Triade DNA200 by lost vape

[Swede]

Well thanks guys, there goes another big chunk of change!

fasttech has these now, as a Canadian it's hard to get high end mods for a decent price. FT price was less than anything available locally so the wait is on. It'll be my birthday present when it arrives!

This will be my second DNA200, my other one is a Wismec DNA200. I really love the form factor so this will be a classy brother to the Wismec. Looking forward to it.

 

[Completely Average]

I guess that with all the pro's of the Triade, I've also found a con: the grey paint is starting to peel off of mine

Did it have those wrinkles in the paint when it was new?

Because that looks just like you got washing soda on it.

Get a bit of that stuff on paint and let it sit and it will bubble up and peel off just like that.

 

[Eskie]

I've got 2 packages sitting in Beijing. All of a drip tip and some replacement coils. No idea why I didn't order them together, but I didn't so they'll get here when they get here.

Did it have those wrinkles in the paint when it was new?

Because that looks just like you got washing soda on it.

Get a bit of that stuff on paint and let it sit and it will bubble up and peel off just like that.

I have no idea what happened to Kinggrond's finish in that photo. I've had it since the beginning of June(?) and while it is a stay at home mod not subject to a harsh cruel world, my box looks as new today as on receipt. Even the bottom of the mod has zero wear. As with any product, there's plenty that can go wrong in manufacturing. However, based on the 2 products I do have from Lost Vape (this and an Efusion Duo) I think they do a bang up job. Lost Vape also has a US based warranty repair facility at this link (don't know why it only says home as it's lostvaperepaircenter dot com)Home if someone does have a problem.

 

[Kinggrond]

@Eskie Well I didn't abuse the mod anyway, just heavy but normal use. I only use a damp cloth for cleaning, no chemicals & stuff... I now peeled off the remaining paint except for the silver colored part in front which seems to be quite resistant, and I ended up with the bare zinc alloy which unfortunately doesn't age well, it oxidizes quickly and makes the mod look really old/cheap and worn...

Still very happy with how it works, only complaining on the looks

PS: Forgot to say that also the fire button started to wear off a little, showing a slight copper color beneath the initial silver one. So, not SS just plated.

 

[Chemical Bromance]

@Eskie Well I didn't abuse the mod anyway, just heavy but normal use. I only use a damp cloth for cleaning, no chemicals & stuff... I now peeled off the remaining paint except for the silver colored part in front which seems to be quite resistant, and I ended up with the bare zinc alloy which unfortunately doesn't age well, it oxidizes quickly and makes the mod look really old/cheap and worn...

Still very happy with how it works, only complaining on the looks

PS: Forgot to say that also the fire button started to wear off a little, showing a slight copper color beneath the initial silver one. So, not SS just plated.

Oh crap.
But this is a great start for a modding project

Sent from the road using Tapatalk.

 

[Kinggrond]

Well, you know, I wouldn't start a modding project on a $130+ mod, instead I would expect better craftsmanship for the money so I don't have to mod anything. I will definitely not buy another Lost Vape product again, not in the near future. I'm having this feeling that all manufacturers are cutting corners to make profit but this is only reducing profit on the long run, at least from my point of view. I would've expected this happening with some $40 mod but not with this one. Seems I never learn...

 

[Wingsfan0310]

Well, you know, I wouldn't start a modding project on a $130+ mod, instead I would expect better craftsmanship for the money so I don't have to mod anything. I will definitely not buy another Lost Vape product again, not in the near future. I'm having this feeling that all manufacturers are cutting corners to make profit but this is only reducing profit on the long run, at least from my point of view. I would've expected this happening with some $40 mod but not with this one. Seems I never learn...

Since I haven't heard or seen anyone else reporting this problem. It would seem like you got a bad one. If it was me, I would contact both the place I bought it from and Lost Vape asking for an exchange.

Cheers,
Steve

 

[Completely Average]

Well, you know, I wouldn't start a modding project on a $130+ mod, instead I would expect better craftsmanship for the money so I don't have to mod anything. I will definitely not buy another Lost Vape product again, not in the near future. I'm having this feeling that all manufacturers are cutting corners to make profit but this is only reducing profit on the long run, at least from my point of view. I would've expected this happening with some $40 mod but not with this one. Seems I never learn...

I'm sorry, but if the paint wasn't all wrinkled up like that when you bought it then you exposed it to something that ate away the paint. Dry paint does not bubble and wrinkle on it's own, it requires a solvent. It requires a liquid that softens the paint causing it to lose adhesion to the metal and allows it to bubble up and wrinkle. Dry paint will chip, but it will NOT bubble up and wrinkle on it's own.

Dry paint chipping:

Paint exposed to stripping agent:

I've spent years working with painted metal surfaces. Spent several years in a detail shop doing paint correction on very expensive cars. I've worked with all sorts of thinners and strippers. Your mod shows signs of having been exposed to a stripping agent. I'll assume it was an accident, but unless it looked like that out of the box then it was NOT a problem with Lost Vape, it happened after you took possession of it.

 

[Kinggrond]

@Completely Average: If spilled drops of e-liquid can be considered a stripping agent then yes, it was exposed to it a few times so the paint may not be juice resistant after all. I would also assume it didn't go through a proper surface treating before being painted or wasn't treated at all. As I finally stripped it, paint peeled very easily off the top part (where juice usually gets spilled). Anyway no big issue, adds character and still works fine.

By the way, when I said ''cutting corners'' I was referring to this cheap cast zinc alloy which is used even for the more expensive box mods, why not aluminum for instance? Or do I have to pay $500 if I want a SS box?

Since I haven't heard or seen anyone else reporting this problem. It would seem like you got a bad one. If it was me, I would contact both the place I bought it from and Lost Vape asking for an exchange.

Cheers,
Steve

It's been quite a few months since I got the mod - way past the 30 days warranty period - and at this point it's not really worth it. Also, it is a cosmetic issue only, don't think warranty would have covered it anyway.

 

[Completely Average]

@Completely Average: If spilled drops of e-liquid can be considered a stripping agent then yes, it was exposed to it a few times so the paint may not be juice resistant after all. I would also assume it didn't go through a proper surface treating before being painted or wasn't treated at all. As I finally stripped it, paint peeled very easily off the top part (where juice usually gets spilled). Anyway no big issue, adds character and still works fine.

Funny how no one else has the same problem though, isn't it? Unless you have something caustic in your juice then your mod was exposed to more than just juice. It's a simple FACT that in order to bubble the paint had to be softened enough that it became a semi-liquid again, which means it must have been exposed to something similar to a paint stripper or long exposure to a paint thinner. Dry, cured paint CANNOT bubble and wrinkle. It will chip and flake instead.

The mod has a 6 month manufacturing warranty on it. which means yours is still under warranty, or at least it was until you decided to strip the paint off yourself. If you truly believed that it's a manufacturing problem then why didn't you contact Lost Vape for a warranty replacement?

By the way, when I said ''cutting corners'' I was referring to this cheap cast zinc alloy which is used even for the more expensive box mods, why not aluminum for instance? Or do I have to pay $500 if I want a SS box?

I would have thought the word STAINLESS would have answered your question. You cannot paint a STAINLESS steel surface. The paint will not adhere to it. That's why it's called STAINLESS steel.

And aluminum is extremely soft. It's fine if your wanting to sell it as a billet mod, milled from a single piece of metal with very thick walls and a hollowed out spot in the middle, but then it would look like a Hana Modz box. With as thin as some of the parts on the Triade are it would bend and crush like a Coke can if it was made from aluminum and you dropped it.

So the mod has to be paintable and has to be strong enough to withstand being dropped without deforming. Zinc Alloy is an excellent choice for that purpose. If you think differently then you do not know metals. Sledge hammers are not made of aluminum or stainless steel, they're made from zinc alloy.

It's been quite a few months since I got the mod - way past the 30 days warranty period - and at this point it's not really worth it. Also, it is a cosmetic issue only, don't think warranty would have covered it anyway.

The warranty is 6 months, and definitely would have covered defective paint, if that was really the problem. I rather suspect that seeing the damage they would tell you the same thing I am though, you got something on it that reacted with the paint, and it wasn't just PG, VG, or nicotine. It was caustic.

 

[Kinggrond]

@Completely Average, a few more words:

1. I really have no interest in convincing you that I have not exposed this mod to caustic chemicals, solvents, thinners or any other liquid substance other than water on a cloth and the usual e-liquid spills. Take my word for it or don't. I've just posted what happened to my mod's paint in the exact circumstances I described above. I am actually happy that other Triade owners have not experienced any issues with their mods.

2. When I said stainless steel, I meant unpainted steel as it would look gorgeous in my opinion. Cast zinc alloy is cheap before anything else, that's the main reason why it's used in manufacturing a lot of cheap stuff on the market (sledgehammers qualify as cheap products ). Of course it's also easy to work with and quite resistant, doesn't mean it's also good looking because it's not if no paint is applied. It oxidizes atrociously which makes it look ugly and... well, cheap.

3. Vendor warranty in this case is 30 days, not sure about the manufacturer warranty though. Anyway the last thing I'd like is to have to deal with Chinese companies due to the immense amount of time needed to get something there and back in case a product needs to be replaced, not to mention the latest dumb European regulations which prevent individuals from importing vaping products, no matter the specific circumstances. I simply don't have the patience for this. Also, it's not a money issue, I rarely keep a mod more than 2 or 3 months although this one I liked and still do, even use it on a regular basis despite the cosmetic damage Also, I'm not trying to bash Lost Vape or anything, just presenting some facts a.k.a. my personal experience with the Triade. Hopefully nobody here is delusional enough to think that a bad apple can't pop up even with the best QC.

4. Your assumption that I don't know my metals is wrong and so is your statement that SS cannot be painted. It's a tough job maybe but galaxies away from impossible. Stainless doesn't stand for ''cannot be painted as nothing adheres to it'' but for ''does not stain due to oxidation, rusting, handling etc.'' I've successfully used epoxy paint on SS using a H3PO4 activated primer on a lightly sanded surface before...

 

[TenderPlacebo]

I've had my triade for less than a week now and it too has started to to peel a bit. I looked at it and saw a tiny bubble of paint. I rubbed it and it just kind of stuck to me and came off and right next to that spot is now a another tiny bubble.
The very bottom of mode is also peeled a bit; the rounded edges around the base.

So it's not only Kinggrond
Mind you it's not nearly as bad, but that doesn't mean in time it won't be.

I too have not used any chemicals, nor abused it in anyway; maybe a bit of juice got on it, but certainly nothing crazy.
I have seen on another forum a person experiencing the same issue, so there's def a few out there that may have received one with a bad paint application process.

I absolutely love the mode aside from the poor paint job.

 

[Eskie]

I've had my triade for less than a week now and it too has started to to peel a bit. I looked at it and saw a tiny bubble of paint. I rubbed it and it just kind of stuck to me and came off and right next to that spot is now a another tiny bubble.
The very bottom of mode is also peeled a bit; the rounded edges around the base.

So it's not only Kinggrond
Mind you it's not nearly as bad, but that doesn't mean in time it won't be.

I too have not used any chemicals, nor abused it in anyway; maybe a bit of juice got on it, but certainly nothing crazy.
I have seen on another forum a person experiencing the same issue, so there's def a few out there that may have received one with a bad paint application process.

I absolutely love the mode aside from the poor paint job.

Sorry to hear about another problem with the finish. As you're in the US, there is a US repair center for Lost Vape at this link lostvaperepaircenter.com Home

 

[TenderPlacebo]

Thanks for the link.

I do hate sending things back or out for repairs.. Mostly because I will be without this sweet hitting mod for awhile, but I should prob see if they would replace it.
Honestly, I could really care less what it looks like as long as it performs well, but it's definitely unacceptable for the price.

My 510 also felt kind of odd when screwing on my tanks the first few times. It was really rough, almost cross threaded feeling about 2-3 turns in. It's kind of smoothed out now, but def still a bit rough feeling, more so than any of my other mods.
Not sure if anyone else has had similar issues?!

 

[Eskie]

Thanks for the link.

I do hate sending things back or out for repairs.. Mostly because I will be without this sweet hitting mod for awhile, but I should prob see if they would replace it.
Honestly, I could really care less what it looks like as long as it performs well, but it's definitely unacceptable for the price.

My 510 also felt kind of odd when screwing on my tanks the first few times. It was really rough, almost cross threaded feeling about 2-3 turns in. It's kind of smoothed out now, but def still a bit rough feeling, more so than any of my other mods.
Not sure if anyone else has had similar issues?!

Given the premium price you paid for this mod, a good portion of which is related to the design aesthetic, you are entitled to having it properly fixed or replaced. I will admit to being lucky and not having any issues with either the finish or the 510. I also have another Lost Vape product which performs perfectly and again, has a great design to give it a terrific look. As with any company there can be QC issues. Unless it is occurring at rates far in excess of typical for the industry, that by itself is understandable. It's how the company responds to these problems that really establishes their reputation. I hope they can get it all squared away for you, as it is a great mod.

 

[Kinggrond]

I was starting to feel a little weird as the only one with issues Still, I'd like to see Lost Vape dealing with the problem.
Now maybe the paint thing is a more isolated one to just a few mods but there's the sled tightness issue with battery wraps getting eaten up which is well known and affecting ALL Triades and it doesn't seem to have been addressed.

@TenderPlacebo: mine started small as well with just a pea sized portion of the paint getting bubbly and wrinkled but it got slowly worse to the point where I decided to strip it completely because it looked hideous. Although it still has excellent functionality this mainly relates to the DNA200 chip but let's keep in mind that a mod is not only the electronics, quality must be consistent inside out.

 

[Konstantinos Kazantzoglou]

I was starting to feel a little weird as the only one with issues Still, I'd like to see Lost Vape dealing with the problem.
Now maybe the paint thing is a more isolated one to just a few mods but there's the sled tightness issue with battery wraps getting eaten up which is well known and affecting ALL Triades and it doesn't seem to have been addressed.

You're not the only one... it must be a bad batch or the quality control is non existent also the battery door leaves a gap! A thing that you don't expect from a mod with this price tag.

 

[Kinggrond]

Well I guess we must rethink our strategy regarding buying mods. I really wanted to think that for a certain price tag you get a certain QC/certain quality overall but it appears it's not the case. Seems like some Chinese companies are playing another game, asking premium prices for what it seems to be ordinary mods with good chips inside (so far the DNA200 chip is the only good thing inside the Triade) and also trying to mislead customers. Just take a look at the bottom of the mod, it says ''Manufactured by Lost Vape, designed in the USA''. No hint to ''Made in China'' which it totally is! Now, who from the USA designed it, as Lost Vape is a 100% Chinese company and I couldn't find any connections to something even remotely close to an American company?

On top of that, they also don't seem to care about known and widespread issues like the battery sled screwing the wraps, no recalls or anything...

 

[Ed_C]

It's a simple FACT that in order to bubble the paint had to be softened enough that it became a semi-liquid again, which means it must have been exposed to something similar to a paint stripper or long exposure to a paint thinner. Dry, cured paint CANNOT bubble and wrinkle. It will chip and flake instead.

This is not true.

BLISTERING
(Pimples, Bubbles, Bumps)
Swelled areas appearing as pimples or bubbles in the topcoat film, often months after application.
CAUSE
(A) Moisture trapped beneath the paint film due to:
1) Improper dry time after wet sanding;
2) Contaminated air lines;
3) Spraying in extreme high humidity conditions.
(B)Using a poor grade and/or too fast evaporating thinner/reducer for spray conditions.
(C)Trapped solvents from applying wet heavy coats with insufficient flash time between coats.
(D) Improper dry time of undercoats before topcoating.
(E)Painting over grease, oil or rust.

http://www.sherwin-automotive.com/pdf/Troubleshooting_Guides_Eng_PDF.pdf

 

[Eskie]

I wonder what the failure rate on the finish actually is. No question it's happened to the two posters above, but no idea how widespread it is. I've been very fortunate that my finish and leather have held up well for going on 3 months now, and that is with daily use, although all at home. It's not a travel mod for me. Is this just across a batch run, or is it a fundamental problem in manufacture? I'd be hard pressed to believe it's a fundamental problem, as it would be occurring to most, if not all of us, and I don't think I'm just the one lucky person who has one that stands up well, as I'm usually not all that lucky when it comes to this sort of stuff.

I am interested at hearing from the response from LV about this, especially for those of you who reached out directly to them through someplace like their US repair center.