About flashlights’ maintenance

Flashlights’ maintenance is essential to prolong the life of them. How do you care and maintain your flashlights? There are some suggestions, which may help keeping flashlights in good condition.

Cleaning and inspecting the flashlight body
First off, look over the body of the flashlight, especially around the bezel and lens. Check to see if there are any visible signs of any damage. Use a small nylon brush to loosen any dirt or mud that may have become stuck. And for lens’ dust and dirt, use a microfiber cloth dipped into some soapy water and carefully wipe over the lens.

Cleaning the threads
The threads should have a smooth action when unscrewing. If they feel gritty or unsmooth, there may be any dirt or dust has got onto the threads. After you have the flashlight disassembled with the battery removed. It’s time to clean the threads on the body. Remove the O-ring seal if it shows visible signs of damage. Rub some Isopropyl alcohol with using a soft cloth around the threads. The O-ring should be removed easily after you cleaned any dirt and grease. If the O-ring is stuck, use a ring and seal pick tool to loosen. Replace a new O-ring seal if it was damaged.

Lubricating the threads
After cleaning the threads on the body of your flashlight. Then to apply some lubricant to both the threads and O-ring. Use some lubricating oil around the threads sparingly using a cotton swab. And it’s important to use the correct type of oil and suitable lubricant. Generally, petroleum based jelly may deteriorate O-rings over time.

Check for oxidized or dirty contacts
Check both the tail and head of the flashlight for corrosion and dirt. Use a clean cloth to remove any grease or dirt from all the shiny metal contacts. Make sure the body of the flashlight is screwed back the correct way. And check if the switch works fine.

Keep up this simple maintenance activity for your flashlights 1 or 2 times a year, and it will help them stay in good condition. If you have other suggestions, can share freely.

I have yet to need to change worn out o-rings on lights. By the time they need changing, the extras they give you will be dry rotted as well.

Funniest thing I have read in a while around here. Party on my friend. :smiley:

The ones I put grease on threads attracted dust, sand dirt and grit. Flashlights need little maintenance IMO, just clean the contacts & use healthy cells.

Looks like Xtar is going to release their flashlight/charger/battery maintenance kit……

nah to all of that

if they quit working, i go see why

none of this saves time, imho

wle

Flashlights don’t need maintenance. Does your stereo receiver need maintenance?

Yep, good stuff!

You forgot to add Bacteria cleaning to your steps. We all know there's a lot of nasties going around now.

1) Take Isopropyl Alcohol and apply generously to a clean cloth.

2) Wipe generously on flashlight body and batteries completely

3) Wash hands

4) Give yourself a hug

Hilarious… :white_check_mark: :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :+1: :nerd_face:

I have to change the needle and dissemble and clean the contacts every now and then :smiley:
On some of my equipment i’ve even had to swap out a vacuum tube or two :laughing:

True, the older stereo equipment needed replacement tubes and the older flashlights needed replacement bulbs.

I will never upgrade, you young ones and your transistor radios :stuck_out_tongue:

I have cleaned the bare metal for good contact on some heavily used lights and re-lubed threads but thats about it.

I had a light stop running because the bare metal had too much gunk on it but a q-tip fixed that.

Flashlight maintenance for me is:

  • Remove the old dark lube off the threads with a rag (ex. inside of an old sock)
  • Take a toothpick and add new lube (ex. Super Lube ) to the threads and O-rings. I found using a cotton swab leaves cotton threads behind.
  • Clean the contact points on the springs and battery with a cotton swab and isopropyl alcohol

Lucky. I’ve had to swap out the o-rings on a few of my twisties. I kept the replacements inside the original ziploc baggies and they were just like new.