This is a blah blah blah of a blah that I bought. The blah expressed here represent my own blah and not those of this blah website, planetofthevapes.co.uk. Blah.
Introduction
You have a problem, you may not realise it, but you want to keep that solid thing in your hand pumping as hard as it can for as long as possible. Time is against you, as it ages its performance will deteriorate. Titter ye not.
Lubing-up is therefore an important thing, especially when you are grinding into a tight cavity (because you have to consider protection, you see). Careful thought must be given to the lube of choice as some may do nothing more than lull you into a false state of confidence; during screwing all manner of nastiness could be taking place.
I am, of course, talking about maintaining as small a voltage drop on your mod as possible, for as long as possible.
Firstly, let us consider friction: Microscopic ridges rubbing against each other produces sound, heat and abrasion. My K100 (which I like a lot) is a prime example of the former - it squeaks like a mouse undergoing a rectal examination. Without lube. This is the sound of threads rubbing against each other and wearing themselves away. I have little idea of the time-frame and usage it would take in order for this action to destroy the threading action on the mod but I know one thing for certain - like being asked to get a proper job for a living - I don't like it. Lubricating the threads places a medium into those microscopic grooves allowing the threads to then slide over each other. Lots of things can perform this job: WD40, butter, dog shit. Some will perform the job better than others.
Let's move on to problems caused by moisture and oxygen in the air known by Andrew Eldritch (and probably named by as well for he is brilliant) as this corrosion. Metal reacts, oxidises, with oxygen - slowly, sure - and the oxide formed is in no way as conductive as the original metal. The ideal solution is to have a barrier which will also conduct electricity. Also, over time if left unchecked, this oxidisation "welds" metal together.
Of the online vape stores I've looked at the only solution being offered is Noalox (Cloud 9 shop here). This offers a reasonable answer to the problem, the gel acts as a partial barrier to moisture and oxygen while suspended zinc particles cut through oxides as threads move over each other. This means there is more bare metal to conduct electricity but in turn it also means there is bare metal to corrode. Plus, every time the zinc slices off oxide it is ripping away another bit of thread. Lastly, Noalox is designed for use with aluminium only.
I'm starting to feel like an insurance salesman.
I wanted something which would a) lubricate the threads b) protect the threads from corrosion PLUS c) not inhibit the flow of current by offering resistance.
The answer, ladies and gentlemen, is Contralube.
Contralube is a dielectric...it conducts electricity. It's a clear gel which you spread on to the threads of your mod, doing so you notice that it is tacky. It is this adhesion which keeps it in situ to do its job. It offers an excellent barrier to moisture and oxygen, preventing oxidation of the metal, and was designed for all metals experiencing harsh external environments. They say it will protect from: "moisture (inc. salt water), corrosion, wear, dust, rust, vibration (fretting) damage, verdigris (the green coating that builds up on copper)". Also, unless you are going to pump up your variable mod to 10,000 Volts the gel will not break down.
How can I check the threads are covered if it is a clear gel? Easy, it has a U/V dye in it so you can shine a black light to check coverage. After a while of use it will be necessary to wash and re-lube simply because the gel will have trapped dirt particles which will need removing from the device. The gel enables things to be tightened more, bringing the thread contacts closer together to maximise current flow too
So have I noticed anything after application?
The parts don't freely spin together on the K100, they move smoothly and the squeak has totally gone. This is the major reason I bought the stuff as it will transform the threads on any cheap and nasty device I own, all of the protection stuff is nothing more than a secondary benefit.
It does the job, it doesn't cost the Earth and it's only a tad more expensive than a much inferior product.
Should you get some?
Yes. Yes you should.
Vendor - Maplin store, Kettering
Price Paid - £7.49 for a 75ml tube
Would I buy this (again)? - Yes
Note(s)
This is the problem area, Contralube 770 seems to be getting as rare as rocking horse shit so if you see it, buy it.
Maplin only had two tubes in Northants this morning, one in Kettering and one in Banbury. There's now just one. Plus the price being quoted on eBay is a joke and there are just two tubes available on Amazon.
If you fancy some you'd better be quick about it or have great Google skills.
