TIER 1 — Q-TIP SWIPE (EVERY DAB)
After every single dab, while the banger is still 60-90°F (warm but not hot enough to burn paper), wipe the inside with a Q-tip dipped in 91%+ isopropyl alcohol. The reclaim comes off in seconds. Drop the used Q-tip in a small mason jar — the accumulated reclaim can be eaten later if you’re into that.
Skipping this is the #1 cause of chazzed bangers. Reclaim cools, hardens, and bonds to quartz. Don’t skip.
TIER 2 — ISO RINSE (EVERY 5-10 DABS)
Pour a shot of 91% isopropyl alcohol into the banger, swirl, dump out into a waste bottle. The remaining trace reclaim dissolves. Wipe with a fresh Q-tip. Best done while the banger is at 70-90°F.
For dichro or thermal bangers, also rotate the carb cap through the iso rinse to keep its underside clean.
TIER 3 — COLD SOAK (WEEKLY)
Drop the banger and any inserts into a sealed glass jar of 91%+ isopropyl alcohol. Soak 4-12 hours. Reclaim that survived earlier cleanings dissolves into the iso. Pull out, rinse with distilled water, dry with a paper towel.
For yellowed quartz from light chazzing: this often restores 80-90% of the original clarity.
TIER 4 — SALT-SLUSH (MONTHLY OR FOR STUBBORN STAINS)
Mix 91% iso with rock salt to form a thick slurry. Add the slurry to the banger, then plug both ends with thumbs (or use a banger-cleaning attachment). Shake vigorously for 60-120 seconds — the salt provides mechanical abrasion while the iso dissolves resin.
Rinse thoroughly with distilled water afterward. Salt residue on quartz will cause flavor issues in your next dab if not fully rinsed.
TIER 5 — BAKE-AND-RINSE (DEEP RESET)
For badly chazzed bangers that didn’t respond to salt-slush: heat the banger with your torch until red-hot. Carbonize the remaining reclaim. Cool fully. Soak in iso 12+ hours. Rinse with distilled water. Re-season as if it were a new banger.
This is the nuclear option. It works on most bangers but can leave permanent cloudy spots. If the banger is still chazzed after this, retire it.
COMMON MISTAKES
Cleaning too hot. Don’t pour cold liquid into a 400°F+ banger — the thermal shock can crack the quartz instantly. Wait until the banger is 90-110°F before adding any liquid.
Using non-91% alcohol. 70% iso has too much water and doesn’t dissolve resin efficiently. 99% iso is overkill. 91% is the sweet spot.
Skipping the rinse. Iso residue + salt residue both contaminate the next dab. Always finish with a distilled-water rinse and dry.
Forgetting the carb cap. The underside of the carb cap accumulates reclaim too. Clean it with the same protocol.
