Atomic Z1 chrome peeling off 1st stage

[wmspdi]

What would cause the chrome finish to peel off of the swivel cap on an Atomic Z1? There were no dings or other physical damage as a starting point. I would hate to think it was poor workmanship on Atomic's end. I have another Z1 and 2 M1s that I am concerned may develop the same problem.What harm will come in leaving the brass exposed to fresh water for the next year (until it's bi-annual service)? A new swivel cap is $40.00 but if I have it replaced during the service I won't have to pay extra for labor.

[ScubaToys Larry]

Plating is a very tricky process. If the chrome shop had anything wrong as far as temps, chemicals etc - it can cause the chrome to peel. I saw it now and then when I was manufacturing my ScubaTool casings that were chrome plated. Now and then - you'd get some that would peel.

A company like Atomic probably doesn't do their own chroming. I'm not 100% sure, but it would be a very good educated guess that the chrome plating is jobbed out to a local plating company - and if your piece was not cleaned right, or any of a number of other problems - it could peel.

That would fall under a manufacturers defect that should be replaced no charge. If you got it from us - just send it in and we'd swap it no charge. If you got it local - they should do the same.

[wmspdi]

Thanks for the quick reply. I wish I could have purchased it from you, but there is that "internet sales" restriction. Instead I bought it used last week, so it looks like I am on the hook for the repair cost.. unless Atomic decides to replace it out the goodness of their heart (and a concern over customer satisfaction).

I have an email into to the seller and may just return it to him for a refund. He said it was in "like new" condition and had the "Jet Seat Piston" which it does not (another $60.00 upgrade expense).

Thanks again for the info. At least it makes me feel better about my other regulators.

[Black-Gorrilla]

how much did it cost you?

[wmspdi]

Originally Posted by Black-Gorrilla

how much did it cost you?

Too much to sink this kind of money into ($120.00). I bought it because the seller listed it as "like new" and with the Jet Seat piston. To repair and upgrade this Z1 I am looking at $40.00 for the swivel cap, $60.00 for the Jet Seat and then labor for the 2 year service. For a few dollars more I can buy it NEW from my LDS with a warranty.

Since this item was misrepresented in the eBay listing I have decided to return it to the seller for a "full refund within 7 days" as offered in his auction terms. Hopefully he didn't misrepresent that as well. Thanks for the information.

[fireflock]

I notice that way too many of the Z1's on ebay have photos where you can't see the end cap (a clue to if it has the jet seat piston).

Coincidence? I don't know.