Water proofing zippers….

[NYSail]

So new bimini zippers leak. What product do people use to waterproof them.

thanks
Greg

 

[dlochner]

Are the zippers exposed on the outside? Mine all have a flap of fabric that covers the zippers. That stops most of the leaks.

 

[arf145]

My bimini zippers have flaps, but they leak a bit and I kinda expect that. When you think of the sheer number of mating surfaces in a zipper, it's hard to picture them being waterproof.

 

[capta]

Ours too had flaps covering the zippers on the outside.

 

[Richard19068]

So new bimini zippers leak. What product do people use to waterproof them.

thanks
Greg

https://paintoncraft.com/waterproof-zipper/

Have you asked the maker of the Bimini?

 

[jviss]

So new bimini zippers leak. What product do people use to waterproof them.

thanks
Greg

You can't waterproof zippers that aren't waterproof zippers. And that's it! You can lube them, but it won't keep water out.

The bimini should have flaps to cover the zips.

I've never seen waterproof zippers, i.e., dry suit zippers, on a bimini or dodger, etc.

 

[RussC]

pretty unlikely to waterproof zippers but if it's a "plastic" zipper (or metal for that matter) you can sure improve the ease of action and prolong it's life by spraying it with McLube Sailkote.

 

[jviss]

pretty unlikely to waterproof zippers but if it's a "plastic" zipper you can sure improve the ease of action and prolong it's life by spraying it with Sailcoat.

Better to use a zipper-specific lube, like Zipper Ease.

 

[RussC]

Better to use a zipper-specific lube, like Zipper Ease.

yup. I put Chevy oil in my Ford once and it blew up also.

 

[jviss]

yup. I put Chevy oil in my Ford once and it blew up also.

Not a good analogy. Oil is oil. Sailcote is not the same as conventional zipper lube. Sailcote is a dry lube. Zipper lube is more like a hard grease, similar in texture to a Chapstick. In fact, Chapstick would probably work!

 

[Tally Ho]

Not a good analogy. Oil is oil. Sailcote is not the same as conventional zipper lube. Sailcote is a dry lube. Zipper lube is more like a hard grease, similar in texture to a Chapstick. In fact, Chapstick would probably work!

I have used chapstick on my Mack pack zipper when it gets a little sticky!

Greg

 

[jviss]

I have used chapstick on my Mack pack zipper when it gets a little sticky!

Greg

Yes! Something like Sailcote will wash off pretty quickly. The waxy zipper lubes, like waterproof zipper lubes, as used on soft cooler and drysuits, and products like Zipper-ease and Snap-Stick will stay put in a downpour or even underwater.