What is the best lubricant to keep plastic zippers working on canopies? What is the best sealant for canvas? Cheers.
Best lubricant for plastic zippers
- Thread starter Brahmany
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The McLube SailKote is designed not to pick up dirt. It is a completely dry lubricant, and I wouldn't have recommended it if it wasn't.
By far, the best lubricant/protectorant for zippers on any boat is Zip Tech. Although other products folks have already mentioned will suffice, my experience is that none will outlast or protect better than this stuff.
My canvas guy turned me on to it a number of years ago and now everyone on my dock borrows mine every spring which is always good for a few beers.
http://www.mcnett.com/Zip-Tech-Semi-Solid-Zipper-Lubricant-P199.aspx
My canvas guy turned me on to it a number of years ago and now everyone on my dock borrows mine every spring which is always good for a few beers.
http://www.mcnett.com/Zip-Tech-Semi-Solid-Zipper-Lubricant-P199.aspx
Lots of people recommend soap and bee's wax as a lubricant. In my lifetime I've tried several times with unacceptable results. Each time I tell my self "oh it will probably work here", and every time I've been disappointed. And then I have a mess to clean up before I can lubricate with something else, because contrary to popular belief, soap and bee's wax do collect dirt. The first time, and every time, I used Sailkote I have been amazed at how well it works and why it isn't better known. I've loaned it to my friends that aren't sailors, and every time they come back wanting to know where to buy some. So, soap and bee's wax might have been grandma's answer to squeaks, and I'd still force myself to use it in a pinch, but not if I'm anywhere close to a can of Sailkote. Sorry Rick, I just had to get up on my
.JerryA
I am really confused here. SD recommend SailKote and Don represents Zip Tech.
Personally I have used 303, not the kind for sunbrella, the other kind. So which one is better the Sailkote or the Zip Tech. I would hate to make a mistake here and get the wrong stuff. My zippers are starting to show there age and are close to needing replacemen. Amazing how the sun makes them disintegrate.
Personally I have used 303, not the kind for sunbrella, the other kind. So which one is better the Sailkote or the Zip Tech. I would hate to make a mistake here and get the wrong stuff. My zippers are starting to show there age and are close to needing replacemen. Amazing how the sun makes them disintegrate.
Dave
I don't think you can go wrong with either and I doubt there is any evidence showing which is superior. Neither is a magic bullet and if your zippers and thread are deteriorated now, neither will bring them back but either may prolong their life. Sailkote is a spray; ZipTech is a stick which I have found facilitates application if that matters to you.
Spray goes allover soup is mess. The best way to lubricate zippers I know is petroleum jelly. Take small screwdriver and pres the jelly in the slider and slide back and forth about
one foot then repeat- deepens on lengths of the zipper. Works like a charm on plastic and
metal.No mess and cheep!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good luck Steve
one foot then repeat- deepens on lengths of the zipper. Works like a charm on plastic and
metal.No mess and cheep!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good luck Steve
a manufacturer of dodgers and biminis and such in lost angels says to use nothing but spray on dry teflon...goooodluck--i donot know brand name----lol
have fun with the results if not used--i have used it for many many years with awesome results. EVERYTHING else makes the fabric yukky and gums up the zipper. but is your choice. have fun.
have fun with the results if not used--i have used it for many many years with awesome results. EVERYTHING else makes the fabric yukky and gums up the zipper. but is your choice. have fun.
what many people are unaware of that plastic zippers have a built-in lubricant. Just zip it back/forth or up/down a few times a month. the plasticizer in the plastic will come to the surface.
This is a timely thread. I have a stuck plastic zipper in my cabin. I want to fix it but am afraid that I will break it and well, that would be that. Will the spray-on dry Teflon work to loosen the zipper? I have tried working it loose but still have concerns that it will still break.
Breaking it loose and lubricating it are 2 very differnt things.
If it is an aluminum slider (most are) then corrosion is the problem. Either a mild acid (vinagar, many weak acid cleaners, or even coke) or PB Blaster (spray penatrant - there are others, but this one has many fans and is exceptional on aluminum). I have used both aproaches on wet suit zippers.
Then Sailcote or other dry lube.
The reason I don't bother with ZipTech, even though it is probably a bit better than SailCote is simple, I have SailCote on the boat already, and there's no point in buying ZipTech if it isn't going to be an order of magnitude better than the results I get with SailCote.
Actually the SailCote I have is a liquid, not a spray. It is far more economical to buy Sailcote by the bottle. If you find you need to spray it, buy yourself a oil mister can with the built-in air pump at the local kitchen/home goods store...fill it with SailCote, pump it up and spray away. I apply Sailcote by putting some on a rag and then running the rag up and down the zipper a few times.
Actually the SailCote I have is a liquid, not a spray. It is far more economical to buy Sailcote by the bottle. If you find you need to spray it, buy yourself a oil mister can with the built-in air pump at the local kitchen/home goods store...fill it with SailCote, pump it up and spray away. I apply Sailcote by putting some on a rag and then running the rag up and down the zipper a few times.
but it collects dirt and gums up the zippers after a time in a lot of cases. Also, petroleum jelly can attack certain rubber compounds, like the latex often found on drysuit seals and such... so, is not ideal for use where it may come into contact with such materials.
Someone recently posted on this board that his experience was that the newer West Marine fabric conditioner is a superior Sunbrella treatment than the infamous 303 for keeping water off his dodger and bimini.
Like sailcote or Zip Tech, there are choices out there, and choices for you to make...
Like sailcote or Zip Tech, there are choices out there, and choices for you to make...
Thanks, I'll give the PB Blaster a try. I have vinegar on the boat. It has proven to be a very good solvent, but the lingering smell sometimes is not worth it.
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