Wind resistant lighters (aka Zippo) are a popular item among smoking, camping, and candle-lighting enthusiasts. While these lighters are very durable, after some long term use a few problems may occur. The butane that fuels the lighter may run low or the flint that creates the lighters spark may have been warn down. Below is a thorough explanation on how to complete both maintaining tasks. These steps are easy to accomplish, affordable, and will help keep your wind-resistant lighter working for a long time.

Warning: when disassembling the lighter and using the lighter fluid, please avoid open flames and promptly clean up any spills.

Step 1: Materials

Butane
Flint
Flathead Screwdriver

That's all! Isn't this easy?

Step 2: Refueling

Checking the butane levels in your Zippo is the easiest and quickest step, therefore should be the one you consider first if the lighter isn't producing a flame.

Step 3: Remove the Lighter

Pull firmly on the top of the lighter to remove the cover. The section to the left in the photo contains the fuel and flint. The section to the right is the case.

Step 4: Prepare the Butane

Purchase a bottle of lighter fluid specifically for lighters. I used the Ronsonal brand. I prefer this brand because the top of the bottle fits perfectly into the hole for the fuel in the Zippo. Open the top of the lighter fluid so the spout is pointing up and ready to dispense lighter fluid.

Step 5: Fuel It!

Identify the small hole in the middle of the soft bottom of the lighter. Place the applicator of the lighter fluid in the hole and allow the fluid to flow into the lighter until the bottom of the lighter becomes visibly damp.

Step 6: Reassemble

Holding the lighter upside down, replace the lighter into the case. Once it is snugly back inside the case, use the lighter and spark a flame!

Step 7: Replacing the Flint

Replacing the flint of a wind-proof lighter is slightly more difficult that refilling the lighter fluid, but not by much. You will want to begin by assembling the materials listed below and again removing the lighter from it's case.

Lighter
Flint
Flathead screwdriver

Photo credit: http://www.zippo.com/product.aspx?id=1024748

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Yellow-flat...

Step 8: Removing the Flint

Identify the small screw to the left of the hole you used to fill the lighter fluid (on the bottom of the lighter). Use a flathead screwdriver to loosen the screw until it easily pulls out of the lighter.

Step 9: Replace the Flint

Pull the screw all the way out of the lighter. Once it is out there should be a small cylindrical object that is separate from the screw (as indicated by the finger in the second photo). This is the flint.

Note: If there is no flint or it is very small, this means that your flint needs to be replaced.

Steps for replacing the flint:

Open your package of flints.
Remove only one.
Place it into the hole where the screw was removed with the flat sides of the flint on the top and bottom.
The flint should slide easily to the top of the lighter through the hole.

Step 10: Replace the Screw

Place the screw back into the lighter and firmly tighten it with the flathead screwdriver.

Step 11: Reassemble the Lighter

Place the lighter back in the case. Spark a light and enjoy your lighter!

Note:

If your lighter still isn't working, there may be an issue with the wick or the mechanics of the lighter itself. Those issues are more difficult to fix and will require more detailed instructions.