Metal zip(per) stuck- any tips?

VintageFray

VintageFray

Alumni
Hello, I have a lovley 'susan small' 1950's dress, with a metal side zip- that will not budge! Does anyone have any tips- short of replacing the zip :puzzled: ? Its stuck at the very top. It would be such a shame if i had to replace it. Thanks everyone

Rosine
 
If the teeth are bent out of shape, there's likely no hope for it! But if it's stuck from age--maybe a little rusted or something , I'd try using a bit of oil (sewing machine oil if you have it) in an wee eyedropper, unless it has a very narrow spout (so you don't get any on the fabric) and inject a couple tiny drops into each side of the openings on the metal slide. Then take a pair of pliers to hold the zipper by its tab, hold the zipper & fabric taut as possible and gently pull the tab down. The pliers give a much better grip than using your fingers and you don't have to yank & pull. This has worked for me two or three times, both on dress zippers & purse zippers. Sometimes it hasn't, but it's worth a try, I think. Once it unzips, if it does, check the teeth, and you can sometimes shift any where the entire tooth is just out of alignment on the fabric of the zipper. But if the tooth itself is bent/damaged, then it's probably a goner.
 
WD-40 on a q-tip... that is what I use if it has that green gunk or no visable damage to the zipper teeth itself..

Michelle
 
There's no damage to the zip- it's just stuck. What is wd-40 and what is a q-tip lol? Thanks for the oil tip lovely_rita, i'll give it a go thanks!
 
I usually use WD-40, but you can also rub a plain candle or a bar of soap along the teeth where it's getting stuck.

Vera
 
I use candle wax if it's "sticky," but if it's stuck tight and won't move, wax won't help it unless you can get it to slide a bit. At least that's been my experience! Once you get it unstuck, the wax can be a good thing to run up & down the teeth to keep the zipper running smooth. I got the impression this particular zipper won't budge at all? Which is when I grab the oil & pliers!
 
Thanks everyone- i ended up using olive oil (i didnt have any sewing machine oil) It took a few times with the pliers (and sore fingers on my part) but finally got it working!(thanks lovely_rita). I'll definitely be rubbing wax all over it though! don't want it to get stuck again...
 
Hmmm, no Q-tips in Scotland? It's a cotton swab on the end of a stick, use them to clean all those nitty gritty body parts like in your ear and nose.

Anyway, I'll second Anne's pliers, but I suggest two pair, one to grab the metal a the top of the zip opening, the other the pull tab. Your fingers will thank you.
I do a bit of flexing and wiggling to loosen the zip. I also use Chap Stick, petrolium jelly lip balm (do you have that there?) as a lube for the zip, once the zip is loose, run that on the teeth and zip up and down to spread it out.
Less likely to run than oil, more wash friendly if it spreads.

Jenn
 
Oh yes, but here they're called cotton buds- sorry i've never heard them called q-tips before. Yes we have vaseline here, i'll keep that one in mind next time i come across a stubborn zip- thanks again!:bouncy:
 
Hey, Jenn, thanks for the tip on using two pairs of pliers--I never thought of that, but it definitely would make it easier! Thanks! Here's hoping, though, that I won't have the chance to try it out for quite some time....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top