PMI PRODUCT SUPPORT

Vanishing Formula Kit Support

Set up your kit, check surfaces before a shoot, and find help with formula, storage and effects.

Setup Tutorial FAQ / Troubleshooting Specifications

Material Whitelist (PDF)

For SmokeNINJA PRO and SmokeNINJA PRO V2. A fog machine is not included in the standalone kit.

Vanishing Formula Kit: formula bottle, dedicated VF Chamber, Amplifier Nozzle and retail box

LEARN VANISHING FORMULA

Setup tutorial

Follow the official guide to prepare your VF Chamber and Amplifier Nozzle.

Vanishing Formula Kit Setup Guide

Prepare the formula, dedicated chamber and required nozzle.

▶ Vanishing Formula Kit setup guide

BEFORE YOUR SHOOT

Material whitelist

Check the material and its finish before using Vanishing Formula on your subject. Test unfamiliar or custom finishes on a representative sample before the shoot.

Plastics and polymers

ABS, PVC, PC (polycarbonate), PU (polyurethane), PP, PEEK and PETG.

Metals

Stainless steel, aluminium, chrome, nickel, gold, silver, copper and iron.

Leather

Synthetic leather, vegan / PU leather, and treated / finished leathers.

Paints and surface coatings

Hard acrylic paints, cured enamel paints, water-based polyurethane coatings, 2K polyurethane, UV-curable clear coats, conversion varnishes and polyester clear coats.

Glass: check the surface

Use on clean glass. Grease and fingerprints may become visible after application.

Materials to avoid

Natural untreated or uncoated leather; shellac; waxes and butcher-block oils; nitrocellulose sprays or lacquer; raw uncoated wood; cork boards.

The list applies to the materials and finishes named in the PDF. An unlisted material has not been confirmed by this guide.

This guidance assumes normal room temperature, humidity and ventilation. Evaporation slows above 95% humidity. A small fan can help clear the effect and dry the surface after your shot.

Open full material whitelist (PDF)

ANSWERS & SUPPORT

FAQ & Troubleshooting

Choose a topic to find setup, material, care and troubleshooting guidance.

Getting started

What is included in the kit?

The standalone kit contains one 100 ml bottle of Vanishing Formula, one dedicated VF Chamber and one Amplifier Nozzle. A fog machine is not included.

Which machines can I use it with?

Use the kit with SmokeNINJA PRO or SmokeNINJA PRO V2. Both require the dedicated VF Chamber and Amplifier Nozzle for Vanishing Formula. The original SmokeNINJA and SmokeGENIE are not supported.

Where do I start with setup?

Watch the setup tutorial for the dedicated VF Chamber and Amplifier Nozzle. Keep all three kit components together so the correct formula, chamber and nozzle are ready for each shoot.

▶ Vanishing Formula Kit setup guide

Do I need the Amplifier Nozzle for every effect?

Yes. The Amplifier Nozzle is required to control Vanishing Formula output temperature and texture. Keep it fitted when using compatible shaping accessories, and follow the setup tutorial for the attachment arrangement.

Yes. The Amplifier Nozzle is required to control Vanishing Formula output temperature and texture. Keep it fitted when using compatible shaping accessories, and follow the setup tutorial for the attachment arrangement.

▶ Vanishing Formula Kit setup guide

Effects and surfaces

Which effects does Vanishing Formula support?

The VF Chamber supports fog, Dry Ice and steam. Vanishing Formula disperses quickly as it mixes with surrounding air, making it useful for effects concentrated around your subject.

Will it leave moisture on my subject?

Temporary moisture can settle on compatible surfaces. It fully evaporates in approximately 45 minutes at room temperature, depending on airflow. Check the material and its finish against the whitelist before using the effect.

Temporary moisture can settle on compatible surfaces. It fully evaporates in approximately 45 minutes at room temperature, depending on airflow. Check the material and its finish against the whitelist before using the effect.

How do I check whether my surface is suitable?

Match both the material and its finish to the whitelist. A coating or custom finish can change the result, so test an unfamiliar finish on a representative sample before the shoot.

Can I use it in a venue with smoke detectors?

Vanishing Formula can still trigger smoke detectors. Keep at least 2.5 m (about 8 ft) between the fog outlet and a photoelectric smoke detector, and arrange a test with the venue’s approval. Never direct fog at detectors or disable, cover or bypass fire equipment. The distance is not a guarantee for every detector or room.

Vanishing Formula can still trigger smoke detectors. Keep at least 2.5 m (about 8 ft) between the fog outlet and a photoelectric smoke detector, and arrange a test with the venue’s approval. Never direct fog at detectors or disable, cover or bypass fire equipment. The distance is not a guarantee for every detector or room.

Formula and care

Can I mix formulas or use a standard chamber?

No. Use Vanishing Formula only in its dedicated VF Chamber. Do not mix it with Cloud Formula or other liquids. When changing to Cloud Formula, use a separate chamber intended for that formula.

How much formula does the chamber hold?

The VF Chamber holds 8.5 ml. One refill provides approximately 18 minutes of cumulative output for fog or Dry Ice, or approximately 90 minutes for steam. These are total output times across uses

How should I store the chamber between shoots?

Switch off the machine and let the VF Chamber cool completely before removing it. Close the chamber inside its sealed twist-lock capsule. Vanishing Formula evaporates when exposed to air; sealed storage helps preserve the liquid between shoots.

Switch off the machine and let the VF Chamber cool completely before removing it. Close the chamber inside its sealed twist-lock capsule. Vanishing Formula evaporates when exposed to air; sealed storage helps preserve the liquid between shoots.

When should I expect to replace the VF Chamber?

The estimated service life is approximately 100 hours of cumulative output. If the chamber is not working normally, contact PMI support with your machine model and a photo of the chamber so we can help identify the next step.

The estimated service life is approximately 100 hours of cumulative output. If the chamber is not working normally, contact PMI support with your machine model and a photo of the chamber so we can help identify the next step.

Troubleshooting

The fog looks thin or clears faster than I expected.

Check that you are using Vanishing Formula, the dedicated VF Chamber and the required Amplifier Nozzle. The formula disperses rapidly as it mixes with air, so airflow changes how the effect holds around your subject. Check the nozzle arrangement in the setup tutorial. If output still seems abnormal, contact PMI support with your setup details.

Check that you are using Vanishing Formula, the dedicated VF Chamber and the required Amplifier Nozzle. The formula disperses rapidly as it mixes with air, so airflow changes how the effect holds around your subject. Check the nozzle arrangement in the setup tutorial. If output still seems abnormal, contact PMI support with your setup details.

▶ Vanishing Formula Kit setup guide

There is moisture on my subject after the effect.

Check the material and finish against the whitelist. Temporary moisture on compatible surfaces fully evaporates in approximately 45 minutes at room temperature, depending on airflow. A small fan can help it dry after the shot. If the finish behaves differently, stop using the effect on that item and contact PMI support.

Check the material and finish against the whitelist. Temporary moisture on compatible surfaces fully evaporates in approximately 45 minutes at room temperature, depending on airflow. A small fan can help it dry after the shot. If the finish behaves differently, stop using the effect on that item and contact PMI support.

There is less liquid in the chamber after storage.

Vanishing Formula can evaporate when exposed to air. Check that the chamber was stored off the machine in its sealed twist-lock capsule. Follow the setup tutorial when preparing it for the next shoot. If you see a leak or another unexpected change, contact PMI support.

Vanishing Formula can evaporate when exposed to air. Check that the chamber was stored off the machine in its sealed twist-lock capsule. Follow the setup tutorial when preparing it for the next shoot. If you see a leak or another unexpected change, contact PMI support.

▶ Vanishing Formula Kit setup guide

My machine will not output, or it shows a warning.

Use the guide for your machine model to check warning signals and power. If you need more help, send PMI support the model, a chamber photo, and the warning or symptom you see.

Specifications

Standalone Vanishing Formula Kit. Figures below refer to the kit and VF Chamber.

KIT AND COMPATIBILITY

Included in the standalone kit

1 × 100 ml Vanishing Formula; 1 × dedicated VF Chamber; 1 × Amplifier Nozzle. No fog machine included.

Compatible machines

SmokeNINJA PRO / SmokeNINJA PRO V2

Required setup

Vanishing Formula with the dedicated VF Chamber and Amplifier Nozzle

FORMULA AND OUTPUT

Chamber capacity

8.5 ml

Effects

Fog / Dry Ice / steam

Cumulative output per refill

Approx. 18 minutes for fog or Dry Ice; approx. 90 minutes for steam. Accumulated output, not continuous-burst or battery runtime.

Estimated chamber service life

Approx. 100 hours of cumulative output

Airborne dispersion

Rapid dispersion through mixing with surrounding air

Surface evaporation

Approx. 45 minutes at room temperature on compatible surfaces; depends on airflow

STORAGE AND DIMENSIONS

Storage

Chamber off the machine, inside its sealed twist-lock capsule

Dimensions & weight

100 ml bottle: Ø3.9 × 15 cm, 123 g. VF Chamber: 25 × 25 × 50 mm, 40 g. Amplifier Nozzle: Ø2.8 × 2.5 cm, 5 g. Complete base kit, packaged: 8 × 4.2 × 16 cm, 225 g.

Need more help?

Contact PMI support at cs@pmigear.com. Include your machine model, a photo of the chamber, and a short description of what you are seeing so we can help with your setup.

Email PMI Support