Unsalting zips - best technique

[sam waites]

Hi all

What are the best techniques for unsalting zips? I was recently given an Old Peak Sea Vest by a mate who has long since given up on sea paddling, and did not take great care of his kit. One of the zips on the BA seems to have completely seized up - any ideas on what to do?

Thanks in advance for any advice rendered!

Sam

[ianPDCC]

Hi,first of all you will need to thoroughly wash all salt off of the item,then if it is a BA I would protect the material around the zip with a plastic bag or cloth's .
Then with a can of penetrating oil (WD-40 etc) apply liberally to the zip and leave overnight.Next apply a little more oil and work in with a small brush,stiff bristle will be best,work the oil in until the dirt begins to move around freely.Then very gently begin to move the zip up and down little by little until you get more movement,keep doing this until you have worked all the zip free.Once you have the zip working again wash off all the oil and apply a little silicon lubricant to the zip.
This should work ok but be carefull not to force the zip or damage could result.
Good luck,Ian.

[Owen]

Try vinegar.

[soundoftheseagull]

I,ve had sucess recently with pouring bioled water over the zip, happened with both zips on my Lomo boots and a bag for my fishing kit

[Jurassic]

Another vote for vinegar. If the zip has become jammed due to salt clogging and corrosion WD40 won't have much effect. Boiling water works but not as well as vinegar. I've unclogged quite a few windsurfing board bag zips using all three methods over the last few years.

[Jonny-the-ski]

A good prevention is to put vasaline on the zipper. Use this on all my boardbags. Often I'd get an old ski/board out of the locker that hasn't been surfed for a year or so with no issues

[Jim]

Depends how bad they have got, I have unseized some and others simply fell apart because they were so corroded.
If the zip is dead I would suggest using a fairly big (chunky) plastic chain zip to replace it - you can get them from the likes of profabrics or pennine outdoor, either a pre-made length or off the roll to make yoursfelf (don't forget sliders).
I have repaired several kitesurf bags and my paddle bag this way, can't remember what size zip I used though.

[mick m]

Stay away from patrolium bace lubricants , Vinigar is good hot water to flush out the zip is good , I dont like vasileen or greas tipe products as thay cach sand, a dry lube stick such as Goss dri lube is exelant, and silicon spray is good to lubricat and flush our crap with to.
I tend to spray all new zips I replace in gear. If you do need to replace the zip go for a YKK nilon head , with a big tooth

[Jurassic]

Yeah, use silicon spray (you can buy it from places like Halfords) or silicon zip lube (you can get from a lot of chandlers) rather than WD40. If you get the zip lube you can use it on your drysuit and/or wetsuit zips too.
There's an interesting feature on salt damaged zips here (it refers to windsurfing bags but the principles are the same). I've replaced a few zip runners as they suggest and it works a treat and is easy to do.
http://www.windsurfer.co.uk/zipcare.htm

[Canoe-Cowal]

Yip as Owen says Vinegar but warm it first

J

[TechnoEngineer]

Would urine work?

[samsurfs]

Vinegar warmed in the microwave and squirted into zip teeth area works really well.