How to Clean your Mechanical Mod

Although a mechanical mod is easily customisable, making it popular among cloud chasers and sub-ohm enthusiasts, it is quite the high-maintenance device.

For one, there are a lot of removable parts that you need to keep track of and make sure are functioning right. Additionally, a lot of mech mods are made from copper and brass. While these materials are highly conductive, they are also prone to oxidation and dirt.

If this is your first mech mod, you need to know that your device requires regular clean-ups, so it will look and work the way you want it to. Otherwise, it will get all gummed up.

Here then, is the Superior Vapour guide to Mechanical Mods:

Quick Rinsing of Your Mech Mod

Set aside a few minutes per day to clean your device. Copper, for instance, oxidises in just a few hours of use. While brass does it less, it still needs frequent cleaning. Some vendors include cleaning kits with their mech mods, but it’s possible for you to DIY it.

Materials needed:

- Container or basin that’s big enough to hold all the parts of your mech mod

- Warm water

- Dish soap

- Paper towel

- Pair of gloves

Steps:

1. Fill your container or basin with warm water.
2. Wear your gloves.
3. Carefully disassemble all the parts of your mech mod, making sure any e-juice is disposed of.
4. Place each component in the container with warm water.
5. Wash the components with warm water, until they are clean. If the dirt won’t come off, add a few drops of dish soap.
6. Dry each part with a paper towel.
7. Air dry for about 15 minutes.
8. Reassemble all components.

Deep Cleaning Your Mech Mod

Deep cleaning will help your mech mod look like it’s brand new. It would also remove any grime, dust, or oxidisation built up over time.

A.Deep cleaning the entire mech mod

Materials needed:

- Container or basin that’s big enough to hold all the parts of your mech mod

- Citric acid dissolved in water (e.g. 70% vinegar solution)

- Eraser

- Soft toothbrush

- Pair of gloves

- Paper towel

Steps:

1. Mix the citric acid with water solution in the container. Hint: Some people advise using cheap vodka.
2. Wear your gloves to protect your hands from grime and dirt.
3. Detach the tank from the mod and dispose of any remaining e-liquid.
4. Carefully disassemble all the other mech mod parts.
5. Place all the components in the container with citric acid solution, and let it soak for a few minutes.
6. Use a soft toothbrush to scrub the mech mod components. Use it especially for the threads, so you can remove all the dirt stuck inside. You can also dampen a paper towel with citric acid solution and scrub the pieces clean.
7. Use an eraser to further clean the pin (if still needed).
8. Rinse the pieces with water and wipe them.
9. Let it air dry for 10 to 15 minutes.
10. Reassemble all the components.

B.Cleaning the contacts

Unkempt contacts caused by dirt and arc marks often prevent consistent connection with the battery. You might notice this when the battery gets overly hot. This would then result in less conductivity, which would eventually affect your device’s performance.

When cleaning your contacts, be extremely careful as these are crucial to your device’s performance.

Materials needed:

- Mouse pad

- Non-abrasive cloth

Steps:

1. Place your mouse pad on the table with the back side showing (the rubbery part).
2. Take the top cap, then push the button to push out the contact.
3. Rub the exposed contact back and forth on the mouse pad. Be careful not to rub too harshly, as that will take the plating off.
4. Next, take your RDA and rub the contact on the back side of the mouse pad.
5. Use a cloth to wipe off any residue that the mouse pad leaves.

Some vapers use Q-tips dipped in vinegar, ketchup, or isopropyl alcohol to clean the contacts. But make sure you remove all the cleaning agent’s residue, as it might affect the taste of you e-juice.

C. Cleaning the subtank, RDA, RDTA

When cleaning the subtank, you need to disassemble all the large parts. For your RDA/RDTA, it’s advisable that you clean them only when you need to replace the coil as these are highly sensitive parts.

Materials needed:

- Warm water

- Non-abrasive cloth

Steps for your subtank:

1. Disassemble all the large parts of your subtank.
2. Rinse every part with warm water. Do not use soap, as that would leave a residue, which would then affect the taste of your e-juice.
3. Make sure your coils stay dry as water will destroy it.
4. Wipe the parts and leave it to air dry.
5. Reassemble your subtank.

Steps for your RDA/RDTA:

1. Disassemble the parts of your RDA/RDTA. Be careful, so you won’t damage the stripping screws.
2. With your RDA, remove the coils and cotton, then rinse the build deck and top cap. Let it air dry, then reassemble it.
3. With your RDTA, remove the 510 pin, unscrew the body, and remove the glass and the o-ring. Then, rinse it with warm water. Let it air dry, then reassemble it.

D.Polishing the outer body

Materials needed:

- Alcohol wipes

- Eraser

- Isopropyl alcohol

- Polish

- Non-abrasive cloth

- Gloves

Steps:

1. Polishing the outer body of your mech mod is easy. You can use alcohol wipes or an eraser to clean the dirt and grime. Then, polish it using isopropyl alcohol.
2. You can also use polish, especially for brass and copper mech mods. Wear your gloves, then apply a small amount of polish to the cloth. Then, wipe it all over the mech mod parts.

A Little TLC goes a Long Way

It’s important for you to take care of your mech mod to help with its performance and longevity. Clean it at frequent intervals, charge it before the battery completely drains out, buy a protective case for it, and store it in a cool, dry place.

Although this device requires more maintenance, the personalised experience you get out of it is worth all the effort.

If you need help starting your mech mod journey, call us on 01179 669309 or email us at info@superiorvapour.com and we’ll gladly guide you.