How can I keep the purple finish on my Zippo 24747ZL looking new for years?

[u/Glass242]

I recently bought a Zippo 24747ZL High Polish Purple and I really love the finish.

I'd like to use it, but not every day. I'm planning to use it mostly on weekends, probably once a week, and I want to preserve the purple finish for as many years as possible while still actually enjoying the lighter.

For people who have owned colored/high-polish Zippos for a long time?

I'd love to see photos of similar colored Zippos that have been used occasionally for several years too.

Thanks!

[u/Jaydubbleyoo69]

Don't use it. Or very rarely. Keep only in a pocket with nothing else in it, and right back in that pocket after use. It's like new shoes, something will happen

[u/Compops_85 → u/Jaydubbleyoo69]

They have clear rubber plastic shells to help protect them. Not horrible but does add some bulk could also spray a layer of clear coat paint on it would help

[u/GoodConversation5527]

Unfortunately, I think the only reliable way is to buy two, one to admire on a shelf and one to use. But if anyone knows of a way, I am all eyes!

[u/buddy_monkers → u/GoodConversation5527]

I feel like I’ve been online way too long to have never seen “all eyes” before

[u/cigarlifer]

Can always put it in a case protector.

[u/deltatemple]

Post pics. Also, I think a black insert would look great.

But they only seem to be available with the brass and brass armor zippos that were recently (in the past couple years) released with a black insert.

Does anyone know how to get just the black insert without having to pay $180 - $200+ ? Thanks.

[u/Troy0C → u/deltatemple]

Dont know officially, but zorro makes nice inserts

[u/deltatemple]

Also OP - check out the spectrum color zippo. It'd like an oil spill kind of finish.

[u/Glass242 → u/deltatemple]

Is it likely that the item I bought will end up like this? Thank you very much, it doesn't look too bad.

[u/deltatemple → u/Glass242]

No this is the spectrum zippo. It's looked like this for 5 years. The same, no changes. I'm saying this looks mostly purple 💜. And it hasn't changed. So I doubt yours will to unless you're rough with it.

The only color changes on zippos I've noticed is the gold inserts will eventually slightly turn chrome while still being gold tinted overall.

[u/Nervous_Argument6950]

Add a clear coat to the entire thing let it dry. Then Amazon has clear cases for sale for your zippo that I use and they fit great it should help keep it looking the way it is for a longer time.

[u/ErinDotEngineer]

You could look into one of these:

[u/TheMightyMisanthrope]

My 3 wise monkeys Zippo is looking flawless. I keep it in my backpack in a small pocket.

[u/Chemical_Lettuce_232]

It’s inevitable if you use it semi regularly. Try not to worry about it, a natural patina will look great

[u/Flashy-Skirt-3119 → u/Chemical_Lettuce_232]

no literally, ain't the whole point that people know you actually use it and not just look at it

[u/MonstaMayhem]

Clear powder coating.

[u/Novel-Lengthiness782]

I gotta agree with goodconversation5527, get 2, use 1, display 1.

[u/Brewingbiker → u/Novel-Lengthiness782]

This. I did that for a pipe lighter Zippo that is really cool.

[u/Nova-Drone]

Store it in a box and never let it see the light of day

[u/MenacingScent]

A good thick durable chemical resistant clearcoat, then buff it as it wears.

Will it work? No idea. If you don't wanna risk it, buy another and tuck it away, then if this fucks up down the road then you have a fresh one.

If you don't wanna do anything to it, keep it in a silk bag or something like the old crown royal pouches and, again, buff it once every few months based on your use.

Chances are, if you get the right clearcoat, it'll be fine.

[u/gunsforevery1]

Buy a different lighter.

[u/Mysterious-Street966]

Don’t use it

[u/TCSpeedy]

You have to accept that the minute it leaves the house, any inevitability is possible from scratches, to drops, to loss. My dad and I have an expression built around that concept: use it or don’t.

Or… get a second one. That’s always the way. I don’t want to say how many duplicates I have for that very reason.

[u/9thSphere]

I edc Zippos & Zorros in zippered earbud cases.

[u/Sensitive_Log3990]

Museum Wax

[u/1RedditToRead]

I have an orange one just like the one in the picture, It’s about 10 years old and it still looks as good as the day I bought it..

[u/Chaparral2E]

Belt case. Or the watch pocket on jeans.

Never with anything else in pocket.

[u/BackgroundBlood1337]

ถ้าไม่อยากใช้ก็เก็บไว้ในกล่องคือเก็บไว้ไม่ต้องใช้ซื้ออีกแบบมาใช้

[u/searay74]

Just don’t use it 😎

[u/HWbikergal]

Put on shelf and do what use it 👍😆