Zippo Maintenance

[bullet08]

Been using rubber gasket thing also. Seems to add about 3 days between refills. I actually like it. Now, only if Zippo comes out with extra long flint..

 

[DennisT]

What do you all use to replace the cotton wadding inside the Zippo insert that soaks up and holds the fuel? Household cotton balls? Just wondered if it's something special. Can't seem to find it for sale as such, and if simple cotton why buy something more expensive...... Thanks...

 

[ARTOPUT]

Here's Matches 860's video on You Tube about cleaning a Zippo lighter'
(272) How To Clean a Zippo Pipe Insert - YouTube

In using this method for cleaning a pipe insert. What solvent have you found to be best to remove the carbon buildup on the insert?

 

[ray47]

In using this method for cleaning a pipe insert. What solvent have you found to be best to remove the carbon buildup on the insert?

I use Everclear, but any kind of alcohol may work.

 

[MGAOKC]

Trim my wicks 2 or 3 times a year.
To clean up a use a little steel wool to buff it up, looks like new.
I started using the rubber gaskets also.
I fill up on the weekend and go all week now.

 

[anotherbob]

I just finished up changing the flints and trimming the wicks on my Zippos, something I don’t remember to do often enough.

What do you guys do to clean up the soot and grime in your lighters?

honestly a handkerchief most of the soot and grime wipes off super easily.

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

I use almost exclusively Zippos with pipe inserts, new inserts are $8-12 or free if you send it back to Zippo. I don't do any maintenance in the insert. I've had the same case for about 15 years, its on its 3rd insert.

 

[Ray Popp]

Complete tear down followed by Brasso bath. Then grain alcohol bath and filtered air dry. Reassemble with clean cotton gloves on while 42 virgins are singing in the background.

No. Never cleaned my Zippo.

Forget the zippo ...

 

[orvet]

Zippos are amazing and is most of you know they last pretty much a lifetime. I had a friend who purchased one at the PX when he was in the Army before he shipped overseas in World War II. He spent two and a half years in A POW Camp and still manage to hang on to his lighter. He carried the same lighter through Korea and through one tour in Vietnam and then retired after 30 years in the army.
He worked for me in one of the smoke shops I managed and still had his Zippo about 1990.

It was one of the first models of Zippo with the Chrome plated brass case and external hinges. Almost all of the Chrome was gone from his lighter but it still worked like a Zippo!

 

[Coreios]

Just fill it and use it. Should work for a long time.

 

[Coreios]

How long will a fill last you guys?
I can usually go a week on a fill if I saturate it, though it's a blowtorch the first few lights.

Depends on a lot but mine usually last a cpl weeks.

 

[cappadoc]

No cleaning or maintenance necessary.
Remember, KISS.
Fill, light, use, fill.
Repeat as needed.

 

[bobpnm]

This one lives in a box on my deck table. Wrapped in tape so my ham fists won’t constantly have to pick it up off the deck. After a few years the box disintegrated around it. replaced with Tupperware from the kitchen. Good for a lifetime now! Yes, I know this is why I can’t have nice things.

 

[didimauw]

This one lives in a box on my deck table. Wrapped in tape so my ham fists won’t constantly have to pick it up off the deck. After a few years the box disintegrated around it. replaced with Tupperware from the kitchen. Good for a lifetime now! Yes, I know this is why I can’t have nice things. View attachment 206931

This is why I prefer inexpensive pipes. But don't feel bad, I drop my 20 dollar Zippo often, but I drop my 120 dollar old boy even more often!