How To Repair A Zippo Windproof Lighter That Will Not Light Or Spark

How To Repair A Zippo Windproof Lighter That Will Not Light Or Spark.
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[@traciefalls88]

Thank you so much, I have my grandma’s zippo it’s almost 50 years old and it wouldn’t light, I rerouted the wick, repacked it and poof a beautiful flame😁 thanks again

[@Raven-te6mv]

Thank you, I found an old zippo light in the old boxes and it wouldn’t light now I know what to do

[@KevinRaynor]

Followed this video step by step now my old zippo lights first time was gonna put it in a drawer and buy a new one but thanks to you and your video she's working like a new one THANKYOU

[@michaelwillis7075]

Thanks for the video. I had a zippo for my 50th birthday from my wife, but it has never performed well. I followed your recommendations and it now works spot-on. Cheers!

[@B_Man3]

A year later and here you are still teaching everyone 😅

[@PaulSter]

Thank you good sir!

[@missyfaesmith5274]

Thank you for sharing this video, I have never done this repair. So fingers crossed for me, I am going to attempt to do what you just showed. If it doesn’t work, I will just send it into The Zippo company.

[@dianabjerke123]

Thanks for the great videos starting a new hobby because of you!! Thanks! (some people have an OCD need for the light at the end because it's a satisfying part of the process)

[@chakajnarodom]

Thanks

[@kyleeeades]

Thanks so much for your video, I managed to get my zippo, which has been sitting unused for about 5 years, working again. So happy!

[@DependableFlame]

Your happiness makes me happy.✌️

[@kyleeeades]

@@DependableFlame :)

[@madarauchiha919]

How can I retighted the lid. I bought an old 67 vietnam zippo and the lid is loose with a ton of side to side play.

[@tonybrown9875]

Nice video

[@nick.katranis6235]

I've got a 30-year-old lighter that I took in to have repaired 5 years ago now it's giving me problems again do you think it needs a new Wick?

[@duongminh-mk6pe]

Now I know how to take care of my Zippo myself. Thanks

[@delacruzvideos2238]

Where do you buy the wick?or the part that lights up I noticed yours is new

[@DependableFlame]

I have links on this page of my site where you can purchase them: dependableflame.com/helpful-lighter-related-links ✌️

[@joshgentry-rp7lu]

My Zippo won't spark or light help

[@derricklawrence3185]

Hello, I have a question. I have inherited my fathers old zippo lighter . The hinge is loose. Do you have a video on how to fix it. My fathers lighter is like the one you have in this video. Thank you.

[@DependableFlame]

I've never messed with a hinge. I would leave that to the Zippo repair clinic. Unless it is really old and valuable then I might leave it as it is. If you plan to use it, I'd let Zippo repair the hinge.✌️

[@derricklawrence3185]

@@DependableFlame I do plan on using it. Thank you for the advice.

[@jimgee2676]

love your videos , if i ever need a repair on a vintage lighter can i send it out to you ?

[@DependableFlame]

That is an excellent question Jim and I appreciate you asking it. It is also a difficult question for me to answer. Since I launched DependableFlame.com in 2017, I have been repairing petrol lighters via mail at no cost to the customer other than the price of postage to mail it to me. I've been very clear that I work on my own time at my own pace and most folks are understanding of that. It has worked out okay but my goals for this channel and the website along with my Ebay store have grown and shifted and there are days, weeks, months at a time where I don't have a chance to look at those projects that have been mailed to me. The backlog leads to anxiety and agitation on my part and that's what makes the question so difficult. Most repairs are so simple and easy it seems a crime to charge for them. Arranging for the repair takes longer than the repair itself. My great hope is to help people fix their own lighters with these videos and articles on the website. I imagine a repository of videos and documented mechanisms the likes of which has never been seen! I understand that not everyone is "handy" but if one can cut their own fingernails then they are capable of most vintage lighter repair.😜 Back around to your question though, on an individual basis, get ahold of me here: dependableflame.com/contact-us We'll discuss. I do not work on butane lighters. I am glad you love the videos, the compliments mean the world, this channel is my blood and soul.✌️

[@jimgee2676]

@@DependableFlame i totally understand thanx for the quick response

[@terrancejohnson2827]

Can I ask you a question as a person who has two of those and wants to get them back up and running. I heard tells that you can use a little kerosene in it is that true or not let me know. Even though I never use lighters I just always wanted them working.

[@DependableFlame]

I think it would technically work but your lighter would stink and probably burn weird. If you want it to work correctly, I would use Zippo fuel or Ronsonol.✌️

[@terrancejohnson2827]

@@DependableFlame ok thanks just wanted to know so I don't mess it up.i find some of that Zippo lighter fuel before I start. Thanks.

[@garyacker7388]

I've had a hard time getting the cotton back in the tank. I haven't replaced my wick though. My Zippo is 58 years old. Having trouble getting it to light when it's cold. Will the wheel wear out. By the way its been almost 10 years since I carried it. Clean the chimney?

[@DependableFlame]

The wheel can become worn but it's not all that common unless the lighter has been abused or really used hard. I would tear it down and give it a thorough cleaning and replace all the expendable materials(wick, wadding, flint) then see how it performs. Getting the wadding back in a Zippo should not be difficult.✌️

[@garyacker7388]

@@DependableFlame thanks it's 58 years old

[@badlix2309]

Hi, if you don't have an original Zippo wick, is there a way to make a wick with what you have at home? I've seen videos on KZbin where they make the wick with medical cotton. Is this a valid alternative?

[@DependableFlame]

You could possibly come up with a common household item to use as a wick which might cause you to inhale some chemical that is not meant to be burned or you could spend a few dollars and purchase the proper wick in the first place: dependableflame.com/what-kind-of-wick-should-i-use-in-my-vintage-petrol-lighter ✌️

[@delacruzvideos2238]

I have a newer lighter too it’s skinny and runs on butane I believe but it went out today you have any idea how I can fix it?it’s a Las Vegas skinny flip open lighter like a zippo longer and thinner but you hold the gas like a normal lighter but by clicking it instead of using the rolling things

[@DependableFlame]

I'm sorry, I do not work on butane lighters.✌️

[@user-td3fk4ky4l]

I have two crystal Lighter that need to be repaired. Can I mail them to you?

[@DependableFlame]

I no longer do repairs via the mail.✌️

[@78a67h]

This lighter servicing gave you more trouble than it should. You know why: Don't mess with a Masonic lighter!

[@ARCSTREAMS]

perhaps you know how many millilitres it take to fill a zippo? also i tried using paraffin lamp oil in mine and it was not lighting or when lit left lot of smoke i tried letting sit a day out of its case to dry it out and refilled with zippo fluid but still giving me hard time lighting and still smokes i figured there must be some left over paraffin in it that still messing it up perhaps , will the smoky stuff eventually go away after a few proper fills with zippo fluid? and what should i do let it dry out again or keep it flaming till all the stuff is gone and refill again?

[@tikkidaddy]

Paraffin lamp oil is not volatile enough to properly work in a Zippo. Use Zippo , Ronsonol or plain white camping gas like off brand Coleman fuel. Remove the wadding and wick. Wash out the insert with denatured alcohol, carb cleaner. Repack as shown here. Fill with proper fluid.

[@tikkidaddy]

Zippo states that it takes about 9ml. of lighter fluid to refill a completely dry Zippo. This is the amount that fits into the small aluminum canister you can get online

[@ARCSTREAMS]

@@tikkidaddy ok but just because the canister can hold a certain volume of fluid does not mean that is what should be put in there, it should be dependant on how much fluid the cotton material will absorb adequately and not over fill , but maybe 9ml is the right amount for the material

[@ARCSTREAMS]

@@tikkidaddy ok so what should i do with the wick and wadding? just let it dry on its own or also soak it in rubbing alc to remove the oily stuff then dry?

[@ARCSTREAMS]

@@tikkidaddy thx for the love but my question again was what should i do with the wick and packing material once i take them out of the insert?

[@tonynapoli5549]

👍👍👍

[@Rick-fz7tt]

How do you make fluid last longer in a zippo?

[@lusciouskollektibles8663]

Not much you could do. Zippo will consume more fuel than other lighters due to its increased fuel delivery and due to the fact that it's not an automatic lighter unlike the Ronson Standard and being an open-type insert type lighter that the Zippo is. The increased fuel delivery is one of the features that make the Zippo windproof. All you could do to minimize evaporation is not to fidget with your Zippo and keep the lid closed when not in use. You can try the anti-evaporation rubber gaskets being sold in the market, but I don't think it's the best option and best fit for a Zippo with the usage practicality in mind. I did some testing on Zippo's fuel economy: One full fuel filling lasts 10 days under heavy use.

[@Rick-fz7tt]

@@lusciouskollektibles8663 Thank you for the update on zippos.

[@vinniehandymanllc7053]

SMIB

[@anthonycastellina]

I have an easier way send it back to zippo they have lifetime warranty it works or they fix it free 😎 but now ronson even tho zippo owns them now is a completely different story 😀

[@DependableFlame]

Some folks like doing things for themselves rather than trusting in someone else.✌️

[@anthonycastellina]

@@DependableFlame this is true and you know it’s done correctly when you do it yourself, I wish they would make replacement flint wheels for ronson especially since they are reproducing the old models in Japan I have a bunch of old ronson that I took apart and cleaned but the only way I can get them to spark is by doubling the flint to get more pressure on the wheel

[@collecter3456]

@@anthonycastellina I believe they sell aftermarket flint wheels for zippos, would those fit?

[@lusciouskollektibles8663]

True that. And I'm very grateful for Zippo's gesture of free repairs for life. What makes it yet even more impressive is, Zippo's been doing free repairs for life since day one the company existed down to this very day. Catch is though, Zippo is not about to fix your "original" insert that's why you really have to get to work if you want to save your original. If the original really can no longer be saved, next best thing is to buy a Zippo with a period correct insert your case needs.

[@tonynapoli5549]

👍👌👌👌

[@jerrybigrig]

😎👍😎

[@erics423]

i think you put the wick in the wrong way "next time try from the top"

[@DependableFlame]

Hey Eric, thanks for the input. Can you tell me how that would make any difference?✌️

[@erics423]

@@DependableFlame it would make it a lot easer to see the wick and pull it down

[@erics423]

@@DependableFlame it would make it easer to see

[@DependableFlame]

@@erics423, ease is a subjective matter my friend. I have done it both ways but find that going in from underneath suits me better. In the end, all that matters is that the wick is in the correct position, huh?✌️

[@joshgentry-rp7lu]

Help me my Zippo won't spark or light worth a damn

[@DependableFlame]

Follow along with the demonstration in the video.✌️

[@tom66909]

I have a USELESS but cool looking “Zippo SLIM” impossible junk won’t light more than once. I’ve done everything And still is a lemon.

[@tom66909]

@@gavin.lannan I did 2 weeks ago. Thanks

[@tom66909]

@@gavin.lannan Zippo sent me back my slim- keep in mind I gave them a detailed description of my issues and it seems they only tightened the hinges. It’s still a useful lighter only if you need it to work for 3 days. Slim Zippos are garbage apparently.

[@tom66909]

@@gavin.lannan Zippo sent me back my slim- keep in mind I gave them a detailed description of my issues and it seems they only tightened the hinges. It’s still a useful lighter only if you need it to work for 3 days. Slim Zippos are garbage apparently.

[@jimmy66603]

My flame always flickers and makes a noise like a chinòok helicopter. Ive installed a new wick in the S shape. I made sure the wick was central inside the wadding. I made sure the end of the wick goes all the way to the bottom. Ive used zippo fuel. Ive used ronsonol fuel. Ive set the wick at different heights. Ive moved the wick forwards. Ive moved it closer to the wheel. But no matter what ive tried, the flame still stutters and makes a noise. Any ideas?

[@DependableFlame]

Is it possible that there is some kind of oil or silicone spray residue present in the chimney?✌️