how do you treat old pannier zippers?
01-21-21, 12:55 PM
#1
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how do you treat old pannier zippers?
I have an old Kirtland handlebar bag I want to put in use but the zipper is not as smooth as I'd like. No tooth damage, it's just creaky. I remembered that old Outdoor mags would always recommend soap. I tried some but it didn't really help at all, in fact it felt a little worse so I washed it off.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
01-21-21, 01:02 PM
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you might try some teflon spay. i use it for the window seals on my vehicles. keeps the rubber supple and the windows going up easy. but, i'm sure silicone, lithium, or about any lub' spray would work
01-21-21, 01:31 PM
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I use this on all zippers, not just panniers: ZIPPER LUBE
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01-21-21, 01:42 PM
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You really don't need anything special for this - soap, chapstick, a crayon - rub it on, zip back and forth a few times, wipe off any excess.
01-21-21, 02:05 PM
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I treat them very nicely. 😁
Or rub a bar of parafin wax along the zipper teeth.
Or rub a bar of parafin wax along the zipper teeth.
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01-21-21, 02:28 PM
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Inspect the slide to make sure the inside and outside are parallel. They can and do open up.
01-21-21, 03:15 PM
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I use something similar to "Zipper lube" but it's sold as "door ease" semi-dry lube stick like a crayon or chapstick for sticky doors, drawers, windows....many uses. But not for lips!
01-21-21, 05:31 PM
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hey.....i wonder...have you any of folks been able to fix a zipper that "derails" by lubing/waxing it? i've got a prima loft jacket i'm reluctant to just toss because the zipper derails. there it sits in the closet until i have another zipper sewn in or.....unless a lub treatment works??
01-21-21, 05:44 PM
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If the culprit is a bad "pull" there's a kit I have used (and probably other brands) called "Zipper Rescue Kit" that has assorted replacement pulls. You cut/pry off the old one, align the teeth and these new ones snap on. BUT if you have damaged teeth the "fix" is a new zipper and sewing (sometimes not worth it).
01-21-21, 05:51 PM
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I have an old Kirtland handlebar bag I want to put in use but the zipper is not as smooth as I'd like. No tooth damage, it's just creaky. I remembered that old Outdoor mags would always recommend soap. I tried some but it didn't really help at all, in fact it felt a little worse so I washed it off.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Candle or paraffin wax "should" yield better results.
01-21-21, 06:27 PM
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If the culprit is a bad "pull" there's a kit I have used (and probably other brands) called "Zipper Rescue Kit" that has assorted replacement pulls. You cut/pry off the old one, align the teeth and these new ones snap on. BUT if you have damaged teeth the "fix" is a new zipper and sewing (sometimes not worth it).
anyway, thank you for the suggestion. i'll look for that kit if waxing or lubing doesn't work. the teeth are still good shape, but yeah...the pull may be bad
01-21-21, 10:16 PM
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It's surprising, how much the metal pull can be worn down by the plastic zipper! Just like how a tire can grind through an aluminum chainstay. I think zipper pulls are pretty soft metal, and I think it has to do with dust and grit that gets in there. My tent recently had this problem and a couple new pulls fixed it right up!
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01-21-21, 10:50 PM
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It's surprising, how much the metal pull can be worn down by the plastic zipper! Just like how a tire can grind through an aluminum chainstay. I think zipper pulls are pretty soft metal, and I think it has to do with dust and grit that gets in there. My tent recently had this problem and a couple new pulls fixed it right up!
01-22-21, 06:43 AM
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I once used Finish Line wax based dry lube on my chain. It worked OK but most of my rides are 30 miles or so. After 30 miles the chain rattled. I don't feel like relubing the chain after every ride. So it sat on the shelf.
Until one day I had a stuck plastic zipper. Wadda el, I'll try that stuff. It worked great! Drool it on, work the zipper open and closed a few times as the solvent dries then just use it. I now keep a bottle around and only use it for zippers. Like the zippers on the classic panniers I bought last summer. Took the stiffeners and hardware out, laundered them, dried them then drooled the lube on the zippers. Works great. Panniers, seat packs, jackets, snow pants, sleeping bags, body bags 😳
Until one day I had a stuck plastic zipper. Wadda el, I'll try that stuff. It worked great! Drool it on, work the zipper open and closed a few times as the solvent dries then just use it. I now keep a bottle around and only use it for zippers. Like the zippers on the classic panniers I bought last summer. Took the stiffeners and hardware out, laundered them, dried them then drooled the lube on the zippers. Works great. Panniers, seat packs, jackets, snow pants, sleeping bags, body bags 😳
01-22-21, 01:28 PM
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Beeswax
Well used in boating circles for lubrication snaps and zippers without leaving much residue to collect more dirt. It's "stickier" than paraffin when gripping to surfaces.
Well used in boating circles for lubrication snaps and zippers without leaving much residue to collect more dirt. It's "stickier" than paraffin when gripping to surfaces.
Last edited by fishboat; 01-22-21 at 05:27 PM.
01-22-21, 03:22 PM
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When I was into sea kayaking, beeswax or paraffin were the treatment of choice on the very hard to close waterproof drysuit zippers that you had to be able to operate with one hand. Rub it up and down the zipper, both sides, then work the zipper through its travel several times.
