What Do You Use For Zipper Maintainance?

[Joe Mullee]

I've had to replace some of the zippers on my bimini, its cover, some on my dodger, and on my main sale cover. The sunbrella has held up very well but the zippers have become brittle and eventually start losing their teeth until they no longer zip up. Is there something I can put on them to legnthen their life? I was told about a product called Zippy Cool but I haven't been able to locate it.

Thanks,
Joe Mullee

 

[Bennie30E]

http://www.amazon.com/Cleaning-Lubricating-Complete-Zipper-System/dp/B004ULP1AY

Try this site. It's in stock.

Merry Christmas!

 

[Jackdaw]

You should already have it on your boat, so hit those zips with McLube.

Not sure it will help with UV, but MAN it will help them slide!

http://www.mclubemarine.com/sailkote/

 

[galynd]

If corroded use vinegar.

 

[Alan]

...or just plain ole' fashioned bees wax.

 

[zeehag]

dry teflon spray works well.

 

[RichH]

Zippers usually stick/fail, etc because of UV damage and surfaces of the plastic zipper teeth become 'oxidized', roughened and 'swollen'.

Over the years I've switched to 'black' zippers for better UV resistance and spray/rub them with a UV "protector/block" such as Apseal 303 Fabric Protector™ (not Fabric 'Guard', which is a water repellent) ... and dont find the need for 'lubricants'. I find I have to coat 'all sides' of the zippers as Sunbrella doesnt totally block UV.

FWIW - Apparently there has been strong competition among the zipper manufacturers vs. UV resistance ..... first was YKK, then RIRI, now YKK again seems to be the longest lasting vs. UV damage.

I also use the 303 Fabric Protector on my 'toy-cars' vinyl convertible top and molded vinyl dashboard, etc.

 

[BillyK]

I've had to replace some of the zippers on my bimini, its cover, some on my dodger, and on my main sale cover. The sunbrella has held up very well but the zippers have become brittle and eventually start losing their teeth until they no longer zip up. Is there something I can put on them to legnthen their life? I was told about a product called Zippy Cool but I haven't been able to locate it.

Thanks,
Joe Mullee

believe it or not... Chapstick.. regular old Chapstick brand Chapstick. i go through a stick a season.

 

[Nodak7]

Just rub a bar of plain hand soap on them. Works great!

 

[Sail123]

Just rub a bar of plain hand soap on them. Works great!

That does work to lube the zipper but I bet a chap stick with sun block is better. Have not tried it (yet)

The soap trick was taught to me by my grandma 50 years ago before plastic. Makes em work better than new. Ivory for zippers and dial for people. The ivory never touched people. Lol

 

[whatfiero]

chap stick

That does work to lube the zipper but I bet a chap stick with sun block is better. Have not tried it (yet)

The soap trick was taught to me by my grandma 50 years ago before plastic. Makes em work better than new. Ivory for zippers and dial for people. The ivory never touched people. Lol

I vote for chap stick with sun blocker and you can get it anywhere just start rubbing ya zippers when your gunk-holding and drinking fun activity that everybody can do

 

[Big Windy]

I lub mine with some old candles laying around the house.

 

[Water Runner]

dry teflon spray works well.

Teflon spray or you can try and use sex wax, or surfboard wax whichever it is known by in your area. It's just paraffin wax more or less but it 'lubricates' the zipper and eases friction, I use it on most of my brass zippers on my carhart jackets and on my equipment zippers.