Freeing Sprayhood zips

Lucky Duck

Lucky Duck

Well-Known Member
Joined
9 Jun 2009
Messages
8,793
Location
From the Needles to the Nab, from Cowes to St Kats
Visit site
I went down to the boat today to take the Sprayhood off for a bit of winter TLC but unfortunately the zips which keep the Sprayhood attached to the frames are stuck fast and I couldn't encourage them to free up. Instead I had to make do with sanding down last year's antifoul :rolleyes:

Any tips as WD40 had no noticeable effect?
 
When they get to that stage even if you do free them the corrosion has started and they will jam again and again. New sliders needed. You might have to destroy the corroded sliders with pliers to get the zip apart, but if you are careful and don't damage the teeth then putting a new slider on is a lot cheaper than a new zip.
 
I managed to free off some zips ( plastic zip, aluminium closure piece ) using boiling water. Somewhat counter intuitive, as the plastic parts should have expanded more than the aluminium part making it even tighter. Maybe it helped to dissolve some oxidation products ( or softened the plastic pieces).
 
If they are plastic zips (teeth and zipper) then they are probably just gummed up with salt. You need to get them wet, warm water initially, and lots of it. Dont force the zipper by the handle because it will break off but grip the centre with long nose pliers. If there is a metal zipper on plastic teeth then by prepared to break the zip and pay for a new one to be sewn in.

WD40 is a water dispersant so will only have limited effect.

Good luck Simon
 
Try GT85 from most auto shops. teflon based wd ,lubricant and is pretty good for most lecky things, spray on and leave to soak then apply pressure forwards and backwards, should do the trick in time.
 
I managed to free some sail makers zips on our old spray hood by heating them with boiling water and then pouring on hot pickling vinegar. Smelt dreadful. I assume they are the big white 10mm zips with metal sliders? If so there may be enough metal left for them to work. Mine were ok for a bit longer.

When I eventually replaced the spray hood I used plastic sliders. Much better for zips that are rarely moved.
 
Spray it with household polish such as Pledge.

It works a treat, is cheap and readily available.

I keep a can on board for exactly that purpose, as well as for polishing the flexible windows in the hood, which it is equally excellent for.
 
simon14b said:
That a good description of them, plan B is to dismantle the frame and try and take it off that way!
Click to expand...
Spray hoods don't normally have zips UNLESS they have grab handles. Does yours? If so you will have to free the zip.

Why not order some new sliders. You will then have a plan B ready if they don't shift. I'm pretty sure the zips / sliders are standard. Phone Kayospruce and ask them.

You could then cut the old sliders off with a junior hacksaw (cut perpendicular to the zip until nearly through, then prise off with a screwdriver) I imagine the zips are open ended? You'll need to unpick the stitching at the end to fit the new slider but easily done by hand.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top