Ok, I got that great deal on the Venom 13m on fleabay and figured a quick soak in some warm water would loosen them right up. The zipper I've been soaking for an hour still won't budge. I've also lightly scrubbed with a small medium bristle nylon brush but still no dice. I did a search and can't find any other tips and tricks to loosen one that is stuck closed. The zipper looks to be in perfect shape but just won't open.

I'm not handy with a sewing machine or I'd source new ones and just replace them. I'm still probably ok on investment even if I have to ship it for repair, but with zippers that look good I'm hoping to get them loosened up.

Silicon spray? I don't think I would use anything stronger.

Could the pull be bent?

I have heard vinegar will do the trick. The zips on my GII were stuck and had some salt corrosion in them, but in the end it was just hot water and a little gentle/force...

I've been successful with hot water before.
I hear Vinegar is a good/stronger alternative. Never tried it myself.

one in, one out, is easy working basics.

let it soak, vinegar will speed it up some, tweak it loose. or if the others work just leave. it.

I have had luck with BOILING hot water. The vinegar sounds like a good idea. Gotta let 'em soak for a couple of hours. Replace the cooled off water w boiling hot again.

Let us know what works. I bid on that kite. Glad another PKF bro' got it. Great price! Hope you get the zips going.

Hi,
I've been lurking on the forum, thought I'd introduce. I've been kitesurfing about 10 years, but I bought a couple of venoms about 6 months ago. The zippers were stuck also. I soaked them in vinegar for a couple hours and worked magic!
http://www.windsurfer.co.uk/zipcare.htm
Hope it works for you!
Ps, I liked the venoms enough to buy a couple of synergies!

I used a steam cleaner. Worked on Flysurfer bags as well.



It was one of those informercial things my wife loves to pick up. Did not work to good on tile grout but did the trick on the salt water deposits in the zipper. Different attachment than in the picture though.

Few drops of CLR (eyedropper works well) on zipper head, rinse right away after foaming stops

Thanks guys and welcome flyfish. I'm honored I drew you out of lurker status.

Hot water did nothing for me. Moving on to vinegar now. I'm thinking about how to immerse the zipper in vinegar without using a half gallon of the stuff.

Also not sure how to apply boiling water with enough volume. I envisioned a pot on the gas stove and cringed as I imagined bringing the kite to the pot just above the open flame. Maybe a teapot.............:duh::duh:

Any Luck with the zippers?

I've been too busy to try anything beyond the hot water soak. The teapot of boiling water and white vinegar are my next attempts. I'll certainly post up what works and how I did it when I find success.

I have always used 3M silicone spray on all my zippers and never had a problem. Can you see a residue on the zippers like a calcium build up vinegar would work, don't use CLR it is an acid base and will do harm to the fabric. In the cold North we use the same silicone spray on our truck door jams and window seals, stops ice from sticking. IMHO

Maybe the White Vinegar should be my next attempt. There is a film on the zipper.

If you know how to run a sewing machine, for all the f'ing around to loosen it up you could have sewn in a new one.

If I can''t get a slider free with silicone spray in 5-10 minutes, I sew in a new zip. Maybe an hour to pick out the old zip and sew in a new one first time. 1/2 hour after practice.

krumly

Quote:

Originally posted by krumly If you know how to run a sewing machine, for all the f'ing around to loosen it up you could have sewn in a new one. If I can''t get a slider free with silicone spray in 5-10 minutes, I sew in a new zip. Maybe an hour to pick out the old zip and sew in a new one first time. 1/2 hour after practice. krumly

So you can just walk in the sewing shop and buy a sealing zipper like comes on the arcs? We have a sewing machine.

Quote:

Originally posted by BeamerBob So you can just walk in the sewing shop and buy a sealing zipper like comes on the arcs? We have a sewing machine.

Unless Krumly knows of a national chain, I doubt it. Aunt Bee rarely needs water-resistant/proof zippers for her sewing circle projects.

You might want to check with the folks at FixMyKite.com/Kiteboarding.com where they source their zippers for PL repairs and see if they have any on hand.

Worth reading:
The Golden Peter Lynn Zipper

I would assume local sources would be dive/board shops that do drysuit repairs, sail shops, technical gear (camping/hiking) stores that have a repair department. Other mail order options would be include:

• Sailrite
  
• Zipper Stop
  
• Seattle Fabrics
  

ATB,
Sam

Quest Outfitters for uretek zips and sliders:

http://www.questoutfitters.com/zippers.htm#MAKE YOUR OWN ZIPPERS

Use the #5 - that should match the PL size. Definitely use the Zipper Wedges installation tip further down on the page. Makes installing any closed end zipper easier and neater siince you arent sewing across the zipper coils at the ends.

BTW, these guys have all the stuff you need to make replacement aluminum collapsible spars:

http://www.questoutfitters.com/tent_poles.htm#TENT POLES

Use the .433 diameter. I've made 6 sets for Arcs so far. Work great. They got all sorts of other useful stuff for kites - rings, buckles, d-rings.

BB - I'll check to see if I have any coil zip and sliders around. No promises.

krumly

Very nice. I could have new zippers in hand for under $10. This looks easier than soaking.

Quote:

Originally posted by krumly Quest Outfitters for uretek zips and sliders: http://www.questoutfitters.com/zippers.htm#MAKE YOUR OWN ZIPPERS Use the #5 - that should match the PL size. Definitely use the Zipper Wedges installation tip further down on the page. Makes installing any closed end zipper easier and neater siince you arent sewing across the zipper coils at the ends. BTW, these guys have all the stuff you need to make replacement aluminum collapsible spars: http://www.questoutfitters.com/tent_poles.htm#TENT POLES Use the .433 diameter. I've made 6 sets for Arcs so far. Work great. They got all sorts of other useful stuff for kites - rings, buckles, d-rings. BB - I'll check to see if I have any coil zip and sliders around. No promises. krumly

Thanks a million!!!

They even send to Portugal, :wee:
All summed, it's way cheaper then buying new spars.

What a great site

Beamer Bob -

Got plenty of uretek coil stock, sliders, and some 2" black dacron tape to make the 'zipper wedges.' PM me with an address, how many inches of coil stock, and how many sliders, and I'll drop 'em in the mail.

The sliders have two pull tabs - front and back. You'll cut the 'front' one off, because the uretek zippers get installed back side out.

Use a big needle (#16 or #18 sharps), heavy polyester thread, and about 8 stitches/inch. Taping stuff with 2-sided basting tape before sewing really helps, otherwise pin a lot.

krumly

krumly

This is awesome. I'm going to have a very nice 13 V for cheap. I"m going to study the manual on our sewing machine and see if I and it have what it takes.

Krumly,
Would you suggest using the waterproof zippers that they sell or the regular ones? Also, which would be better, the coil vs the teeth? I know nothing about zippers! One more question... Can you explain the wedge, is that a sewing teqnique or a part or the zipper? I'm actually ok with a sewing machine, just never done zippers.

Bob before you perform surgery mail it to me and I will get those zips free. Has the zipper slider or track been damaged.
Krumly have you used those zippers before on an ARC? I recall the golden zipper story. That is why I persisted to get the zippers freed.

Golden zipper story? This thread keeps getting better all the time!
Tell more!
BTW I still say soak them in vinegar. Work easy for me.

AD the inflate zippers are stuck closed and the deflate zipper is stuck open. The deflate zipper has a missing pull. I'm going to try the vinegar before I go any further. The deflate zipper should be easier since I can get to all sides of the zipper. I think if I can get the zippers working without removing and replacing them, I'm ahead and the kite remains original.

Many consider Krumly "the man" regarding arcs and what works and what doesn't with them. Never any BS. Just the facts, and accurate experience proven opinions.

Rub some hydrogen peroxide on those zippers

edit: I know nothing about the interaction of fabric and hydrogen peroxide, but seems to work wonders on zippers.

Flyfish -

Go to the Quest Outfitters page in my earlier post and read through it. All is explained. Uretek coil zips are what are used in kites, and yes youwant those because they minimize air leakage. Rubber face stays out, so you have to buy double-sided slides and cut off the OUTSIDE slide to leave a exposed slider. Single tabs would leave your slider tab inside the kite.

krumly

Thanks krumly! I'm going to buy some just to have onhand. Seems like there will be a day when I'll need them!