Custom Ronson

[smitdavi]

A few weeks ago I decided to customize my trusty Ronson JetLite

The tools: small screwdriver, paint, and the lighter

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c156/the_studd/IMG_1189.jpg

The Paint:

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c156/the_studd/IMG_1190.jpg

The Sandpaper:

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c156/the_studd/IMG_1191.jpg

Then just sanded it down:

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c156/the_studd/IMG_1200.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c156/the_studd/IMG_1197.jpg

After I sanded it down, I wiped it off:

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c156/the_studd/IMG_1202.jpg

Then I took it apart to paint the separate pieces so it wouldn't stick together when painting it, also taped the tank and other vital parts using duct tape (the only tape I had lol):

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c156/the_studd/IMG_1206.jpg

Gave it 2-3 coats and let it dry for approx 48 hours. Pieced it all back together. Holds up pretty well except where the lid contacts the body on the back. Taken it with me on a few herfs and it rides with me in the car and still looks really good. The textured surface looks really cool too. The pics don't really do it justice:

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/picture.php?albumid=17&pictureid=33

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/picture.php?albumid=17&pictureid=32

[FrequenC]

Looks pretty classy! Nice job.

[Genetic Defect]

looks even better in person :tu

[Boobar]

That's sweet looking, I am going to have to try that.

[Dood]

I like the look!

I would be interested in hearing about the durability of the finish ater you use it for a while.

[smitdavi]

Thanks guys. I'll let ya know how it holds up. So far so good :tu

[TRicker]

I want one with a flame job! Nice work

[longknocker]

Nice!:D

[Coz77]

well done!

[chippewastud79]

Nice work Dave :tu

[dunng]

Very nice! Something to keep me busy this weekend... :ss

[Tio Gato]

That's too cool. Very imaginative indeed. (And excellent pics, thanx.)

[Buckeye Jack]

Damn that looks pretty good! I love my Ronson's, so I may have to do a Scarlet and Gray one. I'll post pics when I decide to do it! Thanks for the idea!

[tenbaseg]

Very cool. I may need to try painting one bright yellow or orange to help me from leaving them in the golf cart. I lost another one this week. :fl

[awsmith4]

Great job! I might have to try that

[e22byrnes]

That is awesome! I love my Ronson like no other. I can't wait to try this.

[smitdavi]

That wasn't the paint that I originally had in mind, but it worked out and I REALLY like it

[parafumar]

how bout some von dutch detailing? :rolleyes:

[av8tor152d]

Neat Idea!

[UK Bro]

Pimp my lighter? Overhaul light? American lighter? looks good and its unique.:cool2:

[DWCR_Bob]

Do you do cars? Or houses?

Nice job.

[Mugen910]

Dave that looks great!!!

[smitdavi]

Do you do cars? Or houses?

Nice job.

If the price is right lol

[Cigary]

I think that looks great. Where did you come up with the idea of doing that? How long has it lasted?

[smitdavi]

I think that looks great. Where did you come up with the idea of doing that? How long has it lasted?

I guess I came up with the idea when it really started to show some wear and tear. I just wanted a more durable surface. Still holding up really good :tu

[AriesOpusX]

Sweet lighter mod! I agree, pinstripe that sucker next.

[poriggity]

Looks like I have something to do if I ever get around to replacing my two that finally crapped out on my after almost 2 years of use.
Scott

[gettysburgfreak]

Nice idea. I went and sanded mine down and like the look of the silver and copper color and left it like that.

[Opusfxd]

mmmmm pretty! I gave a buddy one last Christmas and he's worn it down to the copper. Nice patina on it now.

[Don Fernando]

Nice, can someone make a Ronson Hello Kitty lighter for me and bomb it to Jordan? :ss

[JE3146]

Nice, can someone make a Ronson Hello Kitty lighter for me and bomb it to Jordan? :ss

I hate you all...:hn:hn

[ChicagoWhiteSox]

nice job man:tu

[Bruzee]

Very nice.... I love my Ronson. My wally world quit selling them, so my current one needs to last. Thanks for the pics. Very entertaining.

[sofaman]

Great Job! as for the Ronson I have been useing one for over a year now and have never had a problem with it. Best dam lighter I have ever had and it was only $5

[doblemaduro]

Thanks for the idea. I'm going to have to try that.

[scooter]

That is a cool idea. It is hard to beat the old Ronson! :pi

[loki]

I like it....i may have to give that a go

[smitdavi]

Just an update...only one nick in the paint after some heavy use. Wish I could find a way to make it completely chip resistant

[loki]

Just an update...only one nick in the paint after some heavy use. Wish I could find a way to make it completely chip resistant

clear coat it maybe?

[smitdavi]

maybe..i'll have to do some research

[loki]

maybe..i'll have to do some research

when the flat/mate black is used in automotive applications they have a flat/mate clear that they use to keep the car from rusting/paint bubbling. for what you are using it for it shouldn't cost more then a few bucks if you can find a shop to sell it to you

[Sailchaser]

Making a 3 buck ronson looking like a 50 buck custom lighter, nice idea

[Darrell]

That looks really nice, man. Nice work. :tu

[smitdavi]

That looks really nice, man. Nice work. :tu

Thanks

[groogs]

That looks great, Nice Job.:tu

[dcamacho]

looks cool, i might have to give this a try. thanks man!

[loki]

how long did you wait between coats?

[smitdavi]

how long did you wait between coats?

Whatever the can suggested...I think it was like 15 minutes

[Genetic Defect]

did you do any other custom jobs?

[smitdavi]

Nothing yet Perry....I think I gave away all my extra Ronson's lol

[Genetic Defect]

Nothing yet Perry....I think I gave away all my extra Ronson's lol

:r dang.

[Scottw]

Nice!

[loki]

Whatever the can suggested...I think it was like 15 minutes

I may give it a shot tonight or wait for tomorrow. Thanks for giving me the idea

[nozero]

I like the look!

I would be interested in hearing about the durability of the finish ater you use it for a while.

Nice work and definitely an improvement! I wonder about the durability of the paint too, since I seem to drop my lighters quite often. I might do better with a rubberized paint.
:D

[loki]

i gave it a shot and i think I'm failing...we'll have to wait and see

[Rabidsquirrel]

Where would these typically be in a Walmart? By the registers? I haven't seen any there, or the surrounding area.

[smitdavi]

Where would these typically be in a Walmart? By the registers? I haven't seen any there, or the surrounding area.

usually they are by the "smoking" aisle up front

[dentonparrots]

I wonder what it would turn out after being "blued" like gun barrels. You can actually buy a chemical that turns it black that you just dip it into, then wash/ rub off, I'm sure you'd be able to get some in gun stores. Check out "cold bluing" on youtube to get an idea.

[awsmith4]

Where would these typically be in a Walmart? By the registers? I haven't seen any there, or the surrounding area.

I have never had any luck at Walmart with these but the Rite-Aid (drugstore) always has them in stock.

[smitdavi]

I wonder what it would turn out after being "blued" like gun barrels. You can actually buy a chemical that turns it black that you just dip it into, then wash/ rub off, I'm sure you'd be able to get some in gun stores. Check out "cold bluing" on youtube to get an idea.

that's a cool idea :tu

[smitdavi]

i gave it a shot and i think I'm failing...we'll have to wait and see

well...how did it look. What did you use? C'mon we wanna see some pics :D

[Silound]

I wonder if I could get one powdercoated....that would put a fairly durable finish on it I think. I'm not sure if you can PC a copper body though.

[cbsmokin]

I wonder if I could get one powdercoated....that would put a fairly durable finish on it I think. I'm not sure if you can PC a copper body though.

I'm also not sure placing a lighter in an oven is a good idea. :fl

[loki]

well...how did it look. What did you use? C'mon we wanna see some pics :D

I decided to resand the paint off and give it another shot. still looks like hell but oh well...of course the fact that it's in the mid 40's and raining could have something to do with it

[Smoke Naked]

hows it holding up?

[smitdavi]

hows it holding up?

Holding up really well. The only fatigue in the paint is where I dropped it and a corner took the full brunt of the concrete which chipped off a little. Other than that it holds up great to normal wear and abuse :tu

[smokin machinist]

I'm also not sure placing a lighter in an oven is a good idea. :fl

True, but remove the small screw fastened through the bottom and slide out the internal body.

[jonharky]

That is a cool idea for the lighter

[WildBlueSooner]

Now I need to get another Ronson to try this on! Awesome idea

[TOB9595]

Thank you for the PICS!!!

You showed how to do each step...

NICELY DONE!
Tom

[smitdavi]

Thank you for the PICS!!!

You showed how to do each step...

NICELY DONE!
Tom

Thanks :tu

[ucla695]

Great idea. Looks great! :tu

[alley00p]

Nice job on the lighter! :tu

I think I have a bottle of cold blue in the basement that I use to touch up my competition guns. I guess I'll have to see if I can dig it out and give that a try! :ss




:dance:

[BlackIrish]

Outstanding! Thanks for the how-to.

[skullnrose]

Looks nice!

[kelmac07]

Looks good!!

[boom]

Very nice.... I love my Ronson. My wally world quit selling them, so my current one needs to last. Thanks for the pics. Very entertaining.


Winco has them from time to time....

[jbo57]

Nice! At least you didn't paint it red and crimson. :D

[smitdavi]

Nice! At least you didn't paint it red and crimson. :D

Now Now...do we really wanna go there :D

[loki]

i've gota redo mine next week.

[smitdavi]

i've gota redo mine next week.

Yeah mine is pretty scuffed up from dropping it on the concrete sidewalk/floor a few times. Other than that it holds up great to normal wear an tear

[loki]

Yeah mine is pretty scuffed up from dropping it on the concrete sidewalk/floor a few times. Other than that it holds up great to normal wear an tear

i never fixed mine after the first time I screwed it up

[mrgto]

This maybe a little overboard, but.... If you wet sand the lighter with some 1000+ grit sandpaper and put a couple more coats of paint on it, the finish will be very durable even with heavy use. Wet sanding doesnt remove very much of a previous layer of paint and it gives the next layer something to hold on to. Painting old cars people use up to 5+, to get that mirror finish that looks a mile deep and in between each coat they wet sand the previous layer of paint.

[Steve]

Nice!

I have an old double flame lighter that I am thinking about having a buddy powder coat.

[jbo57]

Now Now...do we really wanna go there :D

This year we do...I'm not saying anything about next year. :)

[cleggstore]

I have some pre-glued wood veneer that would go on a ronson really nice. looks like i have weekend project