For your lighter, so you have to look for a worthy alternative. You don’t want to “feed” the accessory with just anything, because in this case it will quickly become unusable. How can I replace gasoline for Zippo lighters without damaging the product itself? Experienced users identify several brands of fuel that are suitable for safe refueling.
Royal
Royal gasoline is considered universal look fuel that can be used to refill any type of lighter. It is produced by the Dutch company Eurofill B.V. Fuel is sold in small 125 ml canisters. The liquid has no foreign odors, burns well, and does not clog the lighter. However, some users complain that it evaporates much faster than the original Zippo fuel, which, of course, is not critical, but unpleasant. One refill is enough for 6-7 days of intensive use of the accessory.
5%
Newport
Newport lighter fluid is “super clean”, as its British manufacturers claim. This gasoline is also used for washing watch mechanisms and degreasing metal surfaces, refilling soldering irons and other heating elements.
Clipper
The flammable liquid is sold in tin cans with a capacity of 133 ml. Gasoline is produced in Spain and is recommended for all types of lighters, including Zippo. Original gasoline does not have a strong odor, ignites well, and ignites well in the cold. One refill lasts for a week.
Gasoline "Galosha"
Despite its strange name, this flammable liquid today it is very popular. The product is manufactured by direct distillation of carbohydrate raw materials (low-sulfur oil, gas condensate) in Ryazan. The liquid is clear and has a sweetish odor. In addition to refueling, gasoline is used as a solvent, for cleaning parts, washing equipment, and as a cleaner for power tools.
Among the disadvantages of “Galoshes”, the following nuances can be noted:
- one refill lasts for 4-5 days, which is less than previous brands;
- the lighter is difficult to light in the cold;
- more pronounced odor;
- the flame smokes a little.
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Especially for readers of our blog, a 5% discount on the entire assortment of the store using the promotional code BLOG
Of course, the opinions of users of “eternal” accessories are divided - some say that the fuel is not much different from the original gas station, while others claim that galosh gasoline negatively affects the wick of the lighter. But if it is not possible to refuel the accessory with original fuel, then this brand can become a temporary help.
Runis
Another domestic purified liquid for refilling lighters, catalytic and multi-fuel heating pads. Runis gasoline is also used to clean surfaces and remove oily and greasy deposits. One refill lasts only three days, even with sporadic use. When burned, it produces soot. Gasoline has a fairly noticeable odor and evaporates quickly. However, its cost is several times less than that of foreign analogues, which explains so many shortcomings.
Get it inner part(insert) from the lighter body (Fig. 1). Prepare a can of Zippo Premium Lighter Fluid and lift up the filler spout. Lift up the corner of the felt pad on the bottom of the insert to expose the cotton balls. Take a can of fuel and point the filling spout into the cotton balls (Fig. 2), carefully saturate the material so as not to overfill. Be careful when refilling your lighter to avoid getting any liquid in your eyes as this may cause irritation. In case of contact with eyes, rinse thoroughly with water. Place the insert back into the lighter body, before lighting it, make sure that there are no fuel residues on the surface of your hands and the lighter, otherwise wipe with a napkin and let it air for 2 minutes. Close the fuel canister and make sure that there is not a drop of this liquid left nearby - it is highly flammable. If you store your Zippo lighter in your pocket, we recommend that you carry it in an upright position, with the bottom down, especially after the first refill.
How to change flint?
Remove the insert from the lighter body. Turning the insert over reveals the head of the screw that holds the spring that secures the flint. Carefully unscrew the screw, remove the spring and the remainder of the used silicon from the hole (Fig. 3). Make sure there is nothing left there, place the new flint in the hole, then insert the spring and tighten the screw. Make sure the screw is tightened as far as necessary so that you can close the lighter easily.
How to change the wick?
Remove the insert from the lighter body. Turning the insert over reveals the head of the screw that holds the spring that secures the flint. Carefully unscrew the screw, remove the spring and the remaining used silicon from the hole. Remove the felt pad from the insert - using tweezers or tweezers, remove all of its cotton filling (cotton balls) from the inside of the insert. Place the wick into the insert, pulling it from the bottom through the smoke hole using tweezers. Make sure that the length of the wick matches the height of the windproof part of the insert. Place the filling material back into the insert, placing the wick in waves in the intervening layers of cotton (Fig. Basic Ingredients). Reinsert the felt pad. Make sure there is nothing left in the flint hole before placing a new flint, inserting the spring and tightening the screw. Make sure the screw is tightened as far as necessary so that you can close the lighter easily.
Why does the fuel (gasoline) for Zippo lighters evaporate over time?
Due to its natural origin, original Zippo fuel evaporates even when you are not using your lighter. We recommend that you fill your Zippo before a long trip or excursion. Periodically refill your Zippo lighter as needed. Problems that arise when using a Zippo lighter. We hope you are using Genuine Zippo Fuel and Flint as they have been specially designed and created to ensure that your Zippo lighter performs at its best. The material from which silicon is made from another manufacturer can damage the wheel of the Zippo mechanism, and, accordingly, your Zippo lighter. It is also necessary to ensure that the wick in the inside of the lighter insert is positioned neatly and correctly (see instructions above).
Identification codes on the bottom of Zippo lighters!
Over the years, reliable and convenient, Zippo lighters have become widely popular and valuable among collectors. One of the main factors of value is the age of the lighter. But how can it be determined? Very simple. The code located on the bottom of the lighter determines the month and year of production of each specific model. However, the code on the bottom of the lighter is necessary not only for collection purposes, but also so that you can find out the production date of lighters returned for repair. Deciphering the code allows you to find out not only the release date of the lighter, but also its name and series.
Table of decoding identification codes for Zippo lighters.
| Year | Regular lighter Left-hand side | Regular lighter Right side | Narrow lighter Left-hand side | Narrow lighter Right side |
| 1933 | Pending patent | |||
| 1937 | Patent 2032695 | |||
| 1942-1946 | Black Crackle, Patent 203695 (the patent number was misspelled, it should have been Patent 2032695.) | |||
| c.1949-c.1957 | Patent 2517191 pending patent | |||
| From 1949 to 1957, Zippo markings used mixed types of dies. Also, between 1955 and 1957, a date was used to mark lighters, but the specifics of this marking are uncertain. Since 1959, Zippo lighters have been coded using the date. | ||||
| c.1951-c.1957 | Patent 2517191 | |||
| 1957 | . . . . | . . . . |
||
| 1958 | Patent . . . . | 2517191
. . . . | . . . .
| . . . .
|
| 1959 | . . . . | . . . | . . . | . . . |
| 1960 | . . . | . . . | . . . | . . |
| 1961 | . . . | . . | . . | . . |
| 1962 | . . | . . | . . | . |
| 1963 | . . | . | . | . |
| 1964 | . | . | . | |
| 1965 | . | |||
| 1966 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 1967 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 1968 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 1969 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 1970 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 1971 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 1972 | | | | | | | | |
| 1973 | | | | | ||
| 1974 | //// | //// | //// | //// |
| 1975 | //// | /// | //// | /// |
| 1976 | /// | /// | /// | /// |
| 1977 | /// | // | /// | // |
| 1978 | // | // | // | // |
| 1979 | / | // | // | / |
| 1980 | / | / | / | / |
| 1981 | / | / | ||
| 1982 | \\\\ | \\\\ | \\\\ | \\\\ |
| 1983 | \\\\ | \\\ | \\\\ | \\\ |
| 1984 | \\\ | \\\ | \\\ | \\\ |
| 1985 | \\\ | \\ | \\\ | \\ |
| 1986 | \\ | \\ | \\ | \\ |
The date marking system from January 7, 1986 was replaced by an encrypted year/month coding system, with the year marked in Roman numerals on the right side of the bottom of the case, and the month in Roman letters on the left (A= January; B= February, etc. ).
| Year | Regular and narrow lighter Left-hand side | Regular and narrow lighter Right side | ||
| 1986 | G to L | II | ||
| 1987 | A to L | III | ||
| 1988 | A to L | IV | ||
| 1989 | A to L | V | ||
| 1990 | A to L | VI | ||
| 1991 | A to L | VII | ||
| 1992 | A to L | VIII | ||
| 1993 | A to L | IX | ||
| 1994 | A to L | X | ||
| 1995 | A to L | XI | ||
| 1996 | A to L | XII | ||
| 1997 | A to L | XIII | ||
| 1998 | A to L | XIV | ||
| 1999 | A to L | XV | ||
| 2000 | A to L | 2000XVI | ||
Since 2000, when marking lighters, the Zippo logo is depicted on the left side of the lower part of the lighter body, the letter of the month in the center, and the year of manufacture on the right, instead of Roman numerals.
In 2001, this system was further improved: the designation of the month in the form Latin letters from A to L remains the same, and the year of manufacture now consists of its last two digits, shown on the right side of the lower part of the Zippo lighter body.
| Year | Regular and narrow lighter Left-hand side | Regular and narrow lighter Right side | Zippo multifunction lighter |
|
| Left-hand side | Right side | |||
| 2001 | A to L | 01 | The Zippo MPL gas lighter was first released in 2002. Models produced in February/March 2002 are not marked, and only Zippo MPLs produced in April 2002 and after are marked with a release date. | |
| March 2002 | empty | empty | ||
| 2002 | A to L | 02 | D to L | |
| 2003 | A to L | 03 | A to L | 03 |
| 2004 | A to L | 04 | A to L | 04 |
| 2005 | A to L | 05 | A to L | 05 |
| 2006 | A to L | 06 | A to L | 06 |
| 2007 | A to L | 07 | A to L | 07 |
| 2008 | A to L | 08 | A to L | 08 |
| 2009 | A to L | 09 | A to L | 09 |
| 2010 | A to L | 10 | A to L | 10 |
Makes it possible to significantly extend the time of its use. Periodic replacement of some spare parts, cleaning and refueling are necessary in this case. To replenish the fuel reserves in the accessory, you must follow safety measures, carrying out the procedure away from sources of fire (fireplace, burning candles, fire). It is worth remembering that gasoline vapors flare up very quickly.
The process of refilling a Zippo lighter
Before you start refueling, you need to buy it. Of course, manufacturers recommend using only. To avoid exposing the filling of the accessory to unnecessary risks. Low-quality flammable liquid leads to rapid wear of the wick and poor flame quality. It takes more time to light a lighter filled with regular gasoline. Besides bad smell in this case it will be very obvious. If it is not possible to purchase original gasoline, then you can take worthy analogues of Zippo fuel, of which there are many modern market, but don’t take risks by filling the product with lighter fluid or alcohol.
Step-by-step filling of the lighter with gasoline:
1. First you need to open the lid of the lighter and carefully pull out its “insides”. If the case is being disassembled for the first time, you may have to put in a little effort.
2. The body is put aside for a while. The inside of the product must be turned upside down. On the bottom platform there is felt with the inscription “Lift to fuel”, which translates as “lift to refuel”. Following the instructions, you need to lift the felt. There is cotton wool underneath.
3. The liquid from the canister must be poured onto this cotton wool in small quantity, pressing it in little by little. Manipulations should be continued until all the fibers are completely saturated with gasoline.
4. The protective felt must be replaced. The inner part of the lighter must also be inserted into the body in its original position.
5. It is better to leave the lighter for a few minutes so that the gasoline is well saturated. Hands must be washed thoroughly, getting rid of possible gasoline residues on them.
The accessory is ready for use!
In some cases, after refueling, the lighter does not ignite. Then you should repeat all the previous steps and add more gasoline. It is recommended to clean the lighter simultaneously with refueling, so as not to disassemble it again in the future. If you fill the accessory over the sink, it will be easier to clean up after all the manipulations.
Do not overfill the lighter with gasoline, so that after further use it will not end up on fire. Refilling should be stopped when the cotton wool is completely saturated. If the Zippo does not light, you can turn it upside down to allow the wick to soak thoroughly. Do not pour too much fuel into the lighter in one fell swoop, otherwise it will simply spill and create an unsafe environment. You cannot carry out the refueling process on varnished or wooden surface, because gasoline can damage it. You should pull out the insert very carefully so as not to damage the “filling” in the form of flint and wick.
If you are planning a long-term hike, then it is better to take care of refilling the lighter in advance, “reinforcing” it properly. However, you also need to take a can of gasoline with you on your trip. Special branded fuel containers are designed so that their use in hiking conditions is very simple. If you fill it up correctly, the next “feeding” will not be needed soon.
For buyers
We ask you to familiarize yourself with the most frequently asked questions from our clients. If you have not found the answer to your question, Contact us .
Windproof lighters
How can I repair my lighter?
The official representative of Zippo in Russia, the Avankorp company, provides a full range of warranty services for your Zippo lighter*. For free warranty repair of your lighter, you must provide it to us in any way convenient for you:
- Send the lighter by Russian Post to the address: 127015, Moscow, st. Vyatskaya, house 27, bldg. 5 (for Avancorp LLC)
- Bring it to us at the address Moscow, st. Vyatskaya, house 27, bldg. 5, 4th floor (company secretariat)
Make sure that the lighter is provided with the necessary explanations about the malfunction (the sooner the technician identifies the problem, the faster the lighter will be returned to its rightful owner). We will send the lighter back by Russian Post to as soon as possible and at your own expense!
* Please note that the restoration appearance lighters are not covered by the Zippo Lifetime Warranty.
Why does the production date of the lighter not coincide with the production date of the insert block?
There is a strong, but, alas, erroneous opinion that the year and month of production of the lighter (imprint on the bottom of the case) and the similar date on the wall of the insert block ("insert") must coincide, and this indicates the originality of the lighter. But this opinion is false, since the production of plug-in blocks and lighter bodies occurs on different production lines, and the combination of these two parts is carried out by the assembler. At the same time, in frequent cases, there is an “overlap” of dates and this results in a discrepancy, which in no way affects the originality of the lighter.
Why does Zippo lighter fuel evaporate so quickly?
Premium fuel for Zippo lighters is petroleum distillate and evaporates even when the lighter is not in use. Keep the lid closed. To reduce evaporation, keep the lighter away from bright sunlight and heat sources such as a radiator. Tip: If you haven't used your Zippo lighter for a long time, refill it anyway if you plan to go outdoors.Is it possible to polish a lighter?
You can clean the surface of your lighter soft cloth And special means for the cleaning. Before using the lighter, make sure you wipe off all the liquid and all the gas has dissipated. Brass lighters can be cleaned with a special high quality brass cleaner following the manufacturer's instructions. Sterling silver can be cleaned with a special high-quality silver cleaner.How do I refill my windproof lighter?
The lighter must be refilled away from sources of fire and flames.
- Remove the inside of the lighter from the housing. Lift up the corner of the felt pad on the bottom of the insert to expose the cotton balls.
- Slowly soak cotton balls with Zippo lighter fuel. Try to proceed carefully to avoid overfilling. If overfilled, fuel will leak out. Avoid getting fuel on your skin, as... it is an irritant. If it does get on your skin, wash the area of contact thoroughly with soap and water. If irritation persists or gets worse, consult a doctor.
- Insert the inner part into the body of the lighter, wipe the entire surface of the lighter so that there is no fuel left on it. Wash your hands before lighting. Make sure the canister is closed and there is no spilled fuel near you. Fuel is highly flammable.
If you store your Zippo lighter in your pocket, we recommend that you carry it in an upright position, with the bottom down, especially after the first refill, especially if it turns out to be full.
Why does Zippo fuel smell different from what was previously offered?
Premium fuels Zippo (Zippo Premium Lighter Fluid) and Ronsonol are created using a new formula, which gives less odor. The new fuel burns cleaner, ignites faster and is less irritating to the skin.Why does Zippo offer both lighter fuel and butane?
Zippo Premium Lighter Fluid is designed for wind-resistant Zippo lighters. Premium butane (Zippo Premium Butane) is used only in Zippo BLU® and Zippo Utility series lighters.How do I change the wick on my windproof Zippo lighter?
If blackness appears on the wick, pick it up with tongs and pull it out until an unused clean part of the wick appears. Cut off the tip of the wick at the top of the wind guard, and straighten the wick. The wick can only be cut twice before it needs to be replaced.
To replace the wick, use tweezers to remove all cotton balls from the combustion chamber. Insert the new wick downwards through the wind guard, pushing it through with tweezers.
Insert the cotton balls into place, placing the wick in waves in the intervening layers of cotton. Remember to trim the wick to match the height of the windshield.
Why does my Antique Brass ZIPPO lighter wear out?
The coating on the Antique Brass lighter body may wear out. This is due to the presence of copper impurities in the coating, which tends to oxidize and fade. This property is a feature of this model and is not a defect.How often should I change the wick in my lighter?
Depends on frequency of use. Change the wick when the lighter does not burn properly or after you have trimmed the wick twice.Do I need to change silicon?
Yes, on average silicon needs to be replaced every few weeks.How do I change the flint in my Zippo lighter?
- Remove the inside of the lighter from the housing.
- Turning the insert over reveals the head of the screw that holds the spring that secures the flint. Carefully remove the screw using a small screwdriver or coin (being careful not to lose the spring).
- Turning the inside of the lighter again right side Remove any remaining silicon (if any) by gently tapping the inside of the lighter on a hard surface.
- Insert the new Zippo silicon into deep hole, from which you removed the spring (the brass tip at the end of the spring is not flint).
- Reinsert the spring, then tighten the screw. Insert the inner part into the lighter body.
Can I buy a silicon spring or felt pad for my lighter?
Replacement parts are not sold, but we replace them with new ones if necessary. Usually, when warranty repairs, the technician identifies problems and determines the need to replace a single replacement part or the entire internal part.Does it matter if I use original Zippo or Ronson products to fill my lighter?
Of course it matters! Fuel, butane, wicks and silicones from Zippo and Ronson are specially manufactured for better work our products. This means that the product spends more time in your hands than in the repair shop.Can I purchase the interior or body of a Zippo lighter separately?
The individual components of the Zippo windproof lighter are not sold separately.Provide troubleshooting tips. What can I do to get my lighter working again?
Make sure the wheel produces sparks. If not, replace the flint. Use only original Zippo fuel, flints and wicks for the best performance of your Zippo lighters. Also suitable for use are fuels, flints and wicks purchased from the USA, Canada or Mexico. Soft material, which is used in some lighter flints not made by Zippo (or Ronson), can clog the wheel, making it difficult to ignite the flame. Make sure the lighter is filled with fuel. If it is primed and the flame does not ignite, check the wick. Trim it and replace it if necessary. Make sure that the wick is properly mixed with the pieces of cotton wool (filling) located in the inside of the lighter.Can I bring my lighter on board an airplane?
If you are traveling outside the United States, check the regulations of your airline or the regulations of the country to or from which you are flying before flying. All domestic flights and most international flights allow you to carry 1 windproof lighter in your luggage. On all US domestic flights, you are allowed to carry up to 2 pre-filled, wind-resistant lighters in appropriate packaging in your screened baggage. New, never refilled lighters can be carried in luggage without restrictions.What is the warranty for Zippo windproof lighters?
Every Zippo windproof lighter can be returned with our famous "It works or we fix it free." guarantee. For information on how to send your Zippo lighter to us for repair, go here.If you have a beautiful or original lighter that is dear to you, do not rush to throw it away because it no longer pleases you with its fire. Lighters come in different shapes, designs, materials from which they are made, and of course they come in gas or gasoline. Surely at least once you have wondered where and how to refill your lighter. In fact, you can do this quite easily yourself at home. The main thing is to be careful and careful.
To do this, we naturally need a lighter in good condition and a gas can for refilling lighters. Before you start refueling, you need to know a couple of rules:- First of all, this is safety. The room in which you are going to refill your lighter should be ventilated and there should be no ignition sources nearby.
- Avoid contact of gas with eyes and parts of skin. It is best to wear gloves and closed clothing.
- It is better to choose old, unnecessary clothes, so that if something happens they are not spoiled by the smell of gas.
- Do not refill the lighter all the way. Gas enters the lighter under pressure and if it overflows, the lighter may explode.
The lighter refill bottle comes with adapters for different valves. Choose the most suitable one for your lighter, it should tight fit onto the valve; in most cases it is not required. When refueling, it is best to hold the cylinder in your left hand and the lighter in your right, but if you are left-handed, then the opposite is true. The lighter should be with the valve at the top, and the cylinder naturally with the stem at the bottom. Then press the lighter firmly against the gas cylinder. for 7-10 seconds, this is enough to fill it. Under no circumstances should you try to immediately check the lighter’s functionality; wait about three minutes for the pressure inside the lighter to completely equalize. Now you know how to refill a lighter correctly.
