Metal flakes peeling from tube inside Phoenix 3ML tank..

[rlh445]

Okay, I'm a little peeved here. I just received my Phoenix 3ML tank in the mail, literally a half hour or so ago. I loaded it up with some juice and of course - YUCK! Good thing I had read some of this thread before hand. So I took it apart and was going about cleaning it. I noticed some metal flecks on my Q-tip and wondered what it could be from....it was from the metal tube that sits in the middle of the clearo. WHAT?! The metal paint or whatever the heck it is is literally peeling away from the metal tube, guys. Look, I know this

is made in China, but come on! Is it really too much to ask to get something in that works out of the box? Is it even safe to vape with it now? What am I supposed to do here?

 

[MastiffMike]

If there's metal (or paint) flecks I would NOT vape with it! Until Chris or Danno respond I would suggest holding off doing anything with it. Even if you cleaned off all the flaking metal/paint I'd still be leary of using it and besides, they may want to see it. Since this is the first I've heard of it happening, it seems strange and I wonder what went wrong (i.e. did you actually get a prototype, a poorly manufactured one, or is this some sort of sneaky attack on America?). In any case, I imagine they'll want to have a chat with the factory.

 

[Briar]

Mastiff, you forgot:

rlh445 - *open a ticket*! Just to make sure.

This is total weirdness. What could possibly be peeling there - the thing is just metal, isn't it? It doesn't look painted... Maybe it's shavings from manufacturing process? Do you have pictures?

 

[woody55]

Yes, most definantly open a ticket and give them you order number, name and email addy. Then they can get to bottom of problem. As far as I know the center tube is not plated where it would peel, so don't know what it would be. This is one most definantley for bad or danno to answer!

 

[woody55]

Also on newer units they are dry with no protectorant on coils so no need for cleaning.

 

[rlh445]

Ah yea, I'll take some pics with my phone. Yea, it looks like peeling from paint, and it has ripples and stuff. I'm thinking maybe somebody machined it right before sticking it in lol..I'll update with pics.

 

[badkolo]

Okay, I'm a little peeved here. I just received my Phoenix 3ML tank in the mail, literally a half hour or so ago. I loaded it up with some juice and of course - YUCK! Good thing I had read some of this thread before hand. So I took it apart and was going about cleaning it. I noticed some metal flecks on my Q-tip and wondered what it could be from....it was from the metal tube that sits in the middle of the clearo. WHAT?! The metal paint or whatever the heck it is is literally peeling away from the metal tube, guys. Look, I know this

is made in China, but come on! Is it really too much to ask to get something in that works out of the box? Is it even safe to vape with it now? What am I supposed to do here?

i would send that one right back to me so i can show the factory

 

[Bocephus]

If it is peeling like paint then it is most likely the plating coming off which is rare and could simply be a part or batch that was not cleaned good enough before plating. When you plate brass and metals of that nature they need to be super clean and free of oxidation which is usually done by a chemical dip. I woud recommend if you have not already to stop vaping on it as I am not sure what the base metal is but might cause a odd taste in the juice.

Send it back to Chris as he said. Lots of parts like this are plated and yours would honestly be the first I have heard of the plating coming off so its not something that happenes a lot.

 

[Hurley]

I bought two boxes of these and the very first one I took out of the box and filled I got a horrible taste. Took it apart and cleaned it and noticed metal shavings in the cup around the wick. The wick was black. I checked the metal tube and didn't see anything unusual. I opened another and took apart. Same thing metal shavings in the cup. Opened a third. Same results. I didn't notice any peeling. I've cleaned real good and removed all metal shavings and they work just fine. I've been using the same two for a few weeks now. I guess I will clean everything before using from now on. You never know what was done at the factory. On another note I broke the tubes for these(rolled off table and I stepped on them) and found that the indestructible fluxo tube work very well on these.
Sorry I just realized you were talking about the 3 ml. This was on the xls. My bad. I'm not sure what to do at this point. I have a 3ml on the way so I'll check for peeling when I get it.

 

[Bocephus]

his issue might very well be shaving as well. I honestly do not know if these are plated or solid and would have to put it on the grinder to check but I am to lazy. Make sure to clean very, very well if there is metal shaving as there is a chance there could be machining lube on the shavings which probably where the taste came from.

If any more have shavings I would recommend soaking in alcohol for a few and then washing to try to get any gunk out of it so it doesnt get burned into the wick.

As far as the xls or 3 mil the inner tube should be the same on both at least material wise not sure about dimensions. It is always good with something like that to talk to Chris about because if ya send one back to him he can show the factory and get it fixed.

 

[Hurley]

I might have to open a few more to see if they all have metal shavings.

 

[Briar]

Hm. It just so happened that I was opening my remaining two packages of the ViVi tanks. As I took off the lids, a couple of tiny metal shavings fell out. I looked inside the hole in the bottom of the lid, and on both there are spots where there is no plating, and I think what's showing is copper - reddish metal, in any case.

Well, it's something to pay attention to in the future, anyways.

 

[harmonic]

Hm. It just so happened that I was opening my remaining two packages of the ViVi tanks. As I took off the lids, a couple of tiny metal shavings fell out. I looked inside the hole in the bottom of the lid, and on both there are spots where there is no plating, and I think what's showing is copper - reddish metal, in any case.

Well, it's something to pay attention to in the future, anyways.

hummm i thought the reddish metals were the ones that react with juice? copper brass ect prolly not good to have some exposed in the tank

 

[Briar]

hummm i thought the reddish metals were the ones that react with juice? copper brass ect prolly not good to have some exposed in the tank

I was thinking the same thing... It really looks like copper with some black spots on it - looks like the plating didn't stick. These also have tiny shavings in them. Of my four ViVis, three have this. I didn't realize these guys were plated, to be honest.

Considering the location, these areas must be a PITA to plate, and do not come into direct contact with juice necessarily, but they do have a lot of condensation in there, which likely finds it's way back into the juice.

IMHO, this probably needs some attention.

Of course, from what I've seen of the video of the new ViVis, the top configuration, including the hole, is a bit different? I bet if the hole is straight through, without the horizontal recess, it will pretty much eliminate that problem.

 

[yiddleboge6]

I was thinking the same thing... It really looks like copper with some black spots on it - looks like the plating didn't stick. These also have tiny shavings in them. Of my four ViVis, three have this. I didn't realize these guys were plated, to be honest.

Considering the location, these areas must be a PITA to plate, and do not come into direct contact with juice necessarily, but they do have a lot of condensation in there, which likely finds it's way back into the juice.

IMHO, this probably needs some attention.

Of course, from what I've seen of the video of the new ViVis, the top configuration, including the hole, is a bit different? I bet if the hole is straight through, without the horizontal recess, it will pretty much eliminate that problem.

I agree that it needs to be looked into. Just cleaned one of mine and it appears alright. Got another with juice in it that I will check later

 

[mwa102464]

I have no idea why ALL Manufacturers wouldn't be using a 316 Surgical stainless Steel in everything they make that juice contacts, anything less is just cutting corners to save money. Even if the cost where a bit more it would be much healthier and safer. Cooper is not something we want to have juice in contact with at all, it oxidizes and just isn't safe, even some grades of SS have lead in them, 316 surgical stainless steel should be used for anything and everything that juice comes in contact with in my opinion, otherwise long term vaping from anything but could affect us. Cartos, Atty's, Tank internals, all of it should be made from this 316L Surgical Grade Stainless Steel. Or Glass, the actual parts that touch the juice arent that many or that much, but should be 316L SS or Glass, just my 2c

 

[Briar]

Hang on, guys, I think this may not be what it appears...

I just took a metal rasp to one of the ViVi lids, and after quite a bit of rasping, nothing yellow shows up. If it's plating, it's damn thick.

Is it possible that it is stainless, but what I'm seeing inside is some kind of discoloration? And the shavings are simply from the shaping during manufacturing?

I think we need to ask Bad what this is *supposed* to be made out of. It's possible to discolor ss, I think, but I'm not a materials expert, and I have no clue what is done to it during the process. All I know is that I see spots, and when I scratch and rasp at the lid, it's still white. And weight is substantial, so it feels like steel. Maybe not very good ss, otherwise it wouldn't scratch so easily, but steel.

I was under the impression that it *was* ss, truth to tell.

Bad? What is this supposed to be made out of?

P.S. I've been trying to take a pic of the discoloration, but since it's inside the lid body, there is just no way, not enough light getting in.