Just ordered a Provari in Gun Metal Gray zen kote finish

[unclestu]

Well my first APV was a Provari in black with a Kanger Protank. It was one year old this past May. Still vapes well although the satin black finish didn't hold up to well. The gunmetal zen kote caught my eye so I ordered one with the ext cap and an Aspire nautilus.
Just wondering if anyone has one of those Provari's with the zen kote finish and how is the finish holding up.
Thanks
Stu

 

[MrPlink]

Zenkote is just cerakote.

Very popular in the firearms and auto world.

It is good stuff but not invincible (nothing is) so don't be surprised when you start missing paint on corners or raised portions

 

[TheKiwi]

Zenkote is just cerakote.

Very popular in the firearms and auto world.

It is good stuff but not invincible (nothing is) so don't be surprised when you start missing paint on corners or raised portions

Well, hate to be that guy but I'm afraid you're wrong

Cerakote is a hardy ceramic coating commonly used for firearms coating. Considerably durable, they are prone to chipping off, and daily abrasion will eventually work it's way through, as the OP is aware.

Zenkote on the other hand is a metal-based coating. And it is way more durable than cerakote or similar ceramic coatings.

For a demonstration, check out PBusardo's interview with House of Hybrids.

The zenkote is able to withstand abrasions, even with the tube loaded on a lathe and abused with both high and low grit sandpaper.

Cerakote would not even come close to that durability.

In fact, the only way they managed to get the zenkote off was to use a combination of lathe and a corded grinder.

Yes, a grinder.

So yeap. Zenkote is nothing like cerakote. Just saying.


Burping out loud using Tapatalk

 

[unclestu]

Thanks for the feedback about the zenkote. Thanks Kiwi for explaining the difference between the zenkote and the cerakote. At first I started to think that I might have wasted my money on the zenkote. Now it sounds like it is really tough. I will look for the PBusardo interview.
Stu

 

[MrPlink]

Well, hate to be that guy but I'm afraid you're wrong

Cerakote is a hardy ceramic coating commonly used for firearms coating. Considerably durable, they are prone to chipping off, and daily abrasion will eventually work it's way through, as the OP is aware.

Zenkote on the other hand is a metal-based coating. And it is way more durable than cerakote or similar ceramic coatings.

For a demonstration, check out PBusardo's interview with House of Hybrids.

The zenkote is able to withstand abrasions, even with the tube loaded on a lathe and abused with both high and low grit sandpaper.

Cerakote would not even come close to that durability.

In fact, the only way they managed to get the zenkote off was to use a combination of lathe and a corded grinder.

Yes, a grinder.

So yeap. Zenkote is nothing like cerakote. Just saying.



Burping out loud using Tapatalk

Interesting. I've been told numerous times it is just cerakote but I guess I can chalk that up to the rumor mill.

I'm curious to see what zenkote actually is because I am willing to bet Zen did not invent a type of finish.

 

[Ryuukon]

Interesting. I've been told numerous times it is just cerakote but I guess I can chalk that up to the rumor mill.

I'm curious to see what zenkote actually is because I am willing to bet Zen did not invent a type of finish.

Actually, he did. Zenkote is Zen's baby. ZenKote

Here's the video, starting around the 45 minute mark, where he uses a grinder and a lathe to finally just START to take the Zenkote off the tube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgD9r9BxFsE

 

[unclestu]

Actually, he did. Zenkote is Zen's baby. ZenKote

Here's the video, starting around the 45 minute mark, where he uses a grinder and a lathe to finally just START to take the Zenkote off the tube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgD9r9BxFsE

I believe that in the video Zen states that this process (zenkote) was first developed by the military. However after watching the video I was quite impressed with the durability of the zenkote. My black satin Provari has really lost a great deal of it's finish in just one year of use.

 

[Gato del Jugo]

I believe that in the video Zen states that this process (zenkote) was first developed by the military.

From what I recall, Zen used to work as part of some sort of defense contractor (Navy?)..

Don't ask me where he said that.. There are some pretty lengthy YouTube videos with him chit-chatting away..

ZenKote is his...

EDIT: Almost forgot.. Enjoy your new gun metal! That thing is pretty sick!

 

[MrPlink]

I believe that in the video Zen states that this process (zenkote) was first developed by the military. However after watching the video I was quite impressed with the durability of the zenkote. My black satin Provari has really lost a great deal of it's finish in just one year of use.

This becomes more believable


BTW there are certain epoxy based finishes that will also require serious power tools to remove when applied correctly

 

[Gato del Jugo]

BTW there are certain epoxy based finishes that will also require serious power tools to remove when applied correctly

That are being used on PVs?

Names of these finishes..?

 

[Weizenheimer]

IIRC, he didn't invent the coating but he\whoever he had working on it was the first to add color to it, and yes I think he knew about it in the first place from military applications.

 

[yzer]

Photos of ZenKote Provaris that have a year of daily use would be helpful. A description of the usage (pocket carry, sitting on coffee table only, etc.) would also be informative.

 

[unclestu]

If it tool the use of an electric grinder while the zenkoted Provari was spinning on a lathe to even begin to remove the zenkote I can't imagine anything happening to the finish with normal use. I will post pictures of mine after a year.
Stu

 

[yzer]

I have heard a lot of good things about ZenKote. It will be interesting to see how it holds up in the long term.

 

[unclestu]

The new gun metal provari arived today with a nautilus. Definately need the beauty ring for the Provari. What do you think?