# Stubborn zipper - any easy solution?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stubborn-zipper-any-easy-solution/603138
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [November 16, 2011, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stubborn-zipper-any-easy-solution/603138 "2011-11-16T17:16:45Z")
**Posts on this page:** 9
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2011, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stubborn-zipper-any-easy-solution/603138/1 "2011-11-16T17:16:45Z")
On some of my coats (and backpacks), some of the zippers start acting up:
When I close them properly from the end to the top, they start splitting up from the bottom, which makes opening them correctly from the top later difficult.\*
I know that to make zippers run smoother, it’s recommended to put graphite or hard soap onto them. But how to keep them from splitting the wrong way? I looked at the little nubs, if they were bent out of shape or so, but couldn’t see anything wrong compared to other sections. Is it possible to get them back in line with a forceps, or is the only real solution the expensive one ☹ of taking out the whole zipper and sewing a new one in?
- I hope people can imagine what I’m trying to describe?
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### Author:  [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2011, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stubborn-zipper-any-easy-solution/603138/2 "2011-11-16T18:03:39Z")
Sometimes it’s the slider and not the teeth. The gaps on the sides of the slider widen and the teeth aren’t forced together well enough. You can use pliers to narrow the gaps, but it’s only temporary at best (if you don’t break the slider). I’ve replaced the slider on some items (got them at sewing stores).
Also make sure the teeth mesh right at the very bottom of the zipper to begin with. If one is off, the slider won’t always push it into place and that initiates things.
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### Author:  [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2011, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stubborn-zipper-any-easy-solution/603138/3 "2011-11-16T18:14:42Z")
What you’ve described is a common symptom of a worn-out zipper. Typically it’s not the teeth that wear, but the [slider](http://www.hardwareelf.com/Images/Items/zippers/Z-038lg.jpg). The inside faces of the curved guides no longer squeezes the teeth together enought for them to knit fully. Sometimes you can temporarily improve function by CAREFULLY squeezing the guides toward the center with a pair of pliers. You can try to replace the slider – google on _replace zipper slider_ to get info – which may be a longer term repair. Still, the surest fix is what you fear, replacing the entire zipper assembly.
On preview, what **ftg** said.
For maintenance, try silicone spray to lubricate the teeth.
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### Author:  [@Al\_Bundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al_Bundy)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2011, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stubborn-zipper-any-easy-solution/603138/4 "2011-11-16T18:37:15Z")
Let’s assume for a minute that the zipper teeth, usually plastic now, are all present and not distorted. When the zipper is closed, any open teeth at the start can begin to open the whole length of the opening, which forces you to use force to bring the handle back to the start. Sometimes the first one or two teeth fail to interlock. If you can diagnose that as the problem, the solution is to sew the zipper together for the first two or more teeth so it can never begin opening from there again. I have done this several times with 100% success.
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### Author:  [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2011, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stubborn-zipper-any-easy-solution/603138/5 "2011-11-16T19:20:41Z")
yeah if the method used to keep the teeth at the start from separating then you should stitch them together. often a pair of needle nose pliers can get teeth to mesh if you bend and position the teeth correctly.
also teeth, especially plastic, can wear so that even though they mesh with the slider they will come apart later.
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### Author:  [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2011, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stubborn-zipper-any-easy-solution/603138/6 "2011-11-16T19:41:17Z")
> [@Al\_Bundy](#):
>
> Let’s assume for a minute that the zipper teeth, usually plastic now, are all present and not distorted. When the zipper is closed, any open teeth at the start can begin to open the whole length of the opening, which forces you to use force to bring the handle back to the start. Sometimes the first one or two teeth fail to interlock. If you can diagnose that as the problem, the solution is to sew the zipper together for the first two or more teeth so it can never begin opening from there again. I have done this several times with 100% success.
That might work for the backpack pockets, but unfortunately not for my coat - that needs to open fully when taking if off/on.
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### Author:  [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2011, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stubborn-zipper-any-easy-solution/603138/7 "2011-11-16T19:43:45Z")
> [@Gary\_T](#):
>
> What you’ve described is a common symptom of a worn-out zipper. Typically it’s not the teeth that wear, but the [slider](http://www.hardwareelf.com/Images/Items/zippers/Z-038lg.jpg). The inside faces of the curved guides no longer squeezes the teeth together enought for them to knit fully. Sometimes you can temporarily improve function by CAREFULLY squeezing the guides toward the center with a pair of pliers. You can try to replace the slider – google on _replace zipper slider_ to get info – which may be a longer term repair. Still, the surest fix is what you fear, replacing the entire zipper assembly.
I wonder if I can still buy slider replacements anywhere - I remember over a year ago I looked for a slider in double-size for a sleeping blanket-turning-into-sleeping bag, and even the special outdoor stores looked at me and said “nope sorry, nobody does repairs anymore, everything’s done at the manufacturers”. (Similar to how kitchen machines are encased in solid plastic so it’s impossible to screw open and repair a part, because the man-hours are too expensive; you have to throw it away and buy a new gadget).
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### Author:  [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2011, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stubborn-zipper-any-easy-solution/603138/8 "2011-11-16T19:45:22Z")
> [@johnpost](#):
>
> also teeth, especially plastic, can wear so that even though they mesh with the slider they will come apart later.
That might also be the reason - after all, a fraction of millimeter would be enough for things to fit too loosely, but still not visible with the naked eye.
And once it starts ripping apart the wrong way, the force to back the slider down to open it fully probably further damages the teeth. Damn.
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### Author:  [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2011, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stubborn-zipper-any-easy-solution/603138/9 "2011-11-16T19:46:32Z")
And thanks to all for your answers!