Zippo Instructional: Wick Maintenance / Installing a New Wick

Over time the wick of your Zippo Windproof Lighter will turn black which will reduce performance. In this video you will learn how to trim and replace your wick for optimum usage.

[NormSimpson-iwjr]

3 sounds every American man over 60 knows with eyes closed from 50ft. away. A Harley, the slide of a 1911 and a Zippo lighter opening and closing..sounds of memories that never die. Thank you Zippo.

[BlueSkyCountry]

I've carried the same Zippo for the last 15 years, used it heavily and it is still in near mint condition. A Zippo is the only type of lighter that I trust in the long run. For one, it has no fragile parts or a pressurized gas system that often fails due to cold weather. I had used my Zippo in all kinds of conditions, from polar freeze and blizzard to tropical humidity and downpours. All it needs is sufficient airflow and sufficient fuel exposed to the spark jet from the flint. Perfect light every time. I only had to replace a few flints and each wick can last up to 2 years. There are THREE tricks to keep your wicks at optimal condition. ONE: When you replace the wick, NEVER let the wick touch the metal sides of the insert casing. Weave it in an S shape and make sure that the wick is surrounded on all sides by fuel soaked cotton. More fuel will be able to be drawn up the wick in this fashion. TWO: Only trim the wick up to one time maximum before replacing it with a new one. Every time you trim the wick, it gets shorter. Shorter wicks do not draw up fuel from the tank that easily. Keep the wick long, and it will deliver more fuel to the flame area. Better burn + longer wick life. THREE: It takes only 40 seconds or less to refuel a Zippo. If you carry one daily, it does not hurt to take a few seconds every day and refill the lighter. Once again, the more fuel that is able to be soaked into the wick, the longer the wick lasts. When you do not have enough fuel, or the fuel is low, the wick itself begins to be consumed, and you will have to replace it more often.

[zombieclad]

Loads of people I know don’t even know how to maintain a zippo properly I’m glad I do

[veldawells]

Thank you. Extremely helpful. Not something I've done before. Do much faffing around! Used lighter to light candles at home. Only tip I have is, if you have no pliers to take out or insert wick, wrap a piece of sellotape to form a point on the wick. This will allow easy threading through the chimney hole. Took me 40 mins, but I changed it! Woo hoo!

[devonmorris]

Thank you so much, I had no idea you could do this, now instead of replacing the entire wick I still have a full backup, awesome!

[ELISABETHY]

Thank you so much! This tutorial was *exactly* what I needed to get my Zippo working again ❤

Thank you for suggesting needle-nosed pliers and stating that the wick is about 4” long - I had NOT been able to grip firmly enough with my tweezers and was very concerned about pulling out too much wick.

I have been hopping around with absolute JOY because of this video :D

[landunallison]

Instructions unclear, I now have 3rd degree burns on my entire body.

[missyruttencutter]

** Tip/Suggestion for Cutting Tool: **
I wasn’t about to go shell out $$ for a specialized wick trimmer (as my zippo-enthusiast friend recommended)… A top rated comment on a random YouTuber’s wick trimming video advised a wire cutter (mine currently MIA), or nail clippers as an alternative (that sounded kind of suss). So I rummaged around what I had around the house and found the PERFECT tool—— You know those little scissors with the curved blades? The ones that come with almost every “basic” manicure, pedicure or facial hair trimming kit? PERFECT!

Clean cut. No fraying. And I can cut the wick so it’s below the top cage (if that’s your pref.). Same results as if I had purchased the wick trimmer—but no extra money spent. And because you can maneuver inside the cage, no more accidentally over-pulling the wick and having to cut off usable bits. More flame time, less $$$! Totally just discovered this on a whim and had to share 😄.

** BUT REMEMBER, —>DISCONTINUE <— USING THOSE SCISSORS FOR GROOMING, AFTER USING THEM ON YOUR ZIPPO **

[GrayWRLD]

Thank you so much from this video I was able to repair my dad‘s old zippo lighter

[mezlabor]

I dont smoke but I have a zippo as a great way to start camp or cook fires. I actually think a zippo should be in every survival pack for any kind of camping/hiking/skiing etc trips.

[DLionheart]

TYVM for this! Now my beloved "Big Five Zippo" works great again! 😊

[richardfox]

Thank you sir, I managed to retrieve my Zippo from a non usable state to a fully functional item.

[YouTubeOGSinceO-vvjn]

I have a Local Super from the USS Tancondega CVA 14. World War 2 ligher. The wick didn't fit. Lucky the wick hole had a screw you could take out. What a well built lighter. To think some soldier carried that around for years blows my mind. Found it a good will.

[harrycollins]

I own a Zippo lighter as well as a antique Ronson Super Windlite Butane lighter. When I got the Ronson lighter I had to replace the wick as it was found in a second hand store. But it works just as well as my Zippo. Only problem it don't hold as much fuel as the Zippo.

[brettnelson]

In the battle, I pulled the end off the wick. Pulled the wick out and then couldn't get it back through the wick hole. Eventually used some dental floss and tied a constrictor knot (go to Animated Knots by Grog) near the end of the wick and pulled it right through. Lights like the champ it is again.

[giovanniabazia]

I have twenty zippo lighters, even if I don't smoke anymore, but I always carry the shiny chrome zippo with me.

[ShawnJonesHellion]

I took my small Zippo apart to pull the thread up cuz it was hard. The whip factory-installed just like crammed in there. Definitely wasn't a test snake more like a pack that in there then packed the cotton in their type thing

[emersonroth]

O pavio usado nos isqueiros zippo tamanho "menor" ou slin é o mesmo usado no zippo tradicional? Ou seja o pavio é o mesmo para todos os zippo? Help

[nickb]

@Zippo, Honestly is it bad if I'm using Ronsonol Lighter fluid in my Zippo slim lighter? I couldn't find zippo fluid.

[JesseDylanMusic]

@Zippo Mine does not pull up, no matter how hard I pull. Ended up stripping the wick with my tweezers. Tried a pliers and still couldn't yank it up. Urrrrgh...