I couldn't tell you if it helps or not, but I'll be doing it exactly the same way I did it this time. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, and if it can't be fixed with a hammer, it needed replacing anway.
Yah, you got it exactly. We all develop our own little "rituals" for this eventually, there are no rules (but there is some science). Whatever works for you, that's part of the fun of it all! Welcome to the voodoo art of vaping on mesh my friend... Just for the record I currently start by swishing my A4 #500 mesh (#400 will do if that's what's available) and 32ga A-1 Kanthal in Vodka to help remove any manufaturer's oil residues etc. (I'd prefer Ethanol/Everclear but it's illegal in my state, gonna' make a run for the border one day). Then run the Kanthal through a butane lighter, glowing it red along it's length, then wipe that off with my fingers. I roll my wicks with as small a center hole as possible (it's a wick, not a straw). I play with different wick diameters but in general thicker wicks work better at higher voltages and thinner wicks work better at lower voltages. (I build thin wicked Phoenix "mods" that absolutely rock on ~3.3V 650mah eGO batteries to use for frequent flavor changes and such [see avatar]). Next I fold over a bit of what will be the exposed edge of mesh to hide any protruding fibers then scorch only the portion of the wick that is to be coil-wrapped in a blue flame butane torch until red 4X (no water-quenching [doesn't hurt and doesn't help but just takes more time, IMHO]). Then I drip VG (or any available ejuice will do) on that portion, set it alight with the torch and allow it to burn off naturally 3X. Then drop the wick into the wick hole (straight bottom cut, no difference noted with a diagonal cut). Next 4-5 wraps of Kanthal (depends on the battery/device I intend to use this with) with coils eveny spread apart as much as I can fit into the space allotted (more heated area = more vapor production). Dry burn at low voltage and drip some juice straight onto the wick. Observe the glow and nudge the coils around and burn with more direct dripping as needed until I get a relatively even glow across the coils. Sometimes this requires a bit of a spin of the wick inside the coils to get it settled into a good place. (And sometimes a bit of patience is required to achieve the desired result). Finally a scissor trim of the wick so that the coils are sitting near the top of the wick. Fill the tank, drip a couple drops of ejuice straight on the wick to speed wicking along, line the intake air hole in the cap straight-up with my coil, and vape away. Between each refill I clean my coils/wick rather gently by scraping any char off with a small jewelers screwdriver (any small tool will do) while running the whole Genesis under hot streaming tap water and rinse/shake-out the tank at the same time. No disassembly required. Then a dry burn and another scrape of the dry-burnt ash from the coil. Another rinse of water and another dry burn. Check the glow again, nudge as necessary, fill the tank and vape sum more... Once this wick has been fully broken-in or "seasoned" it becomes golden to me
Now my personal sacred rituals are documented for posterity. But subject to change at my whim... YMMV...

Also for the record my experience is that 1mm to 1.2mm intake holes (and small vapor chambers) deliver the best vape and flavor. Bigger is not better in these regards, IMHO.
Also for the record my experience is that "U" wicks perform worse than simple straight wicks. ("Ever seen a U shaped candle wick?" - Quote BJ43)
Recommended reading: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/modding-forum/330407-500-ss-mesh.html
Note: The photo in my avatar is of my Phoenesis™ with mesh. Photo was taken before trimming the wick top, for visual effect.
Siam Cobra, Buzz Pro, Bolt 16450 X2, Phoenix RBA w/ mesh mod X4, Griffin X1 (more to come), Lots of other stuff...
Last edited: