Repair the zipper - instructions for all cases
- Zipper pinches "> The pencil trick
- Detergent instead of graphite
- Lubricate and wash
- Relieve the zipper
- Remove deposits
- Straighten teeth
- Zipper on the coat
- Zipper on the pants
But it always breaks down at the wrong time, this accessory called zipper. Depending on the reason for which the thing no longer wants, how it should, there are several ways to save the affected article. We explain what exactly you need to do when to repair the zipper and thus the associated pants, coat or other fabric product!
The reasons for a no longer (properly) working zipper can be different. There may be no stoppers or teeth. Maybe the zipper is also bent or badly lubricated. In any case, you should not hesitate when the problem occurs. Often you do not even need to use a new closure (which - by the way - would not be cheap). And much less is it necessary to throw away the article. Try to repair the zipper yourself. With our instructions and concrete tips you can do it guaranteed - and without much effort!
Zipper pinches "> The pencil trick
If your zipper does not need to be stirred, a lubricant can help - for example, graphite. This is included in soft pencils. Do you have such a utensil? Then start:
Step 1: Drive with the pencil on the teeth of the zipper or specifically over the jammed place. You perform fast up and down movements.
Note: Rubbing will lubricate the seal, making it smoother.
Step 2: Gently move the slide of the zipper up and down - until it works perfectly again.
Detergent instead of graphite
The pencil trick did not work ">
Step 2: Have a few cotton balls ready. One of them is first dipped into the detergent and then into the water to dissolve and dilute the former.
Step 3: Then spread the solution on the cotton ball on the teeth of the unruly zipper.
Step 4: Lay the cotton ball aside and try to open the zipper. Carefully act! The moment the slider stops moving, bring it back to its original position.
Step 5: Repeat the procedure from step 4 until you can easily open and close the closure.
Lubricate and wash
If the second method does not give you the desired result, you should test the combination of lubrication and washing. That's how it's done:
- Lubricate the zipper according to Method A or B.
- Close the zipper.
- Wash the product as usual in the machine.
- If he is still stuck afterwards, repeat steps 1 to 3.
Zipper burst "> relieve zipper
If your backpack, sports bag or handbag is bursting, the zipper puts enormous pressure on your teeth, which sometimes can not hold their teeth. If the closure bursts on a piece of clothing or a shoe, this strongly indicates that the article requires relief. Here are some tips:
- Clear the backpack or bag. Take out the items that are not required or distribute the belongings on two bags.
- If the zipper on a garment bursts, it may be too tight for you, so you may not be able to sort it out.
- A cracked zipper on the shoe can also be a sign that the footwear is too small. Or maybe you just have to exchange the thick socks for thinner ones.
Remove deposits
Over time, the most diverse substances are deposited on the zipper. As a result, he no longer stays right. To get it fully functional again, you should remove the deposits.
Step 1: Grab a small container and mix in it with soap and water.
2nd step: Stir now until the mixture foams.
Step 3: Then dip a clean cloth into the soapy water and wipe off the zipper teeth.
Step 4: Then take a fresh towel and moisten it with pure water.
Step 5: Use the moistened cloth to wipe off the lye together with the dissolved dirt.
Step 6: Check if the zipper works again.
Straighten teeth
If a tooth is bent in the zipper, it may be that the latter opens by itself. Of course this is too much to avoid. In this respect, you should turn the "problem tooth" straight again.
Step 1: Take a pair of small pointed pliers or tweezers.
Step 2: Locate the bent tooth and bend it to the correct position with the tool.
Step 3: If there are any other bent teeth, repeat step 2 as many times as necessary.
Note: Work carefully so as not to completely pull the respective tooth out of the zipper tape.
Step 4: Test if your repair attempt was successful.
Zipper broken "> Zipper on the coat
Step 1: Examine the damage carefully to see if the zipper can be repaired. The following scenarios are not a big problem:
- In the upper part of the zipper teeth have gone out
- the slider is bent
- the slider slips at the top of the closure
But: If there are no teeth in the middle or in the middle, you have to replace the zipper completely.
Step 2: Remove the top stoppers with small pliers.
Step 3: Pull the slider down over the top of the zipper and look at it from the side. If the gap between the upper and lower part is uneven, it is displaced. As a result, he can no longer dovetail the two zippered sides. Bend the slider straight with pliers. If that does not work, replace it.
Tip: If you want or need to replace the slider, you should find out the size required for the replacement part. Generally, you will get this information on the back of the original slider. It is given in millimeters. Example: If you look at the number 5, it means that you need a 5 mm slider. Go to a craft shop to buy the new model, or just look around online.
Step 4: If you have decided on a new slider, put it on now. To do this you need to check on which zipper side the square end is mounted. The teeth of this page are inserted in the slider. Wiggle and drag on the latter until it is stably "threaded" and can be moved normally.
Step 5: Close the zipper. If he lets himself go up and down properly, everything is alright. If this does not work, this can have different causes:
- If the zipper still goes on despite the slider being replaced, you probably got the wrong size. Check this and, if necessary, make a new purchase or exchange and change.
- If you tried to correct the old slider, but the old problem is still present, you may not have been thorough enough. Correct this, paying close attention to making the gap completely uniform. It may take a while, so be patient as possible.
Step 6: Now attach the top stoppers to the top teeth of the closure. To rivet them, use a small pair of pliers. Press them together four or five times to hold the stoppers securely.
Tip: It is advisable to use new stoppers and throw away the old ones.
Zipper on the pants
A broken zipper on the pants can have three main causes: missing lower teeth, missing upper teeth or missing upper stopper.
Procedure for missing lower teeth and / or a missing lower stopper:
Step 1: Pull the slider completely down. If the teeth are missing, insert the opposite row of teeth into it using a flat-head screwdriver. Now the zipper is closed - you should make sure that the teeth interlock properly.
Step 2: Then push the trailer down. He should hook himself to ensure that the slider can not slip.
Step 3: Turn the pants to the left and look for the seam that stabilizes the fabric flap that covers the zipper. Found ">
Tip: To determine the size of the new stopper, measure the width of the closed zipper in millimeters.
Step 5: Turn the trousers to the left again and check that the new stopper is at right angles to the zipper. If this is the case, switch to the right, grab a pair of pliers and press the tines firmly together. Then the stopper can not solve.
Step 6: Replace the seam you cut in step 5 with the sewing machine or by hand. Do this while the garment is on the left. Then the pants are turned back and the zipper should work again.
Procedure for missing upper teeth or missing stopper:
Step 1: Pull the slider completely off the zipper.
Step 2: Turn the pants to the left and look for the seam that stabilizes the fabric flap that covers the zipper. Found? Then open it with the help of a hem ripper.
Step 3: Remove the lower stopper with pliers. You have to pull very hard to release it.
Step 4: Let the pants turn left. Pick up a new, matching slider and place it so it is upside down. In this position, work the left and then the right chain of teeth into the slider.
Step 5: Hold the bottom of the zipper with one hand. With the other hand, gently pull the slider to the center of the zipper.
Step 6: Now block the slider by pushing down on the trailer.
Step 7: Turn the garment to the right and insert a new bottom stopper. The tines of the same press directly under the last pair of teeth in the fabric.
Tip: To determine the size of the new stopper, measure the width of the closed zipper in millimeters.
Step 8: Turn the garment to the left and see if the new stopper is perpendicular to the zipper.
Step 9: If this fits, press the tines together with the help of pliers.
Step 10: Turn the pants to the right and then insert a new top stopper over the top tooth on the left side of the zipper. Then rivet it with pliers. Press down firmly four to five times, so that he sits rock solid at the end. The same thing is repeated on the right side of the zipper.
Step 11: Replace the seam you cut in step 2 with the sewing machine or by hand. Do this while the garment is on the left.
Step 12: Then turn the pants back to the right to test the functionality of the repaired zipper.
Often it is possible to repair a no longer properly functioning zipper on your own. The methods are to a large extent very easy to implement and extremely effective. Try it!
