thanson2001ok - 22-5-2011 at 07:06 AM
I have a line on a couple of Venoms (17 and 19 I think) with corroded zippers.
Anyone know...
Can I get replacements from PL?
Are they hard to replace? Can an accomplished tailor do the job?
Any idea on cost for a professional repair?
krumly - 22-5-2011 at 10:58 AM
Try using silicone lubricant and gently working the old slider first. I've saved a few that way and they work like new.
Easy to replace if you know how to sew. Takes about an hour to pick out the old one and put in a new one. Half an hour after you've done a couple.
Buy zipper material here: http://www.questoutfitters.com/zippers.htm#MAKE YOUR OWN ZIPPERS
You want #5037 waterproof YKK Uretek #5 coil stock and #5043 reversible #5 slider. You cut off the extra pull tab that would end up on the inside
when you are done. You don't really need end stops, as you will be sewing across the ends so the slider can't come off. Use heavy (like T-90)
polyester thread and a #18 sharp needle. 6-8 stitches per inch is plenty.
Use the link to the Quest site above and go down to the 'Zipper Wedges' section. That is the slickest way to sew a closed end zipper into the kite.
If you need photos, I can take pics off a couple of my installs.
krumly
thanson2001ok - 22-5-2011 at 02:28 PM
Perfect. Thanks a million.
Kamikuza - 22-5-2011 at 05:18 PM
Silicon or IMO better is SailKote - leaves no residue and is a 'dry' lube.
If they're just gummed up, try soaking them in hot water, carefully poking out the crude with like, dentist tools and giving it a jiggle ...
thanson2001ok - 4-6-2011 at 09:32 PM
The V16 and V19 came this week. Zippers were stuck-stuck! More like frozen.
Soaked them in hot water for about an hour and was amazed that I was able to work them free. Thanks for the advice.
Soooo, any advice on how to keep them unstuck?
PHREERIDER - 4-6-2011 at 09:50 PM
all will dissolve, never had to replace one .
way to save it!