Links
Gear Repair
Zipper Maintenance
Zipper Facts
- Plastic zippers are less likely to break, than metal
zippers.
- Plastic zippers are easier to zip up and require less
maintenance.
- Coil zips are stronger than solid plastic tooth zips.
- Larger zips are not necessary stronger.
- Dirt in a coil zipper or zipper slider will quickly
damage it, keeping a zipper clean will extend its life.
Almost all zippers utilise sliders made of an aluminium alloy
that are prone to corrosion, particularly in sea air or salt
water. Always rinse any equipment that has been exposed to sea
air or salt water with fresh water as soon as you able, and dry
thoroughly. Spaying the zippers with silicon waterproofing
spray, Teflon spray, or rubbing with candle wax on the odd
occasion will protect the zip and will also reduce friction,
force, wear and tear and enhance the life of the zippers.
Remember, proper care of your zippers will give you many years
of loyal service and the zippers could even outlast your
backpack.
Zippers are an excellent innovation, but the problem is
zippers are prone to failure, particularly due to misuse or
abuse. All of the zippers on the White Mountain™ products are
plastic zippers, small, interlocking coils woven into the zipper
webbing with an alloy slider. One of the best features of coil
zips is the self-mending property. When a zipper jam occurs, all
you need to do is pass the zipper slider back and forth and the
coils will straighten out without any further problems.
Flattened Coils
Sometimes the zipper coils flattened beyond the point of
self-mending if this should happen, you can try to reshape the
damaged coils. Do this by inserting a sewing needle, safety pin
or similar object underneath each coil one coil at a time and
gently coerce each coil back into shape.
Worn Slider
You may ask how does a zipper slider can wear out. Proper use
usually is not enough to damage a good zipper slider. However,
if dirt or grit finds a way inside and along the coils, the
damage can be quick and fatal. A more common cause is general
abuse, forcing the zipper open by pulling on the fabric places
excess stress on the zipper slider and can cause it to fail. In
addition, yanking on the zipper slider when a bit of fabric is
jammed can also damage the zipper slider and/or the coils.
Regular maintenance, proper care and a little respect will keep
you zippers in top condition and prevent zipper failure.
Worn Slider Repairs
The zipper is working fine, then all of a sudden the zipper
parts, opening up behind the zipper slider. This is one of the
most common zipper ailments. This is typically a sign of a worn
zipper slider. However, it may simply mean the zipper slider has
parted slightly and is unable to fully mesh the coils. This can
happen if the flap is pulled to open the zipper(s) instead of
using the zip pull tags. We have termed this the 'schoolbag
syndrome' for obvious reasons, and it is also a common problem
in tents. If the latter is the case, you can repair the
zipper slider in one of two ways.
This is a personally preferred method of encouraging a worn
zipper slider into action, photo provided. You can repair zipper
sliders that are not meshing correctly using a small set of
pliers, the type found on many pocket tools. Move the zipper
slider all the way to the beginning, this may mean some gentle
coercion, and I cannot repeat strongly enough, gentle coercion.
Next, use your pliers to gently pinch the rear corner, at the
trailing end of the zipper slider. Then pinch the opposite side
rear corner at the trailing end of the zipper slider, using
equal pressure. Try the zipper, and then repeat this gradual
pinching process until the slider functions normally.
Move the zipper slider all the way to the beginning; this may
mean some gentle coercion, and I cannot repeat strongly enough,
gentle coercion. Next, Tap the entire trailing end of the zipper
slider closed, using a small block of wood with a slot cut in
it. Place the block of wood over the top of the slider and tap
lightly with a light hammer. Try the zipper, and then repeat
this gradual tapping process until the slider functions
normally.
Slider Replacement
If either of these two options fails, then you will need to
obtain a replacement slider from the product supplier. Take your
replacement slider to any Boot/Shoe repair shop, and have the
new slider installed. Replacing the slider requires removing the
stitching at the base of the zip without cutting the item
itself, removing and replacing the slider and restitching.
Replacing the slider is sometimes harder than you can imagine,
feeding both ends into the slider can sometimes be difficult and
you need to make sure the slider is put on the correct way. With
items such a backpack you will need an industrial sewing machine
to sew across the zipper and through the heavier material. I
would suggest leaving this type of repair to the professional.
Material Caught in the Zipper
In the case of the fabric caught in the zipper, use your
hands to gently, and I cannot stress this too much, gently pull
it out. Use caution when applying a tool to assist in pulling
the material free, the use of pliers or other implements can
lead to tears in the fabric.
Lost or Broken Pull Tabs
It often happens that the Pull Tab is lost, or is so small
you need a magnifying glass to find it. If this is the case,
simply remove the old Pull Tab, or replace the lost Pull Tab
with a new and improved Pull Tab. You can use your creative
skills and imagination in devising a replacement Pull Tab. Use a
ribbon, cord, or whistle to name a few suitable replacements.
Preferably, the bigger the Pull Tab the better, especially if it
is a Pull Tab you intend to use while wearing gloves or mittens.
To remove an old Pull Tab, gently lever up the back end of
the metal arch that holds the Pull Tab. Levering up the back end
of the metal arch allows you remove a broken Pull Tab or install
a new one, but a word of caution, die cast aluminium will only
take a small bend so be careful. Only bend the arch up enough,
so that you are able to gently force a new Pull Tab underneath
and into position, or pry an old Pull Tag out. Use a set of
pliers to bend the arch back down and retain the Pull Tab.
Remember, proceed with caution, If you break the Pull Tab metal
arch, you will need to replace the entire zipper slider.
Replacing the Zipper
If the zipper is torn or damaged beyond simply replacing the
slider, then the entire zipper will need replacing. This is a
job best left to a professional repair shop. In some products
replacing a zipper is not always an easy task, and you will need
to decide on replacing the item or having it repaired. In the
case of removable daypacks on travel packs, these generally wear
out long before your travel pack and replacements should be
available from any reputable supplier. As I stated at the
beginning of this article, proper care of your zippers will give
you many years of loyal service and the zippers could even
outlast the item itself.
Corroded Zippers
It is always a little difficult when it comes to a zip that is
already heavily corroded. It depends on whether the zipper is a
nylon coil zipper or a metal tooth zipper. A metal tooth zipper
can be more of a problem, particularly if the slider is stuck in
position and refuses to move, even with mildly aggressive
coaxing. Usually the problem with corrosion only arises when the
slider has cemented itself in place, so we will assume that this
is the case and the reason you are reading this response. It is
Important we be careful not to tear the thread that the zipper
is held together with, nor tear the zipper from the item itself.
The zipper slider must be made to move, or subsequently replaced
without causing damage to the zipper
If the following procedure fails after your best efforts, and
the zipper slider is heavily corroded, then the only thing to do
is to remove the zipper slider. To remove the zipper slider,
gently prise the zipper slider apart, break it in half, remove
the zipper slider altogether, and have it replaced. Removing the
zipper slider and having it replaced will be a much cheaper
alternative to damaging the zipper, in an attempt to force a
zipper slider that will not move despite your best efforts.
To coax the zipper slider from a fixed position, I would
recommend using a mild detergent, water, and perhaps a soft
toothbrush to clean the zipper and zipper slider as much as is
possible. Remove as much of the corroded material as possible,
and then liberally apply a silicon zipper spray or other
suitable lubricant for zippers on the corroded area. Next, place
a cord through the zipper slider pull tab, and then gently pull
the zipper slider in the direction of closing the zip while
holding the back of the zipper. This procedure may take some
time, and patience is important if you wish to prevent
permanently damaging the zipper.
|
