Tarnished vivi nova

[matmacd]

Let me appologize if this has been covered here before, but I did a search and could not find anything.
I purchased 2 vivi nova's, and they both had a bad plastic/rubbery taste/smell to them. Like the foam padding they come in inside the box, but that is a different issue. Before I used the second one, I soaked all the parts in vodka overnight and rinsed with hot water. I believe this happened during the rinse, all the metal parts tarnished. Had this strange dark "finish" on them.
Any idea what this could be, or how to safely remove it? I tried vodka and a cloth and baking soda without luck. Do you think it would be unsafe to use as is? Confused. Sorry the pic is inverted.

 

[jclifford]

I am a fan of vivi nova's. I have many. This has never happened to me. I refinish jewelry and metal parts for a living. I would think that if you cannot remove the tarnish with baking soda it is not coming off. Baking soda is very abrasive. Might want to try toothpaste. Then watch to see if the tarnish is getting better or worse. If it is getting worse you are removing an existing plating, any further efforts will only make it worse. The more I think about it, I would say that the vivi's are a chrome plating over a stamped metal. For the price you are certainly not getting machined stainless steel. Just an educated guess.

 

[mostlyclassics]

Are you sure you have real Vision Vivi Novas? Remember, "Vivi Nova" describes the device configuration, much like "automobile" describes a four-wheeled powered conveyance. "Vision" is the brand name, like "Chevrolet" is a brand of "automobile."

I've never had this sort of discoloration happen with Vision Vivi Novas, and I soak parts in isopropyl alcohol. I've also used vodka once when I was out of isopropyl alcohol and vodka was handy.

 

[matmacd]

Thanks for the replies. This is supposed to be a real Vision.
I purchased it from smoktek, and made sure I got the Vision model, and not the less expensive Smok model.
It came with the 3 different heads and was in a black box that Vision on it.
I was a little skeptical when if got the funny taste as many people say theirs never had this.
Has anyone gotten a fake from smoktek? (Not SmokTech)
I will try the toothpaste also.

 

[matmacd]

So does anyone know if the visions from SmokTek are legit?

 

[Windz1]

Personally, the Vision ViVi Novas are the best. I have 6 of em for different coils and juice.

SmokTek are, from my experience, always dual coil. I Dunno if that's what your going for, but as mentioned in so many threads and the vets on here, there are so many variables in saying they are good/bad. . Any Vet want to confirm the coils on the SmokTek tanks?

if they're tarnished beyond use, I would try to see if vendors/retailers have just the parts your looking for. I know Health Cabin has those exact parts in the picture, but I haven't been on their site in a long while since China went on that Spring Festival thing last month, and they didn't have any nova parts in stock except for the tubes in black.

I'm fairly happy with the Vision STV Novas. Have had no problems except for one (leaky tube) which I replaced and is back to normal.

 

[NoleintheNati]

So does anyone know if the visions from SmokTek are legit?

Yes, I have purchased a legit Vision from SmokTek. Not to be confused with SmokTech.

 

[matmacd]

Yes, SmokTek, not smoktech. Thanks!

 

[klynnn]

I have been using several of them for about 7 mos now over and over and no problems with tarnish. I use hot water to clean.