Repairing Zipper Slider Repair Guide

Difficulty

Very easy

Steps

Time Required

                          1 - 5 minutes

Sections

Repairing Zipper Slider
3 steps

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Introduction

What you need

Step 1

              Identifying a Bad Zipper Slider

A zipper that separates behind the zipper slider like the one shown on this tent is a very common zipper failure mode on backpacks and luggage too. It’s an easy fix with a locking pliers: the goal is to carefully squeeze the top and bottom plates of the zipper slider just ever so slightly closer.

A zipper that separates behind the zipper slider like the one shown on this tent is a very common zipper failure mode on backpacks and luggage too. It’s an easy fix with a locking pliers: the goal is to carefully squeeze the top and bottom plates of the zipper slider just ever so slightly closer.

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Step 2

              Positioning Locking Pliers to Repair a Zipper

With the locking pliers in the locked position: use the screw adjustment at the back to close on the zipper slider. (Make sure you’re clamping just the zipper slider and NOT the zipper pulls or fabric.)
Remove the locking pliers and tighten the screw adjustment ever so slightly: a 1/16th or 1/8th of a turn should be enough: you’re trying to apply the slightest pressure to both sides of the zipper slider when you re-apply it.
Return the locking pliers to the proper position on the zipper slider and clamp the locking mechanism down: this time, the locking pliers should lock just a little as you clamp down. Clamp the zipper slider on BOTH sides with the same setting before changing anything.
It might take a few tries with successively tighter settings on the locking pliers but eventually the zipper will start zipping properly again.

With the locking pliers in the locked position: use the screw adjustment at the back to close on the zipper slider. (Make sure you’re clamping just the zipper slider and NOT the zipper pulls or fabric.)

Remove the locking pliers and tighten the screw adjustment ever so slightly: a 1/16th or 1/8th of a turn should be enough: you’re trying to apply the slightest pressure to both sides of the zipper slider when you re-apply it.

Return the locking pliers to the proper position on the zipper slider and clamp the locking mechanism down: this time, the locking pliers should lock just a little as you clamp down. Clamp the zipper slider on BOTH sides with the same setting before changing anything.

It might take a few tries with successively tighter settings on the locking pliers but eventually the zipper will start zipping properly again.

Step 3

              Miscellaneous Zipper Slider Tips

This technique even works with pitched tents, which is typically when you figure out that the zipper needs fixing. It works on luggage, backpacks, any zipper that has a metal slider.
If you overdo it with the locking pliers the zipper might get hard to zip. You can open the gaps on both sides in the zipper slider a little with a thin flat blade screwdriver, but it’s best to work slowly and avoid that scenario.
Don’t have locking pliers or vise grip? You can use a regular pliers in a pinch, as this person did with their backpack.
Someone took a video of me using this technique to repair a backpack: https://youtu.be/BhehrLek2XM

This technique even works with pitched tents, which is typically when you figure out that the zipper needs fixing. It works on luggage, backpacks, any zipper that has a metal slider.

If you overdo it with the locking pliers the zipper might get hard to zip. You can open the gaps on both sides in the zipper slider a little with a thin flat blade screwdriver, but it’s best to work slowly and avoid that scenario.

Don’t have locking pliers or vise grip? You can use a regular pliers in a pinch, as this person did with their backpack.

Someone took a video of me using this technique to repair a backpack: https://youtu.be/BhehrLek2XM

Congratulate yourself on having saved yourself from replacing an expensive fabric item (or at least a zipper.)

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                                                                                      11 other people completed this guide.

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SussexDab - Nov 28, 2021

Sometimes the metal in the zip will have become weakened and this method will not work. If this happens try using Zlideon zips. https://zlideon.com/ They are quite expensive but worth the money if the item is expensive or much loved. (Note I am not in any way connected to Zlideon but I have used their zipper replacements several times).

Emma Hochstetler - Sep 3, 2022

Literally took two seconds to fix a zipper. THANK YOU

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Member-Contributed Guide

Introduction

What you need

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