Some Hints On How To Fix Or Clean A Zippo Spark Wheel That Barely Throws Any Sparks

Some Hints On How To Fix Or Clean A Zippo Spark Wheel That Barely Throws Any Sparks.
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[@varpet8075]

Play this vid on 1.75x speed

[@RetroOnSpeedDial]

I find his voice really soothing

[@markhuckercelticcrossbows7887]

yup, had an old 90s zippo in my draw, never worked well from new, not once, did it occur to me, to run a small screwdriver across the teeth, of the flint wheel. i use wire wool instead though and soaked it in white spirits, fluffed out the wick, like you suggested, god almighty that darn thing, worked better than new.

[@conradblane6160]

Thank you bro! I finally fixed my vintage zippo. Working like a dream now 🙏🏽 🔥 Blessings from London

[@mstafamalik3676]

I really do appreciated for your tutorial it was really helpful

[@user-ok9hu1jd2v]

After letting the insert soak in vinegar I use a brass wire brush to clean the wheel. To avoid damage to the finish of the insert, cover the areas around the wheel in a thick layer of painters or masking tape. There are alternative methods mentioned in other comments.

[@johnengland8619]

Thanks for the content

[@J.F.K.O]

Thanks for the video. i watched another of your videos yesterday and cleaned it with a knife made a massive difference. Gonna do a wire brush when i have one at my disposal

[@J.F.K.O]

maybe an ultrasonic cleaner can do the job

[@DependableFlame]

@@J.F.K.O, yes that could be helpful. Hopefully one of the days I'll be able to give that a shot and see.✌️

[@Papastatincho]

Lifesaver, it was indeed just rusted, cleaned it by hand with a dremel wire tip

[@danielkoval6922]

Stretching spring did it for me thanks

[@danielkoval6922]

Actually what I’m finding out is lighter fuel can be a big difference I had a old crappy can of zippo fluid that wasn’t working right went out and got done ronsen and it was a 100% better didn’t know lighter lighter fluid has a shelf life

[@daniel2018]

Im still looking for an 1955 one . I love the old ones .

[@PercivalThe23]

whats the difference?

[@scottmcintosh2988]

I got a new Black Crackel and the thing was open like 1/16 , I heard others complain about these sent it back to Amazon got a good one for 7.00 bucks plus 17 . For the lighter

[@tikkidaddy]

Ok, Joe after my previous "rant" you will never guess what I found. The file wheel on my 20 year plus brass Zippo insert actually wiggles back and forth😂 I use the hound dog out of that thing. The hinge is good, replaced everything except the flint spring, but I honestly never have seen an insert do that. I don't "trick" or purposely do things that would damage them. I mean it wobbles sideways between the ears on the rivet. Gonna get a $10 Wal-Mart street chrome and replace the whole shebang😂

[@DependableFlame]

Send it in to the Zippo Repair Clinic, they'll replace it for free.✌️

[@tikkidaddy]

Shipping will be probably close to $10, don't have a computer to print out return requirements etc. If I had 5 or 6 like that I would tho😂

[@tikkidaddy]

That and we are between residences and so I have "Lack of shop tool disease" I hate that because I'm a tinker fixer ...that's why I enjoy your channel so much

[@scottmcintosh2988]

Gas or wd40 , Zippo fluid Naphtha , kerosene all would clean them carb cleaner parts washer too

[@Deathstroke1394]

Really just wanted to know if I had to take out the rivet itself to clean and or change the wheel itself, I mean I’d just clean mine with 99% alcohol and a paper towel to work the gunk out, plus it evaporates pretty quick so I don’t have to worry about making a huge mess on the wheel

[@DependableFlame]

You would have to remove the rivet to remove the wheel but this is typically not necessary.✌️

[@Deathstroke1394]

@@DependableFlame thank you! I’m going to try and keep my flint wheel clean with fluid and stuff, metal brush to work into the teeth of the wheel to make sure I always get sparks

[@hoopoo3721]

I stopped using Zippo lighters because of the flint wheels did not seam to last, shame I did see your video first.

[@sheilamc3420]

Thank you for posting this video! I have a Question: How long should the flint last in a Zippo? Thanks in advance.

[@DependableFlame]

It’s going to depend on how much you use it but I think you should get at least a month or so with heavy use.✌️

[@sheilamc3420]

@@DependableFlame WOWZA, Thanks for the speedy reply! So I should get flints and put in a new one every month? I have never had one before, and it worked GREAT at first for about a month...Hmmm, maybe it's the flint! Thank you again, you're fantastic!

[@DependableFlame]

@@sheilamc3420, you only need to replace it when the flint is ground down to nothing.✌️

[@dylandepuy3715]

You list thatmarlboro cowgirl yet?

[@tikkidaddy]

Take everything out of the insert as normal, spray the whole thing down with carb cleaner to remove carbon build up and the goop from your thumb from striking it, reassemble, new flint, wick and packing if necessary, Ferrocerium dust what people call "flint " because of Zippo largely, is a combination of iron, magnesium and rare earth metals. Same stuff as a Ferro rod. So dissolve the gunk, wash away the dust, just like cleaning a engine. If that doesn't work, you can just replace the whole insert, or drill out rivet for spark wheel, heat wheel to cherry red with torch, quench in water, replace rivet with copper and peen carefully😆

[@TheBootyWrangler]

Any way to sharpen them when they go dull? 😭

[@DependableFlame]

We talked about re-tempering file wheels on the live stream a couple weeks ago but I've never done it myself.✌️

[@PercivalThe23]

better use a steel or brass brush,that way it may not damage the fire wheel...

[@318louise]

Just use a tooth brush works to remove debris ect

[@jamesl.9776]

will toothpaste work?

[@DependableFlame]

Maybe but I think you’d be better off using a solvent.✌️

[@PercivalThe23]

have you known that the hole in the felt is for a spare flint?

[@adamgonzalez130]

Naw it is to insert something little like tool or screwdriver or little pick in to get the felt to come up to put the fuel in, it grabs that felt pad and moves it up with tool from that hole. You can just keep spare flints right under that flint pad.

[@PercivalThe23]

@@adamgonzalez130 i doubt that

[@DependableFlame]

I have always used the hole as Adam described, to insert a pick and pry up the felt pad for fueling. Have seen Zippo instructions that led me to believe they at one time recommended fueling through the hole. I’ve never seen anything instructing to keep spare flint in the hole except the anecdotal opinion of some collectors.✌️

[@PercivalThe23]

@@DependableFlame it makes just most sense to me to put a flint there!(found an old manual,they put the flints also under the felt pad)so,zippo says also different,but i like to use it that way!the question would then still be:what is the hole for?for me i found an answer...

[@DependableFlame]

@@PercivalThe23, I've definitely found many flints underneath the felt pads.✌️

[@pannan80]

Zippo brand flints are worthless,use the flint from a Bic lighter instead....much better sparks.

[@souleaterhere]

@@pannan80 where can i buy them