How To Fix a Zip on Your Cycling Kit
CHPT3 x Clothes Doctor - https://chpt3.com/pages/chpt3-x-cloth...
We design our garments from head to toe, paying close attention to every detail, this includes zips. It’s rare, but sometimes they go wrong. You can always send your garment back to us if there’s been a total failure but for older garments where repeated usage has started to take its toll, there’s a few simple tricks to fixing problematic zippers. Classic problems include separating, sliding open, or just getting stuck, and no one wants to throw away perfectly good kit because of a faulty zip.
Well, with these tips and tricks, you wont have to. Follow these steps to tackle annoying zippers on your cycling gear in no time.
1. The Zip Teeth Aren't Closing
It's sometimes hard to pin down what's causing this, so you may need to try a few tricks to find what works. Check whether any fabric is caught in the zip and remove with tweezers or by hand if so. If not, look at the individual teeth. If any of the teeth are sticking out, move them back into place with a pair of pliers. If the teeth are straight, there might be an issue with the slider mechanic. Over time the slider can start to come apart and lose grip of the teeth of the zip. With a pair of pliers, apply some gentle pressure to close the slider.
2. The Zip Is Jamming
Check that the surrounding fabric isn't caught in the teeth. Assess for any snags, folds or tangles that may have got caught. If you find that the surrounding fabric is caught, gently pull it away from the zip, either by hand or with tweezers, to ensure you do not tear the fabric. Take a graphite pencil and rub both sides of the teeth, focusing on the middle where the teeth intersect. If the zip glides smoothly, wipe off the remaining graphite. If the zip continues to stick, use a product with more lubrication.
Common household items such as soap, window cleaner, or lip balm will do the trick. Add the product directly to the teeth. Gradually pull down the zip, applying more product as you go, and continue to do so until the zip comes all the way down. Keep the product on the zip, avoiding the surrounding fabric to prevent discolouration and staining.
3. The Zip Won't Stay Up
This happens because the middle section of the zip tends to be stretched, and the pressure can cause the zip to slide back down. As a temporary fix you can attach a key-ring (about the size of a penny) or rubber band to the zip pull and hook to the button. Alternatively, if you find the zip is slippery, coat the top teeth with hairspray to add resistance.
If these fixes don't work, the zip might need replacing completely. In which case, contact us for an exchange or head to Clothes Doctor’s repair service to have it fixed. For zip replacement just request a quote from their team - they can repair everything from performance fabrics to synthetics and waterproof materials.
Hopefully these tips and tricks can help you tackle a multitude of zip problems. Just because kit is old, doesn’t mean it needs throwing out. There’s often a simple solution to extend its life, even just a little bit. And by doing so, you are helping to reduce your carbon footprint.