How to Replace a Zippo Wick

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Remove the insert from the body or shell of the Zippo (by gripping the bottom of the lighter and on either side of the chimney and pulling apart) as if you were going to re-fuel it.

   If the flint spring screw is too tight to unscrew by hand, use a small flat screwdriver to loosen it first.
   
   You can also use the top lid of your lighter to do this as well. , Tip out the flint from the bottom of the insert into the empty shell of the Zippo for safekeeping.
   
   If it does not fall right out, give it a gentle tap and it should fall right out. , Set the Zippo shell aside. , You'll notice that it is not all one big wad of cotton but many small overlapping wads.
   
   As you set them aside, lay them in more or less the same order or configuration as they were inside the insert. (this will be helpful later). , Pull it through so that there is only as much wick in the chimney as will reach the top of the chimney. ,, The pieces each should have some shape that you can fit together like a puzzle. , You should run out of length of wick before you run out of cotton. , Replace the flint.
   
   Insert and screw the flint spring until it won't turn any more.
   
   There is no need to screw too tightly as long as it does screw in all the way so that the lighter will close properly. ,,,
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   Step 2: Unscrew the flint spring found on the bottom of the insert

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   Step 3: but be careful because since it is spring-loaded it might fall out of your hand when it is unscrewed.

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   Step 4: Put the flint spring into the empty shell of the Zippo.

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   Step 5: Remove the felt pad and any spare flints (if you keep spares between the felt and the cotton wadding) and set those too in the Zippo shell.

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   Step 6: Using the tweezers or needle-nose pliers

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   Step 7: pull out the cotton wadding one piece at a time.

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   Step 8: Insert the new Zippo Wick into the wick hole by way of the chimney.

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   Step 9: Using your pliers

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    Step 10: tweezers

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    Step 11: or little finger

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    Step 12: bend the wick within the insert so that it won't fall out through the hole as you work.

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    Step 13: Begin to replace the cotton wadding in reverse order than you pulled it out.

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    Step 14: As you replace the cotton

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    Step 15: make sure to bend and weave the wick through and between pieces of the cotton wadding.

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    Step 16: Replace the felt pad (along with any flints that belong beneath it).

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    Step 17: If you used a bit of the length of the wick as a handle in step 6

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    Step 18: trim the excess wick so that it is level with the chimney.

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    Step 19: At this point

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    Step 20: you might want to re-fuel your lighter and give it a test!.

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    Step 21: Finished.

Detailed Guide

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