Sticky zippers question

Gringo · 07-09-2008, 09:29 PM

I have a little CC with a net bag thingy up under the t-top where I store the life jackets.
It's got a wraparound nylon zipper with two aluminum zipper slides. Today when I tried to unzip it (first time in months) the dadgum zippers are stuck. I sprayed silicone up into them, and wiggled on them, pulled on them, grabbed em with pliers and yanked...held them with pliers and pounded the pliers with a wrench....all to no avail. Still stuck.

I was curious as to whether any of you guys had knowledge of something that would free them up. There must be some kind of household chemical that would eat up that aluminum oxide or whatever it is that is keeping the slides frozen. Any ideas?

rarhomes · 07-09-2008, 09:31 PM

Vaseline

clt_capt · 07-09-2008, 09:34 PM

Dude - You've gotta use that thing more often

You could try a dilute vinegar solution - Just make sure to rinse them well.

after they are free, silicone spray will work, but chapstick works as well and won't muck up your curtains...

Gringo · 07-10-2008, 12:33 AM

Thanks for the vinegar idea.

We don't have curtains here. Average yearly temperature is around 83 degrees, with 350 days a year of sunshine.

But corrosion is a constant battle.

nautiduck · 07-10-2008, 08:19 AM

Try putting a few drops of CLRon the zippers only, its a cleaner for hard water and calcium stains and buildup it should clear up whatevers causing it to be stuck.

southshore30 · 07-10-2008, 12:24 PM

ON/OFF should work if you apply just a small amount with a syringe or q-tip. The guys that did the canvas on our boat reccomends Super Lube as a zipper lube and protectant. Good luck

bigfish4me · 07-10-2008, 12:31 PM

since they are already frozen in place you probably need a good spray penetrant, pb blaster, wd 40 , or something similar.

Sea Draggin · 07-10-2008, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clt_capt

but chapstick works as well and won't muck up your curtains...

Works like a charm. But you have to catch them while you can still zip them.

Kahi · 07-10-2008, 01:36 PM

Put the zipper in the freezer, wait till its really frozen and then tap it a few times. The rust/oxide will chip off, and then try the wd40. If that dont work, you are up a creek...

Flatdog · 07-10-2008, 04:35 PM

Once you have it open go on line and buy a diving Drysuit zipper wax that stuff works on any zip Tents Etc

07-09-2008, 09:29 PM	#1
Gringo I think Admin is going to let me have this space Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: 21.9 deg. N Posts: 1,502 Credits: 3,096.0 Boat: Contender 25 Home Port: Providenciales TCI BWI Best Catch: This girl who shoots the monkeys off my back. Occupation: Perfecting the art of the 7 day weekend.	Sticky zippers question I have a little CC with a net bag thingy up under the t-top where I store the life jackets. It's got a wraparound nylon zipper with two aluminum zipper slides. Today when I tried to unzip it (first time in months) the dadgum zippers are stuck. I sprayed silicone up into them, and wiggled on them, pulled on them, grabbed em with pliers and yanked...held them with pliers and pounded the pliers with a wrench....all to no avail. Still stuck. I was curious as to whether any of you guys had knowledge of something that would free them up. There must be some kind of household chemical that would eat up that aluminum oxide or whatever it is that is keeping the slides frozen. Any ideas? __________________ http://2gringos.blogspot.com/ There are very few personal problems that cannot be resolved with the proper application of high explosives.

07-09-2008, 09:31 PM	#2
rarhomes Crab mustard is good Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 866 Credits: 1,994.9	Vaseline __________________ Capt. Rick Happy That The Bad Things In Life Are Only Temporary.

07-09-2008, 09:34 PM	#3
clt_capt I think Admin is going to let me have this space Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Raleigh, MHC Posts: 3,515 Credits: 3,756.5 Boat: Luhrs 36 Home Port: MHC Occupation: Supporting my Tackle habit	Dude - You've gotta use that thing more often You could try a dilute vinegar solution - Just make sure to rinse them well. after they are free, silicone spray will work, but chapstick works as well and won't muck up your curtains... __________________ *"There's a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot." --STEVEN WRIGHT*

07-10-2008, 12:33 AM	#4
Gringo I think Admin is going to let me have this space Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: 21.9 deg. N Posts: 1,502 Credits: 3,096.0 Boat: Contender 25 Home Port: Providenciales TCI BWI Best Catch: This girl who shoots the monkeys off my back. Occupation: Perfecting the art of the 7 day weekend.	Thanks for the vinegar idea. We don't have curtains here. Average yearly temperature is around 83 degrees, with 350 days a year of sunshine. But corrosion is a constant battle. __________________ http://2gringos.blogspot.com/ There are very few personal problems that cannot be resolved with the proper application of high explosives.

07-10-2008, 01:36 PM	#9
Kahi Anthony's Ark is a blowboater Join Date: May 2007 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 268 Credits: 1,369.3	Try This Put the zipper in the freezer, wait till its really frozen and then tap it a few times. The rust/oxide will chip off, and then try the wd40. If that dont work, you are up a creek...

07-10-2008, 08:19 AM	#5
nautiduck Stop staring at my Avatar. Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Rock Hill SC (Charlotte) Posts: 442 Credits: 1,791.3 Best Catch: Duckie	Try putting a few drops of CLRon the zippers only, its a cleaner for hard water and calcium stains and buildup it should clear up whatevers causing it to be stuck.

07-10-2008, 12:24 PM	#6
southshore30 Hide- My Wifes Logged On Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cape Cod,MA Posts: 168 Credits: 1,393.1 Boat: Southshore 30 Home Port: Cape Cod Best Catch: 825lb d/w Bluefin Occupation: Charter captain,firefighter/EMT,carpenter	ON/OFF should work if you apply just a small amount with a syringe or q-tip. The guys that did the canvas on our boat reccomends Super Lube as a zipper lube and protectant. Good luck

07-10-2008, 12:31 PM	#7
bigfish4me Crab mustard is good Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Conshohocken pa Posts: 752 Credits: 7,262.7 Boat: 17' mckee craft Home Port: Townsends inlet nj Best Catch: 320# bluefin in jersey waters Occupation: machinist	since they are already frozen in place you probably need a good spray penetrant, pb blaster, wd 40 , or something similar.

07-10-2008, 04:35 PM	#10
Flatdog Crab mustard is good Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: London England Posts: 637 Credits: 1,732.1 Boat: Fallen in love with Strike 37 walk around though the 44 would be the best option Home Port: weymouth Best Catch: 210kg cat fish rio de morte brazil Amazon delta Occupation: At the moment sales	Once you have it open go on line and buy a diving Drysuit zipper wax that stuff works on any zip Tents Etc

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