Protecta-Clear coating

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boomboom

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I just placed an order with ProtectaClear Trial Kit : Everbrite Coatings, Keep Metals Looking Their Best for their protecta-clear coating trial kit and wanted to open a dedicated thread for discussion for those of you who already have the product and what you thoughts are and any tips/tricks that worked for applying the product to your GG's. I plan on using this on all my aluminum mods and not applying it to any threads as it impedes electrical conductivity.
 

quasimod

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I just tried it last night for the first time, and I didn't do very well. I just need some practice applying it, I'm sure (I guess absolutely everything relating to vaping has a "learning curve"). While we're on the subject: Does anyone know where to get Xylene in quantities smaller than 1 gallon? I hope I don't need that much!

First off, make sure you have a "back up" PV, because this project is going to take a while. You will need nicotine to get through it. :D

I was leery of using that applicator they sent me, because it's so big compared to the GGTS parts, and I was concerned that a sponge would promote bubbles. I used a Q-tip (cotton swab). It seemed to work pretty well, but I got one small cotton fiber in the coating.

My first coat was too thick: There was a slight bulge of liquid developing towards the bottom of the parts. I turned them over, and could see it ooze un-evenly back in the other direction the way paint runs. That's when I ignored the "leave it alone" part of the directions, and tried to blot some of it off with a paper towel. It didn't turn out as badly as I feared, but once it starts to dry, you should "leave it alone". :(

I wasn't paying very close attention to the time, but after about 10 or 20 minutes I added another coat. Big mistake! The first coat was too thick, so it was still pretty fragile. A couple of small splotches peeled off or dissolved or something, and the edges of those splotches are quite noticeable beneath the second coat.

The coating will not "fill in" those tiny little scratches and swirl marks in the metal you get from fingers and fabric, so forget about an actual scratch. Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish shines great, but it's a lot of work to get those swirl marks out, and it didn't do anything to an actual scratch. I'm going to try another polish next time.

After it first dries (about 2 - 6 hours in), it doesn't feel very nice. It has kind of a "plastic" feeling. After about 24 hours it starts to feel more like metal. I imagine after a couple of days, when it's completely cured, it will feel much nicer.

Yesterday, I asked the supplier (Zoe Smith) about getting rid of the swirl marks, and those tiny scratches, but I haven't heard back from her. It's only been 1 day, though.

I have a MUCH larger project in mind for this stuff if it works like I'm expecting, and I learn to apply it correctly.
 
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imeothanasis

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Good tips quasi, thanks a lot!

Sounds a lot like the time I refinished my hardwood floors. Bubbles and leave it alone definitely apply to hardwood refinishing as well. I wonder if the aerosol spray would be better if you masked off the threads on a GG?

aerosol would do a much better job is it exists. You can totally close the GGTS and apply the material to it
 

imeothanasis

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I ordered the paint on style because the aerosol has to be shipped UPS ground and UPS gouges international shipping with customs brokerage fees. If I have poor results with the paint on version, I'll be contacting the seller and see if I can arrange USPS ground delivery instead of UPS.


ok, thats good move for now Boom! Keep us informed
 

Dahaiz

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Apr 19, 2010
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Found a few little tricks to applying the paint on version.

If you have the MAAS polish that comes with the big kit it will take of old coatings ... no need for xylene. Just make sure you thoroughly clean the polish off before reapplying.

If you get cotton embedded or drip marks from too thick a coat during the drying phase don't panic. Get you lint free clothe dab some protect clear on it and recoat the affected area until smooth. You may need to recoat the whole piece to make it level. Just try to keep it thin and even. This coating seems very forgiving when it comes to correcting mistakes.
 

quasimod

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Also, it turns out that I should have actually followed that part of the directions where it said to neutralize the acid from the metal polish before using the coating. Mine is peeling off like crazy. If you didn't order a bottle of the super-cleaner, don't worry: baking soda and water works just as well to neutralize acid.

Also, I don't reccommend anyone let the customer service people know what you are using it for. Zoe was very helpful at first, but hasn't responded since I sent a pic of my GGTS. It's probably because she assumes my little project isn't going to generate a high-volume sale. Bad call: I know someone who is interested in finding a similar product, and he would likely need to order gallons of the stuff, regularly. That was part of the reason I was interested in the first place. :)

Based on my experience with this product, I think it would be best if he continued to use clear powdercoat. It's fairly cheap, looks great on polished truck rims, fuel tanks, etc., and powdercoating shops are everywhere. I'm going to show my GG to the guys at my local shop next time i'm in town, and ask them what they think about it. If they think they can do ONLY the non-conductive surfaces, I may just let them do it. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained", right?
 

Dahaiz

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boomboom how long are your coatings lasting? Also can you post a picture of the finished project? I would like to see how your GGTS looks after applying the coating. Thanks


imag0145s.jpg


This after a week old coating of protecta clear with constant use. The regular slim and AFS are NOT coated. I also didnt clean them up before the shot as I was in a rush to get it posted. So this is how the GGSS and GGTS look normally with the coating.
 

wood_510

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imag0145s.jpg


This after a week old coating of protecta clear with constant use. The regular slim and AFS are NOT coated. I also didnt clean them up before the shot as I was in a rush to get it posted. So this is how the GGSS and GGTS look normally with the coating.

looks good enough for me to invest in the product... where do I go to order it?
 
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