If you have bought many old Perfection heaters chances are you have run across one with a stuck wick. Stuck wicks can sometimes be a challange to free, and if you are not carefull you can damage your fount (tank) beyond repair.

Brass founts are particularly sensitive, and easily damaged by attempting to remove a stuck wick. The brass with age becomes brittle, and may crack or split if too much pressure is applied.

One of the easiest ways to remove a stuck wick is to soak it in a solvent. When I get a heater with a stuck wick, I run down to my local auto parts store, and pick up a gallon of a good harsh parts solvent such as a carburetor dip. Fill the tank with this, and allow to soak for a day or two, and this will generally free the wick, and remove the gum from the tank as well.

If this does not free the wick use an old hack saw blade, or similar thin item to slide down between the wick and the wick tube (with gallery removed) slip the blade down to the bottom, and work your way all around in a straight up and down manner, and the wick will be freed.

Upon removing the old wick you will need to throw it away no matter how much of it is left, and you will need to flush out the tank, I use hot water, and a harsh dish detergent to remove the residue left behind. Make sure the tank is allowed to thouroughly dry before installing a new wick, and adding fuel back to the tank.