The zipper is among the most common fasteners man has ever known. Despite being commonly found in clothing, zippers have diverse applications such as in lawn-mower bags and camping gear.
Plastic Zippers
Although some plastic zippers feature teeth, many are made of continuous nylon coils. Provided that the coils are not ruined, this kind of zipper can often be fixed. When the coils are pulled apart, just zip them again by running down the slider and then back up.
However, the coils won’t return to their shape if they are flattened or crushed. In addition, because these are attached to the tape with delicate stitching, they tend to pull out easily. Whatever the case may be, the only solution is to find a zipper replacement.
Metal Zippers
A metal zipper features individual teeth. For them to continue sliding smoothly, it is important to lubricate them occasionally. Rub the teeth with a candle, paraffin, wax paper, or dry bar of soap. You can also try to rub the zipper teeth with pencil graphite.
Make sure you get rid of the excess lubricant, particularly graphite. When the zipper gets dirty, clean this using a toothbrush dipped in the solution of water and dishwashing detergent.
Headless Zippers
Among the most common issues with any zipper is the tendency for the slider head to come off one of the teeth tracks.
To repair, take note that there is a metal staple that serves as a stop at the lower portion of the zipper. This holds the two tracks together and stops the slider from coming off at the lower part.
To attach the slider again, turn the item inside out then pry the staple open with tweezers or needle-nose pliers and take it off. Move the slider head down the teeth to the row’s bottom and cautiously thread the loose teeth track through the open part of the slider. You can now work the slider head up both teeth tracks and crimp back the staple in place using pliers.
Other Repairs
You can make a stop if the staple is missing or damaged. Install the slider then zip it up. Sew the tracks together using a zigzag stitch of heavy thread on the two tracks right on top of the bottom teeth. This stitching should tightly hold the teeth together and must have sufficient loops for the stop to be firm. It only works when the zipper can be attached permanently at the bottom.
When the zipper slider is broken or badly bent, you don’t need to install a new zipper by salvaging a replacement slider from an old zipper of a similar size. Take off the stops of the two zippers and remove both sliders. After you track the replacement slider, use thread to remake the stop.
If you need new zippers, you can consider buying zippers by the yard so you can use them for more sewing projects you are planning.