Corroded zip stuck to fabric

[Gsailor]

Ykk metal zip (aluminium I think) has corroded and stuck to fabric so it won't move. Zip is plastic.

I have tried soaking in a little oil for 24 hours and gentle scraping of the oxide but still stuck.

Any ideas?

Vinegar?

Bicarbonate?

Soak in hot water?

I have seen a similar zip crumble to bits once, but I don't think this one is that bad, at least I hope not.

 

[VicS]

It is said that white vinegar and an old tooth brush is effective BUT having soaked it in oil it is unlikely that anything water based will have much effect unless you can remove the oil with a solvent compatible with the fabric and the plastics zipper

 

[Boater Sam]

Degrease with acetone ( nail varnish remover ) carefully on the fabric, then lemon juice to remove the oxide.

 

[lustyd]

Acetone will melt the plastic zip and probably fabric and may well catch fire if it soaks in. Fairy liquid and water will remove the grease safely then leave to dry.
Alternatively lever off the zip and fit a new plastic one from Kayospruce.

 

[Sailing steve]

Kettle of boiling water.

 

[blush2]

Try scraping the worst of the corrosion away with a needle or other thin tool as far as possible and manipulate the toothed part of the zip inside the slider.

This has worked for me on a number of occasions.

 

[Boathook]

Try scraping the worst of the corrosion away with a needle or other thin tool as far as possible and manipulate the toothed part of the zip inside the slider.

This has worked for me on a number of occasions.

Also never leave a zip fully closed or open. Leaving a bit of zip so that it can move both ways makes it easier to sort out the zip.

 

[Refueler]

I have a number of jackets with this problem ....

I've tried Vinegar .... Concentrate Acetic Acid ... Lemon juice .... hot water ..... contact cleaner ...... even bought stuff said to be special for this ........... Results ? Busted zips with main part still stuck.

Solution ? Of to local Sewing Girls who repair clothes etc. They fitted complete new zips. 10 euro a zip.

 

[capnsensible]

I have a number of jackets with this problem ....

I've tried Vinegar .... Concentrate Acetic Acid ... Lemon juice .... hot water ..... contact cleaner ...... even bought stuff said to be special for this ........... Results ? Busted zips with main part still stuck.

Solution ? Of to local Sewing Girls who repair clothes etc. They fitted complete new zips. 10 euro a zip.

Yeah. We provided foulies for our sailing school students so have owned stacks, jackets and salopettes. Without constant weekly wash downs, the zips always jammed. Like you, tried allsorts. Easier to get new cheapo from decathlon.

Zips on sprayhoods etc nightmare. Often new zip required. Bad news, sorry.

 

[kalanka]

I have also used hot water, washing up liquid, vinegar, silicone spray with some success but the key for me is to hold and manipulate the zip slider with a pair of pliers so as not to snap the weak puller tab. Long soaking and intermittent jiggling often works.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Zips on sprayhoods etc nightmare. Often new zip required. Bad news, sorry.

It's possible to get fully plastic zips, slider included. They last until UV degrades the fabric or stitching.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Ykk metal zip (aluminium I think) has corroded and stuck to fabric so it won't move. Zip is plastic.

It's reached the end of its life, or nearly so. Any fix will only be temporary. Getting it replaced, or buying a new slider and doing it yourself, will be a longer term fix.

 

[ashtead]

You might try a bathroom calcium remover applied with a cotton bud . It’s a common problem on the zips on the opening flaps on front of spray hoods. Other option if you can take off the fabric is to soak the zip in hot water and take a small wire brush or say a dremel type wire brush to brush off corrosion.

 

[thinwater]

PB Blaster. In the US it is the best known penetrating oil specific to aluminum.

If that is not enough, the other top choice is a good soak in CLR (lactic acid). Best acid type for eating aluminum corrosion without damaging the aluminum.

The prevention is regular lubrication. Standard for wet suits and dry suits, but hard to remember for everything else.

 

[Bilgediver]

Ykk metal zip (aluminium I think) has corroded and stuck to fabric so it won't move. Zip is plastic.

I have tried soaking in a little oil for 24 hours and gentle scraping of the oxide but still stuck.

Any ideas?

Vinegar?

Bicarbonate?

Soak in hot water?

I have seen a similar zip crumble to bits once, but I don't think this one is that bad, at least I hope not.

I regularly sort this using Calgon as it is not usually corrosion but caused by salts etc in sea water. I put a Calton tablet in a glass and them dab the zip slider using a soaked tissue of the liquid, it can take a long soak at times,