Warning: Don't damage the atty wick!

[Kent C]

When they get clogged up, I have been putting them in vodka for about 10 minutes max. Then blowing them out with comp air. In general it is not a good idea to let anything electrical sit while wet. Rubbing alcohol is denatured with pyridine, which has an awful taste and high bp. Absolute ethanol (100%) would be ideal, but it is very hard for a nonchemist to get. Used to be you could buy in a liquor store everclear, which was 95% alc. I don't drink so I haven't been to one lately, and haven't looked for everclear since my younger days! Someone else mentioned warm water. Thing is, most everything that gums up an atty is water soluble, and also ethanol soluble. Just blowing it out is sometimes not enough, especially when you are new and inexperienced and do all the wrong things.

As I think about it, acetone might be a good solvent. No water, dissolves the gunk, and dries fast and completely with some air. Not sure if there are any plastic parts that might dissolve however.

Not really making a point here, just discussing details...its just chem chat to me!

Kurt

I have used canned air but no longer do. The force is such that it could dislodge wicking, metal mesh on the bridge, even break a wire. Plus it has a bittering agent that could coat the metal:

Gas duster - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I use Galen's 151 vodka pure grain, charcoal fiter - @$12. To clean the shipping fluid, which is straight PG, from the atty I'll soak for 10 minutes and blow it out by mouth. For cleaning I'll soak for an hour or two and blow it out three ways - batt end, cart end and cart end closing off center hole to clear the intake holes. Dry on paper towel. Since I rotate attys, I'll put three drops of unflavored, no nic PG and store in a ziplock, bleeding the air out. 4 months and haven't lost one although I have one weak atty where I pulled out a strand of the bridge wicking.

 

[nubee]

I have noticed that after I clean an atty, it does take quite a bit of priming to get it fired back up again.

I've taken to adding 3-4 drops of ejuice after they have dried overnight and letting that sit/soak for an hour or so before loading up a cart and having at it. Even then, it isn't until the second or third cart refill that I'm back to the clouds of vapor.

 

[andrew]

I have noticed that after I clean an atty, it does take quite a bit of priming to get it fired back up again.

I've taken to adding 3-4 drops of ejuice after they have dried overnight and letting that sit/soak for an hour or so before loading up a cart and having at it. Even then, it isn't until the second or third cart refill that I'm back to the clouds of vapor.

I would bet that there is still some water in there. A drying method I use is to flush some everclear through, and let it soak in everclear for about 10 minutes. Pull it out, shake it off, and draw some air through, but don't energize it, for about 2 minutes or so until there are no alcohol vapors. It should be dry after this and produce great vapor.
Fast-Drying Atomizer

 

[Kurt]

I would bet that there is still some water in there. A drying method I use is to flush some everclear through, and let it soak in everclear for about 10 minutes. Pull it out, shake it off, and draw some air through, but don't energize it, for about 2 minutes or so until there are no alcohol vapors. It should be dry after this and produce great vapor.
Fast-Drying Atomizer

One can still buy everclear?? That's the ticket! Gonna see about getting me some. Thanks for this. Seems to be the most sensible and least invasive way of cleaning atty's out.

Kurt

 

[Nepenthy]

I had a "reaction" to PG for the first week of vaping, felt like the glands in my throat were swollen. Dunno if I had a bug that week and just coincidence, or the PG, but Im guessing PG. That quickly went away though and I havent had any other adverse effects other than not being able to leave my front window chair, waiting for the mailman.

The antifreeze taste is more than likely the atty primer, which tastes like motor oil from some vendors. I wouldn't recommend cleaning a new atty with anything. Just blow it out, put a couple of good juice drips on the atty and puff a few times without inhaling. Atomizer cleaning is almost certain death for those that are new to vaping, even the veterans kill some from time to time.

Purple degreaser! Man....has your 3rd arm started growing out of your back yet? I personally wouldn't clean my atomizers with anything that I felt uncomfortable ingesting directly.

 

[andrew]

I damaged the wick on my other attys as well with cleanings. Beware of using alcohol or any solvent. Maybe vinegar is safe?

I have gotten the attys to work however by using cartys that are semi-flooded, and priming them well (or dripping before puting cart on). See:
901 Attys Glowing, But No Vapor!

 

[Nepenthy]

I damaged the wick on my other attys as well with cleanings. Beware of using alcohol or any solvent. Maybe vinegar is safe?

I have gotten the attys to work however by using cartys that are semi-flooded, and priming them well (or dripping before puting cart on). See:
901 Attys Glowing, But No Vapor!

Saw your other thread, glad you have usable atomizers now. I can confirm that distilled white vinegar does not appear to harm the wick. I usually let them sit in a vinegar bath for 15 mins and then rinse out. Have done this over a dozen times and they are still running strong.