So the OCD in me would simply not allow me to keep looking at the progressively deteriorating black paint job on my G-priv any longer.
I decided to take the plunge and attempt to silver it. I did not go the sandpaper route as I do not think the dust getting into the mod etc was a great idea. Also the bezel on the screen appears to be plastic and I believed it would in most probability get scratched in the process which would also be an eye sore, ultimately defeating the purpose. Despite not having a buffer pad I opted to paint strip, hand polish and buff to a shine.
The most difficult part was de-soldering the ground/negative wire of the 510 connector as it refused to come off. I eventually snipped it very close and re-soldered afterward. The battery contacts also required de-soldering. In total 3 wires has to be removed in order for the mod to be fully disassembled. The only "Oh $%^#*#" moment I had was when I accidentally burned off the battery removal strap with the soldering iron. I ended up using some lace I found among the wife's clothes (Don't ask. LOL)
I also learned that the fire bar is actually also zinc alloy and not plastic despite the fact that under the red paint it is white. Why SMOK would use primer (which didn't help keep the paint on anyway) on the fire bar and not the rest of the mod is also beyond me. Nonetheless I decided to not silver the firebar and instead wrapped it neatly in clear laminex.
However, I was pleasantly surprised that the internal aspect of the mod is very solid and well put together.
All in all it was well worth the few hours spent to bring on the bling, cool my eyes from SMOK's insufferable paint job and for me to focus on something else other than the things that bring on stress!
I decided to take the plunge and attempt to silver it. I did not go the sandpaper route as I do not think the dust getting into the mod etc was a great idea. Also the bezel on the screen appears to be plastic and I believed it would in most probability get scratched in the process which would also be an eye sore, ultimately defeating the purpose. Despite not having a buffer pad I opted to paint strip, hand polish and buff to a shine.
The most difficult part was de-soldering the ground/negative wire of the 510 connector as it refused to come off. I eventually snipped it very close and re-soldered afterward. The battery contacts also required de-soldering. In total 3 wires has to be removed in order for the mod to be fully disassembled. The only "Oh $%^#*#" moment I had was when I accidentally burned off the battery removal strap with the soldering iron. I ended up using some lace I found among the wife's clothes (Don't ask. LOL)
I also learned that the fire bar is actually also zinc alloy and not plastic despite the fact that under the red paint it is white. Why SMOK would use primer (which didn't help keep the paint on anyway) on the fire bar and not the rest of the mod is also beyond me. Nonetheless I decided to not silver the firebar and instead wrapped it neatly in clear laminex.
However, I was pleasantly surprised that the internal aspect of the mod is very solid and well put together.
All in all it was well worth the few hours spent to bring on the bling, cool my eyes from SMOK's insufferable paint job and for me to focus on something else other than the things that bring on stress!
Attachments
Last edited:
excellent work on the polishing job bud!
I am so doomed.
