maintenance

1. Remove o-rings before cleaning to prevent damage. Normally you can just use your fingers, but we also have special tools to make this easier. 
2. If you are performing regular maintenance you can just use with a dry toothbrush, paper towel, tissue, or Q-tip to wipe down the threads.
3. Try to press the swab (or towel) into the threads to get down into the grooves. A toothbrush works great here, but it will also tend to spray dirty stuff around. 
4. You don’t want to use cleaning fluids unless you must. Regular cleaning should mostly eliminate the need for cleaning fluids. 
5. Reapply a light coat of oil. A few drops will suffice. Screwing the parts back together will distribute the oil to the internal threads. 
6. Do not oil internal threads, only apply oil to external threads.

Deep Cleaning (cleaning fluids):

It’s critical that you don’t introduce moisture or oil into the electronics.

1. Remove o-rings before cleaning to prevent damage. Normally you can just use your fingers, but we also have special tools to make this easier. 
2. Start with a dry toothbrush, paper towel, tissue, or Q-tip to remove the bulk of the contamination.
3. If your threads are gritty and/or gunked up (from lack of maintenance naughty you) I like to use rubbing alcohol or Windex (something that cuts grease & evaporates quickly).
4. Use as little cleaning fluid as possible. This prevents the liquid from migrating into places where it should not. 
5. Try to press the swab (or towel) into the threads to get down into the grooves. A toothbrush works great here, but it will also tend to spray dirty stuff around. 
6. Allow parts to dry completely before applying oil. 
7. Reapply a light coat of oil. A few drops will suffice. Screwing the parts back together will distribute the oil to the internal threads. 
8. Do not oil internal threads, only apply oil to external threads.

Special Note - Alpha Flashlight Head threads: 

1. There is a tight fit between the driver mount and the head threads, so it requires a special technique.
2. Take a Q-tip and mash the end flat with a pair of pliers. This will allow the Q-tip to fit between the threads and the cylinder that holds the LED driver.
3. Run the Q-tip clockwise several turns and then back it out counter clockwise. Repeat with a new tip until most of the black residue stops appearing on the swab. 
4. If you used cleaning fluid, allow parts to dry completely before applying oil. 
5. Reapply a light coat of oil. A few drops will suffice. Screwing the parts back together will distribute the oil to the internal threads. 
6. Do not oil internal threads, only apply oil to external threads.

Window: 

1. Optics people call that front glassy thingy the light shines through a "window," not a lens. Be careful when you clean it because it has a special anti-reflective coating.
2. If you get too aggressive you can damage it. I actually use my hot breath and camera lens papers. Some solvents may damage the coating, so I prefer not to use any.
3. Windows are replaceable, and slight scratches/smudges don't have any impact on the function of the light. I'd try not to worry about it. 

Spare o-rings are included with all Prometheus and Foursevens flashlights. You probably won't need them, but if the main seal ever breaks or tears, you'll have a replacement on hand. You can purchase replacement o-rings on this page. 

A dry o-ring will become cracked and/or otherwise damaged during normal use. A lubricated o-ring will not. Damage will compromise water resistance and make your light difficult to operate. A dry o-ring will make your light difficult to operate. 

Petroleum based lubricants should not be used because it will damage the o-ring. I recommend the lubricants we well on the site. I use them personally, and they are what we use when building lights. We know they work. 

WD-40 is NOT a lubricant, it is a lubricated cleaning solvent...do not use it!

1. If your o-ring is dry and not dirty, you can just reapply a couple drops of oil. Enough to get smooth operation, but not so much that it drips everywhere. Excess oil attracts dirt…that you’ll have to clean later.
2. For a full cleaning, simply remove the o-ring and clean as needed, being careful not to rip the o-ring with excessive force.
3. An o-ring that is visibly damaged should be replaced (cracked or torn). An o-ring does NOT need to be replaced unless it is damaged.
4. Reapply a light coat of oil. A few drops will suffice.
5. Reinstall the o-ring making sure it is not twisted. A twisted o-ring does not seal well and will accelerate damage.