Saltwater crusted zip - any ideas

[MaserJon]

I've dug out my old Musto Ocean oilies from a bag in the garage after some years of non use.

Zips on both the jacket and trousers were crusted and stuck. I've freed off the jacket zip by soaking overnight in vinegar and then pulling apart with two pairs of pliers. Not so lucky with the trousers zip where I can't get the same purchase due to the 'vee'

I'm sure I'm not the first or last to have this problem.

All ideas welcome, thanks!

 

[Vanilla]

Pouring some hot water over the zip may help, but I've found a spray can of zip lubricant much more effective. Often used by wetsuit wearers. Sorry cant remember the brand but lots out there if you google it. I tried the candle wax tip but found it only moderately effective....ie rub a candle over the zip on both "sides"!!

 

[William_H]

The zip runner is often made of aluminium which corodes and thickens in itself. All of the above is the best treatment but in the end you may need a new zip or at least a new slider. good luck olewill

 

[cliff]

The zip runner is often made of aluminium which corodes (sic) and thickens in itself. All of the above is the best treatment but in the end you may need a new zip or at least a new slider. good luck olewill

+1 that is why I prefer to use plastic zips on boaty clothing.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Silicone spray is very effective at keeping zippers zippy. Don't forget to cover the pull-tag with tape before spraying though, otherwise your fingers will be the only part that will slide!

 

[Russ the Diver]

Vinegar soaked into zips and then use silicone spray. Works on my drysuit if I've not used it for a long time

 

[ghostlymoron]

It may be too far gone to be treated. I tried hot water and WD40 on a rucksac zip recently. When I pulled it hard, the slider broke. (Rucksac binned). With expensive foulies it would be worth putting in a new zip if the existing doesn't respond to hot water/lubricant/descaler provided the rest of the suits OK.

 

[Yngmar]

Silicone spray is very effective at keeping zippers zippy. Don't forget to cover the pull-tag with tape before spraying though, otherwise your fingers will be the only part that will slide!

+1

I use a silicone spray with a straw, stick it on the top of the slide and put a paper towel around to keep it off everything else. Of course that's all for when the zipper still zips.

 

[alant]

I've dug out my old Musto Ocean oilies from a bag in the garage after some years of non use.

Zips on both the jacket and trousers were crusted and stuck. I've freed off the jacket zip by soaking overnight in vinegar and then pulling apart with two pairs of pliers. Not so lucky with the trousers zip where I can't get the same purchase due to the 'vee'

I'm sure I'm not the first or last to have this problem.

All ideas welcome, thanks!

Musto might renew, don't they have a 25yr guarantee or something?

 

[Daydream believer]

Musto put carp zips on their gear. I have expensive fleeces where the zips have failed in a few months, bags where i can no longer open them. I have friends who have similar problems with musto kit
Surely if one is paying a fortune for their product they could at least put decent zips on them.Have they never heard of YKK
In my opinion Musto have gone down hill big time in the past few years

 

[Daydream believer]

Musto might renew, don't they have a 25yr guarantee or something?

They would soon go bankrupt if they did!!

 

[Vara]

It's worth trying a hot machine wash with no detergent, worked for my gaiters.

 

[James_Calvert]

Try wafting the zip slider in the steam from a non-electric kettle on the hob, as you tug at it with pliers.

Won't help much if it's already corroded away, but it's worth a try.

 

[Sailingsaves]

vinegar and or bicarbonate of soda (not at same time).

Then some plus gas.

Once free, use some "zip slip" on ebay (it is just white spirit with wax in it (so could make your own) or a GEL of silicon "Tizip" (less messy than spray?) or bees wax.