How to Fix a Zipper (without Replacing It)
Intro: How to Fix a Zipper (without Replacing It)
This is a easy way to fix a zipper without replacing it. This method is really fast too. It works when the zipper pull doesn't close the zipper together anymore. I don't really like to replace zippers, because they always come out a little bit wavy when I do it myself.
You can save a jacket, a tent, a sleeping bag, and many other items.
STEP 1: What You'll Need
You will only need a pair of pliers.
But if the zipper pull is really destroyed or is made of plastic you will need a NEW ONE OF THE SAME SIZE. YOU CAN FIND IT IN ANOTHER OLD JACKET. Or you can buy one online for really cheap.
STEP 2: Remove Stopper
Remove the little iron stopper of the top of the zipper, which will be on the same side of the jacket where the zipper puller is.
(Sometimes they are made of plastic, so it is little more difficult to remove and replace. You may need to substitute it with few knot of thread or something else. There is many tutorial out there on how to replace a stopper).
STEP 3: Remove Zipper Pull
Remove zipper pull. You can probably see that it is all distorted.
STEP 4: Adjust the Zipper Pull
(ONLY FOR IRON ZIPPERS)
With the pliers close the two sides of the zipper pull, try to make it look like the original shape again.
If your zipper pull is not too worn out you can try to close it directly on the zipper, without removing it.
(if it is made out of plastic, if it is too bent or if it breaks doing this, you need to find another one of the same size, they are available online, or you can take it from another old zipper).
STEP 5: Put Back the Zipper Pull
Put back the zipper pull. It may take a little bit of time...
STEP 6: Put Back the Tooth
Put back the iron tooth with the pliers.
STEP 7: Done!
Done!
Faster than changing it!
183 Comments
Janchvz 5 months ago
ClaudiaD56 2 years ago
tdbeardys 3 years ago
managed to fix a zipper on a jacket that means alot to me <3
aliethegreat2018 3 years ago
Kiran Gokal 3 years ago
Noting that an additional tool that helped me is a flat screen driver with thick edge - used to widen the stopper initally to fit back into position before tightening with pliers.
yimlas 8 years ago
If the teeth are broken the whole zipper needs to be changed. If the slider (the part that opens or closes the zipper) is hard to move up and down on a metal zipper, use some graphite on the zipper teeth and it will slide easily. Don't know what would work on a plastic zipper .
PsychoticHatter 8 years ago
If a plastic zipper (with teeth or with coils) is having issues moving up and down you can use a silicon spray or something called Super Slick Stuff. It smells like oranges while the silicon just smells bad.
GrandmaSue10 3 years ago
johnny3h 6 years ago
I simply rub the zipper teeth with bar soap [dry, not wet], similar to loosenig a "sticky" dresser drawer.
sekitori 7 years ago
or candle-grease
Lydia976 7 years ago
Try wax.
PlantFoodV 6 years ago
You know, you can squeeze the zipper slider without taking it off the jacket. If the slider is broken, you can replace just the slider with a new one the same method as above. The small metal piece at the top is a stopper, not teeth.
marcellahella 6 years ago
Yes, I wrote it already in step 4, but sometimes, when it is really distorted, it is better to remove it, to take a better look of it, and adjust the right and left hole equally.
And thanks for the word "stopper", I'll change it.
GrandmaSue10 3 years ago
claymccabe 6 years ago
Right you are! Except it's a Top Stop that is removed.
So much bad advice on zippers out there it's crazy
wells.laurence 3 years ago
Quilterjean 4 years ago
DennisLaw 4 years ago
Never told us how to get BOTH sides of the teeth into the pull.
That's the important part.
Please tell us more about this.
crcolin 4 years ago
jalas1 5 years ago
What if there is no stopper? I have a pouch thing and the zipper goes all the way to the other end, what then?