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Tsubota Pearl Queue & Bolbo Maintenance Guide

How to Maintain and Troubleshoot Your Tsubota Pearl Queue or Bolbo Lighter

If your lighter isn’t sparking like it used to, a bit of simple upkeep can get it back in action. These lighters are built to last, but like anything mechanical, they need occasional care. Here’s a quick guide to keeping your Queue or Bolbo lighter in top shape.

⚠️ Quick Warnings

  • Wick Maintenance: Keep the wick at just over 3 mm. If it gets too short, it can’t be pulled out. Use pliers gently, but don’t yank. Trim the blackened tips with nail trimmers.

Step 1: Check or Replace the Flint

  • Flint Replacement: Replace when it's about 1/3 its original size. A worn flint means weak sparks and poor ignition.

  1. Remove the flint assembly by pulling the wheel unit straight out. Do not twist.

  2. Inspect the flint. If it’s worn down, swap it out.

  3. Tighten the bottom screw on the flint holder. This helps the spring apply pressure to the flint.

  4. Reinsert the wheel unit with the red dot facing outward.

🔧 Tip: Always keep spare flints on hand. A worn flint is the most common reason a lighter stops sparking.

Step 2: Adjust & Replace the Wick

Make sure there’s at least 3 mm of wick visible at the top of the lighter. If it’s too short, gently pull it up with pliers and trim the blackened end with nail clippers.

🔥 Keeping the wick at the right length ensures a steady flame—and helps it burn fuel instead of itself.

Need a new wick? Grab a replacement here and keep your flame going strong.

Step 3: Refill with Lighter Fluid

  1. Unscrew the bottom cap.

  2. If the cotton inside is white, it needs fuel. Add a few drops of Zippo or Zippo-style fuel at a time.

  3. Stop when the cotton turns a light gray.

  4. Screw the cap back in.

  5. Wipe down the lighter and wash your hands before lighting.

💡 Add fluid slowly. You want damp, not dripping. Fuel should soak in, not pool.

Step 4: Clean the Wheel

  • Use a toothbrush or small brush to clean debris from the flint wheel.

  • This helps maintain good spark contact and smooth turning.

You're Good to Go

With regular maintenance, your Tsubota Pearl lighter will last for years and look better doing it. If problems persist, double-check flint tightness, wick length, and fuel levels; they solve 90% of issues.


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Have questions in mind?
See our various FAQs below

Refills

Ingredients

General Candle FAQ

Subscriptions

How to use a Refill Candle?

1. Container Specifications: Ensure you use a suitable container to burn this candle. The container should be approximately 2.75 inches in width and 3 inches in height.

2. Candle Size and Container Volume: This candle is approximately 6.5 oz. Ensure that your chosen container has a volume greater than 7 oz.

3. Preferred Containers: Recommended containers include straight-sided glassware, mason jars, cocktail glassware, Light Provisions glassware, or ceramic mugs. These types provide optimal performance.

4. Unsuitable Containers: Do not use bowls or plates for burning Refill candles. Refill candles are designed to collapse into a vessel with walls (such as our glassware).

5. Securing the Candle: If the container’s bottom surface is uneven, causing the candle to tilt, you may soften the bottom of the candle with a brief exposure to a flame to help it adhere to the base. Alternatively, our wax-based Stickum can be used for extra stability.

6. Wick Tabs: Do not remove the metal wick tabs at the bottom of the candle; they are crucial for keeping the wick upright and centered. If you notice the wick tab shifting as the candle burns down, and are concerned about the flame proximity to the glass, Stickum can be applied to secure the wick in place.

7. Burning Maintenance: The wick may develop a 'mushroom' shape after burning, which is normal. Always trim off the mushroomed part before relighting to ensure a cleaner burn. Keep the wick trimmed to about 0.5 inches, which is slightly larger than our standard 0.25 inch recommendation.

8. Clean Out & Reuse: Once done, clean out your vessel by sticking it in the freezer for an hour and popping out frozen wax with a butter knife. Rinse with warm soapy water.

What are some suitable vessels that I can use?

Anything that can hold over 7 oz in liquid volume and at least 2.75 inches wide and 3 inches high. Examples include: mason jars, straight-sided rocks glasses, whiskey glasses, ceramic mugs, glassware or tins from our previous collections, or our signature ripple glass

Just please don't use bowls or plates.

Feel free to Send Us a photo if you're unsure.

Are Refill candles just pillars?

Nope! We originally set out to make pillars, but during testing, they’d collapse. When we burned them in our glassware, they melted down and burned evenly like a container candle, about 25 hours. Same great wax, easier cleanup, just made to live inside a vessel.

Why don’t you use only essential oils in your candles?

Essential oils may be natural, but they’re not always safe or practical for candle use. Many evaporate too quickly, degrade under heat, or can trigger respiratory irritation when burned. The selection is also extremely limited, only a small number of essential oils are even available, and fewer still are stable or strong enough to survive a burn cycle in a candle. On top of that, producing them is resource-intensive; it can take hundreds of pounds of plant material to yield a single pound of oil, raising sustainability concerns.

But aren’t essential oils more “natural”?

“Natural” isn’t a regulated term, and it doesn’t guarantee superior safety, sustainability, or performance. Arsenic is natural; so is poison oak. We don’t use buzzwords or fear to sell products. We focus on what’s proven to be safe, effective, and responsibly made - regardless of whether it comes from a lab or a lavender field.

Are fragrance oils safe to burn?

Yes - when specifically formulated for home fragrance. We use fragrance oils that comply with IFRA (International Fragrance Association) standards, which are based on toxicology reports and exposure safety data. These oils are engineered to perform consistently in candles without compromising air quality or user health.

What is IFRA, and why does it matter?

IFRA is the global authority on fragrance safety. It sets science-based limits on how and where specific ingredients can be used, drawing from toxicological studies and ongoing safety reviews. Compliance helps ensure that the fragrance ingredients in our products are safe for regular, long-term use.

Must I trim the wick before every light?

Absolutely! Trimming the wick to 1/4 inch helps your candle burn cleaner, last longer, and throw scent more effectively - with less soot and a steadier flame.

Need a wick trimmer? Thought you might ask.

What are some ways I can reuse my candle glass (or tin?)

Popular Ways to Reuse:

Cocktails, beverages, cold brew coffee

Plants or wildflowers

Bathroom vanity: water glasses, toothbrush or utensil holder, makeup, lipstick, cotton balls, etc

Dessert: perfect for ice cream, affogato, chocolate mousse, cheesecake, etc

Candles: a holder for smaller candles like tea lights, votives, or our sustainable refill candles

How do your candle subscriptions work?

We offer two delivery frequencies:

  • Monthly: 20% off
  • Bi-Monthly: 10% off

After your third delivery, you can:

  • swap scents
  • cancel or pause your subscription
  • add one-time purchases
  • start a new subscription with the same discount

You can manage everything through your customer portal at lightprovisions.com. Log in with Shop Pay or your email, then click Manage Subscriptions.

How do I modify my subscription?

Once you've completed three subscription cycles, you can:

  • Change your delivery frequency
  • Swap scents
  • Skip a shipment
  • Update Payment or Shipping Info
  • Add one-time products or new discounted subscriptions

To do this, log in to your account at lightprovisions.com, then select Manage Subscriptions.

What products are available for subscription?

Most of our candles are eligible. However, the following are excluded:

  • Lighters
  • Limited Editions
  • Bundles
  • Merchandise
  • Accessories

Want 10 or more of the same products for a bulk discount? feel free to reach out to us at hello@lightprovisions.com

When will I be charged?

You’ll be charged automatically before each scheduled delivery, unless you’ve paid in advance. Be sure your payment info stays current to avoid disruptions.

Can I cancel my subscription?

Only after your first three orders. Once that’s done, you’re free to cancel or pause anytime from your portal. Until then, we ask that you stick it out - this helps us plan inventory and keep your discount program sustainable.

What happens if a candle in my subscription is unavailable?

Here's how we handle it:

  • Out-of-season candles: These are temporarily unavailable and will return with the right season.
  • Out-of-stock candles: Sign up for alerts on the product page—we’ll restock ASAP.
  • Discontinued candles: We’ll contact you and offer a replacement or let you pick a new scent at no extra cost.

How do I update my shipping address or payment method?

After the third delivery, you can log in to your subscription portal to update:

  • Your shipping address
  • Payment Information
  • Delivery Schedule

Important: If you’ve moved, update your address before your next order or contact us ASAP. We aren’t responsible for orders sent to outdated addresses.

What if I'm out of town during a scheduled shipment?

Let us know before the charge date and we’ll help you skip the delivery. You can also manage this through the portal.


Are subscriptions automatically renewed?

Yes. All subscriptions auto-renew unless canceled. You’ll get an order confirmation and reminder email before each renewal, with a link to manage or cancel.


Can I return a candle from my subscription?

Check our Returns Policy for details. If something arrives damaged or isn’t right, we’ll sort it out. If a product is discontinued and you don’t want a replacement, we’ll issue a refund or store credit.