zipper
Submitted: Sunday, Jan 19, 2014 at 10:06
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105858
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Replies:
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Member - nick b
Gooday all : looking for tips on how to keep zippers in good condition on caravan poptop and fishing tackle gear ?
cheers
Reply By: AlbyNSW - Sunday, Jan 19, 2014 at 10:09
Sunday, Jan 19, 2014 at 10:09
Selley's easyglide is a good lubricant that a lot of the upholsterers recommend
AnswerID:
524735
Reply By: Notso - Sunday, Jan 19, 2014 at 10:59
Sunday, Jan 19, 2014 at 10:59
Don't own anyhting like that but sunlight is the big killer for plastic and fabric zippers, if you could figure out a way to put sunscreen on em I reckon that would be a big step.
AnswerID:
524736
Reply By: Member - Scott M (NSW) - Sunday, Jan 19, 2014 at 11:06
Sunday, Jan 19, 2014 at 11:06
Regular applications of Lanolin spray ..... only way to keep the supple and reduce corrosion.
AnswerID:
524737
Follow Up By: Brian 01 - Sunday, Jan 19, 2014 at 11:47
Sunday, Jan 19, 2014 at 11:47
Lanolin dries sticky, not sure it would be good for a zipper.
FollowupID:
806545
Follow Up By: Member - Scott M (NSW) - Sunday, Jan 19, 2014 at 16:47
Sunday, Jan 19, 2014 at 16:47
and being a natural product, it won't corrode anything
FollowupID:
806559
Follow Up By: Brian 01 - Sunday, Jan 19, 2014 at 17:58
Sunday, Jan 19, 2014 at 17:58
Happy to accept what you say about the one you use.
I use Lanotec lanolin regularly and it dries tacky.
Just had a look at the can and the instructions state to "polish with a dry cloth to avoid tackiness", their words not mine.
Bit hard to polish a zipper.
Maybe I should try another brand.
FollowupID:
806565
Reply By: Member - bbuzz (NSW) - Sunday, Jan 19, 2014 at 12:58
Sunday, Jan 19, 2014 at 12:58
nick b,
I regularly
camp in my poptop with annexe near the beach. The zippers get stuck with salt accumulations from time to time (when I forget to clean them!).
I paint them with hot water to free them up and then coat the zipper toggle and the separate jaws with a smear of petroleum jelly. Work the zipper a few times to distribute the lubrication and its OK.
I find that I do not have to clean the zippers very often; in fact they do not get stuck and I just re-apply the pet jelly once a year.
The dust doesn't seem to be a problem - the poptop seals pretty good and the annexe walls are locked away.
cheers
bill
AnswerID:
524741
Follow Up By: Aussi Traveller - Sunday, Jan 19, 2014 at 13:03
Sunday, Jan 19, 2014 at 13:03
You could rub a dry bar of soap over the zip, I have also used WD40 and or CRC. I wouldn't use sunsdreen as posted above as it some come with a insect repelent in them and may contain DEET.
Phil
FollowupID:
806547
Follow Up By: The Bantam - Sunday, Jan 19, 2014 at 15:04
Sunday, Jan 19, 2014 at 15:04
The problem with soap, is that if there is any metal in the zipper, it will promote rapid corrosion.....the same reason you don't use soap on screws or nails you ever hope to get out.
cheers
FollowupID:
806555
Follow Up By: Shaker - Sunday, Jan 19, 2014 at 16:21
Sunday, Jan 19, 2014 at 16:21
Pure soap is ok!
FollowupID:
806556
Reply By: flyingfrenchman - Sunday, Jan 19, 2014 at 13:00
Sunday, Jan 19, 2014 at 13:00
Have often wondered how everyone keeps their awning zips working.... And how long until I have dramas with mine!!
AnswerID:
524742
Follow Up By: Brian 01 - Sunday, Jan 19, 2014 at 13:05
Sunday, Jan 19, 2014 at 13:05
Silicone spray works a treat and it doesn't catch dirt or dust.
FollowupID:
806548
Reply By: Allan B (Member, SunCoast) - Sunday, Jan 19, 2014 at 13:56
Sunday, Jan 19, 2014 at 13:56
Nick, Silicon is good but I have found this Dry PTFE even better.
I use it on my rear spare-mounted rubbish bag zips -- nothing gets more dust than there -- and also the roof-top bag. The slider zips along even better than when the zips were brand new.
Available at auto accessory shops, Super Cheap etc.
WD-40 Dry PTFE
AnswerID:
524744
Follow Up By: Member - Michael L5 - Tuesday, Jan 21, 2014 at 14:50
Tuesday, Jan 21, 2014 at 14:50
I second the dry PTFE lube. I was first put on to it some time back by a guy who ran a motorcycle racing team and put some on my drive chain as it did not fly off like most bike chain lubes. I have since found that it does a great job of lubing pretty much anything and doesn't suffer from tackiness. I have often lubed tent zips etc with it and been extremely happy with it. Like others here I have also been very impressed with Lanotec but tend to use it as my preferred penetrating lubricant, it has natural penetrating properties which are superior to anything else I have seen.
FollowupID:
806723
Reply By: Steve M1 (NSW) - Sunday, Jan 19, 2014 at 16:59
Sunday, Jan 19, 2014 at 16:59
we use silicon spray for zips in the upholstery trade - same on curtain tracks
AnswerID:
524750
Follow Up By: Steve M1 (NSW) - Sunday, Jan 19, 2014 at 17:09
Sunday, Jan 19, 2014 at 17:09
also, as Notso mentioned, UV/sunlight is a killer on fabrics so some kind of cover would help in the long term. Try to avoid things getting caught between the teeth but if any teeth are broken you'll need a new un.
FollowupID:
806563
Reply By: Motherhen - Sunday, Jan 19, 2014 at 23:41
Sunday, Jan 19, 2014 at 23:41
Zips jamming with dust was always a problems to us with the canvas camper on the trayback. I used candle wax.
Motherhen
AnswerID:
524762
Reply By: Inspectorbluedog - Monday, Jan 20, 2014 at 14:25
Monday, Jan 20, 2014 at 14:25
Rub zips with Sunlight soap
AnswerID:
524790