Non-destructively removing the hard premium "glued" end-caps

[Adrenalynn]

It's actually pretty easy.

I used a pair of foreceps (pliers, salad-tongs, whatever you have. Careful, it's hot!) and dipped just the end in a 1/4" of boiling water for 45 seconds. Then removed the cap with my normal "whatever is on hand" - a multimeter probe in this case, but whatever you normally use will work too.

The point is that a quick dip in the "spa" is enough to soften the glue and make removal (careful, did I mention _hot_?) of the end-cap possible without destroying or even deforming it.

 

[henrid84]

great idea lynn. gonna have to try it. im losing alot of caps

 

[thelook]

Thank you!!!!!!!!

 

[Adrenalynn]

I know, I know... "Photos or it didn't happen"

You guys are quick! You're welcome!

If you're going to clamp it with large forceps or vice-grips, grab it around the base so you don't deform the barrel.

 

[Darrigaaz]

Ewww your cap gets really, really gross looking.

 

[Adrenalynn]

That's glue residue (mixed with a bit of lipstick residue, I'm sure). Both come off with a little rubbing alcohol.

 

[Darrigaaz]

Uh huh... sure..... I believe you...

 

[Nilius]

Thanks lynn! I've been boiling them to the point of destruction

 

[Cielo]

thank you so much for this tip. I have already destroyed 2 perfectly good carts while attempting to get the caps off. Im not happy they have glue in them. I tried scraping the glue out but then it started flaking into my carts. *frustrated* at this point.

 

[Katya]

Very clever! Thanks for posting. Just a thought, wouldn't it be better to use Everclear or vodka to clean the glue residue? Or even orange cleaner (sticky remover), anything that is food-grade? I know that this question, coming from somebody who has for over 30 years willingly inhaled carbon monoxide, arsenic and hundreds of other poisons, sounds a bit ridiculous, but we're trying to get healthy here, right? Any thoughts on what cleaner would work best to remove the glue residue?

 

[Adrenalynn]

Using my method, just wipe 'em off with some rubbing alcohol while they're still warm (100deg C or above is the soft-point. Melting seems to be around 145-155 deg F)

[edit to add:] The alcohol will evaporate off in a few seconds. If you're concerned, just rinse in cold water afterwards. If you're paranoid, rinse it in boiling twice-distilled water. )

Seriously, though, if you drink ENOUGH rubbing alcohol, you'll go blind.

According to: http://www.inchem.org/documents/pims/chemical/pim290.htm#SectionTitle:5.1 Oral

Doses above 20mL are considered toxic. The residue that might possibly be left on your cap is probably nano-liters, but for sake of argument - call it microliters. So if you were to wipe them off with a paper towel and toss a couple thousand of them in your mouth simultaneously, somehow manage to swish a couple thousand around and suck the alcohol off, you might get sick. Right after you choked to death from inhaling some of those couple thousand end-caps.

I suspect the toxicity of the alcohol is substantially lower than getting nicotine juice in your mouth on a bad refill, but that's just me.

Pure Grain Alcohol, everclear, vodka, what-have-you is substantially more expensive than $0.80/bottle rubbing alcohol, but my readers should ALWAYS and ABSOLUTELY go the route that makes them feel most safe and secure. I try to note where any given procedure is likely to lead to a route of potential harmful exposure. Much of the stuff I play with can most certainly do that.

That said: I wouldn't wash my cartos in rubbing alcohol. That's just asking for potential trouble, mixing chemicals like that!

 

[keyzygirl]

You have a great brain!!

 

[Adrenalynn]

Thanks! I grew it myself.

Maybe not all that, though... But I DO have more than one Bunsen burner. Does that count?

In this case, I just used a simple little $15 GE-made electric hot-plate... Good thermometer though.

 

[Kimmy]

Sweet! Thanks girl

 

[Joe Camel]

In one of the early threads about them breaking I suggested removing them when its hot from vaping but that would work too I'm sure.

 

[Darrigaaz]

Does it get hot enough from just vaping though?

 

[Adrenalynn]

Do your caps get over 120deg when vaping, Joe? I'd think that'd be a scalding risk.

@ Kimmy : [curtsey]

 

[Mary Kay]

Dumb question! Does the wrapper also come off or start to peel in the hot water? No, I have never boiled a carto.

 

[Contrail]

Thanks for the tip. I have some premiums coming in tomorrow and I was wondering how to do this.

 

[Joe Camel]

Do your caps get over 120deg when vaping, Joe? I'd think that'd be a scalding risk.

@ Kimmy : [curtsey]

The end cap lived when I tried it, maybe i finessed it just right though.