular properties of a lubricant at something called frettingwear.com:
Lubricant Polarity
A lubricant whose molecules are very polar will have a stronger affinity to the surface it is protecting. Liquids with low molecular polarities generally make poor lubricants.
Lubricant Molecular Shape
Molecular shape determines how many molecules can adsorb onto a surface. The straighter molecules are, the more closely they can pack together on a surface. Branches coming off from the main chain decrease the ability of molecules to pack closely together. The least effective type of molecules are ring shaped.
Solid surface energy
A material with a high surface energy allows molecules to easily adsorb to it. Surface energy correlates with the wettability of a surface, a lubricant that wets a surface better will be better able to lubricate it. In general metals have higher surface energies making them easier to lubricate.


So catch me if I'm wrong (been a while since chemistry class), but it seems like VG is a better lubricant than PG because PG has a nonpolar carbon tail? But that they are both pretty short chains, so a longer molecule would be ideal. Just a thought.

 

[PLANofMAN]

The official instructions from Sovemesto recommend lubricating the threads on the plastic window the first time or two it is used.

 

[JaRod]

What I do is never over tighten anything, these are no pressure devices, O-rings provide more than enough seal without a lot of torque, plastic tends to break if over tighten.
I use aluminum grease for the mods threads, but nothing and I mean nothing besides ejuice in the atomizers. As I matter of fact every time I clean them I submerge them in a drinkable solution with 50% alcohol (AKA Vodka) to keep them as sterile as possible

 

[Sthur]

You needed a strap wrench. http://t.harborfreight.com/2-piece-...referrer=https://www.google.com/#.Uy991Ce9KK0

Or one of those plastic jar openers.