Stuck zips ** How do I free them off?

[TQA]

I have some jackets and bags where the zips are stuck. The zipper has white stuff around it. I suspect that the problem is some kind of corrosion as I think the zips are metal.

Is there anything magic to soak the zipper in to get rid of the white stuff or anything else that I can do.

So far I have had some limited success with a needle and just picking away. Once I get it moving it is OK.

Is there anything I can spray on or rub on that will prevent this happening again?

 

[Jcorstorphine]

Try hot water

I have some jackets and bags where the zips are stuck. The zipper has white stuff around it. I suspect that the problem is some kind of corrosion as I think the zips are metal.

Is there anything magic to soak the zipper in to get rid of the white stuff or anything else that I can do.

So far I have had some limited success with a needle and just picking away. Once I get it moving it is OK.

Is there anything I can spray on or rub on that will prevent this happening again?

I had the same problem when re-arming my lifejackets and used very hot water and slowly worked the zip back and forward.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

You can try brushing it briskly with a stiff discarded toothbrush dipped in vinegar. However, if there is severe corrosion beneath the salt, the slider might just collapse; in any case, the problem will reappear after a period of non use. Depending on the garment, prevention can be the application of a tiny smear of Vaseline, silicon spray from an aerosol can (like we use on luff ropes and sail slides) or plain rubbing with a soft candle over the teeth. Only you can decide when it is worthwhile.

 

[Tidewaiter2]

You can try brushing it briskly with a stiff discarded toothbrush dipped in vinegar. However, if there is severe corrosion beneath the salt, the slider might just collapse; in any case, the problem will reappear after a period of non use. Depending on the garment, prevention can be the application of a tiny smear of Vaseline, silicon spray from an aerosol can (like we use on luff ropes and sail slides) or plain rubbing with a soft candle over the teeth. Only you can decide when it is worthwhile.

All of the above, +warm soapy water, Puff, and a bit of prophylactic beeswax from the sail repair kit

 

[lw395]

Hot water will dissolve some of the salt and crud.
Furniture polish sometimes penetrates better than most things.
Some sort of wax is needed to keep it happy.

 

[Slowtack]

Washing up liquid, neat.

 

[TQA]

OK I will try all of these suggestions and report back.

 

[Ruffles]

OK I will try all of these suggestions and report back.

I had this on our internal cushions. Every slider that showed signs of white oxide externally proved completely corroded and useless when freed. And attempting to free the slider risks damaging the zip.

I was able to source replacement sliders; I think they were YKK. Same make and same size and they should be compatible.

But you'll need to remove the old sliders without damaging the zip. Easier said than done. I found carefully cutting across the slider with a junior hacksaw works. Stop before you're through and it should snap off.

 

[bljones]

This is why shepherds wear robes. Well, and the sheep's keen hearing.

 

[little_roundtop]

Try free'n'easy from Lakeland http://www.lakeland.co.uk/8998/Free-n-Easy. We use it on all our zips and it keeps them running perfectly. I guess it would free a stuck one too. It's cheap enough to try anyway.