Zippo lighters are the most widely used lighters in the world but not everyone is aware of its proper maintenance. You might have gotten it as a gift from someone or it always fascinated you and you finally bought one for yourself and don’t know what to do if a problem arises. Have no worries because you are not the only one. After going through this article, you will know all there is to know about the maintenance of your Zippo.

There are basically two things that you need to take care of in your Zippo, the Wick and the Flint.

When the lighter is brand new, the wick is initially white. Overtime, it becomes black due to the deposits of carbon. This indicates that you need to trim the wick. The wick is around 4 inches long so you can trim it around 2 or three times before having to replace it. Use tweezers to carefully pull the wick until the clean part appears. Trim the blackened top part with scissors. This needs to be done around twice a year.

Now let us take a look at what you have to do if you have to replace the wick. The first step is to remove the insert from the casing, the same way you do when you are refueling it. Use a small flat screwdriver to unscrew the flint spring screw at the bottom of the insert to release the flint spring. The screw is spring loaded, so make sure not to lose it while unscrewing.

Safely keep the dismantled parts aside while you replace the wick so you don’t lose them. Remove the felt pad and keep it aside as well. Now take a pair of tweezers, and pull out the loose wads of cotton one at a time. Try to keep them in the same configuration as you removed them to help you while replacing them.

Insert the new Zippo wick from the chimney and pull it all the way from the bottom such that the wick only reaches the top of the chimney. Bend the wick inside the insert so it does not provide any hindrance to you while you work. Replace the loose cotton wads and try to do it in the exact same configuration that you pulled them out in.

Bend and weave the wick through the cotton wads to make sure it absorbs the right amount of fuel. Replace all the dismantled parts and refuel your Zippo lighter and it will be as good as new.

Replacing a flint is relatively easier than replacing the wick. However, finding the flint is not that easy a task. It is not generally available from local drug stores or gas stations but is only available from dedicated smoking shops. Follow the same steps till you have removed the flint spring as you did while replacing the wick. Remove what is left of the flint by tapping the lighter. Replace the flint with the new one and replace the spring and screw. Refill the lighter and you’re done.

If you need fluid refill instructions for your Zippo lighter check out this guide here.