In recent years, I began to often encounter breakdowns of the zipper slider. It feels like it is made from plasticine. First, the slider, or as it is also called the “dog,” bends and stops snapping the teeth, and then completely breaks into pieces. Several times a season you have to repair your bag, your jeans, your jacket and your boots. Moreover, I don’t buy the cheapest things, and use them carefully (learned from bitter experience).
In general, one fine day I got tired of using the services of the studio. I decided to fix my jacket myself. And I didn’t regret it. I spent only 50 rubles on a new, good-quality “dog”, and “added” it in a couple of seconds. I’m sharing a life hack on how to insert a zipper slider using a fork.
Types of zipper
The runner varies in structure. The most common types are:
- Tractor. Outwardly, it resembles the tracks of the voiced car. Its main distinguishing feature is the fastening of plastic teeth to a textile tape.
- Spiral fasteners. Synthetic fiber becomes their basis. The product also consists of a spiral, which replaces the teeth of a zipper.
- Metal runner. In appearance, such a dog can easily be confused with a tractor. The difference is the presence of nickel or brass teeth with increased structural strength. The result is a practical and secure fit.
- Secret slider. In this case, there is no need to look for the teeth when they are hidden behind the fabric on the same jeans. In sports dances, such zippers and their twisted base are indispensable when choosing a costume.
With so many varieties available, replacing the slider depends on the cause of the zipper failure.
Repair of the metal slider in the zipper is the least likely to be needed.
After all, we are talking about the practicality of the model.
The castle diverges
The only thing that needs to be replaced is the fastener on the jeans, which suddenly came apart. If this is not possible, then you can do the following: Insert an elastic band for money into the tongue of the carriage and hook it to the button after fastening it. The zipper on jeans can be temporarily fixed using a stapler or paper clip. When you have pliers or another similar tool at hand, you need to pinch the edges of the slider on both sides. A weak carriage is most often the reason why the zipper keeps coming undone.
The right place on the fabric for the zipper
The work ahead depends not only on the type of clothing. It’s good if the work technique is supported by correct calculations. We focus on the following parameters:
- Sizing. The length of the item purchased is important. It’s still worth leaving a couple of cm of zipper in reserve. An even stitch is ultimately ensured and it will not be difficult to cut off the remaining tails.
- Correct markings. For a hidden or open zipper, it is important to mark the lines in the intended areas. You can draw them with a piece of soap or chalk.
- Note for the base of the garment. A similar method is needed with initial knowledge of surface treatment. You will have to sew in the zipper during basting and remove it after basting.
- The final touch. After the points voiced, it will not be difficult to complete the work efficiently. Now, manually or using a sewing machine, complete the repair of the broken areas.
It is important to remember that the side for the zipper: bottom, top, side in size and its location matters. From the side, its scale can become significantly smaller when processing trousers and other underwear.
DIY repair materials
Repairing a hidden fastener does not require a lot of materials, the main thing is to choose a suitable lock. You will need:
- slider of the required size;
- candle or lighter;
- scissors;
- needle with thread.
IMPORTANT ! If the zipper is broken on the finished product, take a lighter. It is not safe to scorch the edges with a candle, because you will have to lift the entire product and hold it over the fire.
Runner: ways to replace the dog and cloves
Initially, it is easy to quickly put it on, taking into account some varieties:
- Broken teeth. The entire zipper will definitely need to be replaced later. Seamstress skills with some practice will be required. After all, the conversation was about a very serious breakdown.
- The fasteners are damaged. In this case, you cannot do without improvised means. In the current situation, the lightning slider definitely begins to diverge. Sometimes with the inability to save lightning.
- The ends are separated. Such a defect is often found on the surface of a jacket. In this case, the condition of the fixative should be tightened. This is the name given to the closing link in the form of a large tooth.
- Runner slipping. Using pliers you can actually change a surprise that is dangerous to your clothes. However, one should not hope for the longevity of such a process.
- The puller doesn't listen. It can simply be broken off with a strong jerk. Most likely, the lock itself was initially poorly made or simply worn out.
Any of the reported breakdowns requires detailed study.
The lock often needs to be adjusted correctly and professionally.
The zipper on my jeans keeps coming undone
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If the zipper on your trousers constantly comes apart, for example, when bending or squatting, a simple design made from improvised means will help you avoid the inconvenience. A small metal ring or twisted piece of soft wire should be attached to the pawl and placed over the button in the fastened position. This solution to the problem is temporary, but will protect you from awkward situations for a while. Often the reason for the sudden opening of the zipper is excessive tension in the fabric at the zipper fastening point, when the jeans are small or too tight.
Partial product repair
It makes no sense to buy a new zipper when you can fix the old one.
Fixing the defect is simple with the help of well-chosen means at hand.
We solve everything with pliers
It is better to fasten the damaged areas of the zipper using less drastic methods. Sometimes it is not possible to set the slider correctly otherwise. Sewing up a section of clothing is a chance to solve the problem just a little.
Is the old element broken?
You should try to clamp if there are no significant defects in the teeth. It is important to change the upper runner retainer. Next, zip load it.
The process must be done carefully when using the slider on the new replacement bracket.
Next, pliers (pliers) squeeze this part of the zipper. At this point, the master sometimes uses a side cutter. All that remains is to check the functioning of the repaired zipper after eliminating the cause. Press and she's in action.
See how to install the pawl using a fork.
Using a fork
Such tools, after using them, will even eliminate the trouble of a flown slider. Brief instructions for its use:
- Inserting teeth into holes. The hole in the slider becomes the downward direction. Do and react quickly: a guide to the lightning socket when placing it on the slider.
- Moving the weak link. Use a fork to push it into place. At the same time, the fasteners move and catch with your fingers, causing great inconvenience.
For small deformations, this method can be counted on and is often used.
In case of more serious damage, it is advisable to use a fork when eating food.
Nail scissors are used
If there is no serious damage to the zipper, the deformed area is clamped with nail scissors at the base of the slider in order to put it on the same skirt. Simply remove a couple of cloves and remove them using a sounded tool. After placing the pawl on a flat surface, the insertion point is secured with a thread in several turns.
The threads must match the tone of the braid.
After all, we are still talking about processing with a hidden seam to bring part of the tongue back to normal.
Cleaning up the dog using PVA
The method is suitable for repairing the product at home and therefore it is worth recommending in such cases. If there are two sliders, it is important to use PVA rationally and act according to a clear pattern:
- Degreasing the lock. If you want to correct any errors that have arisen, alcohol and acetone are suitable. A cotton swab will also be needed to treat the area.
- Applying glue. Apply a solution to tighten the damaged links into the perimeter of the fastening. As a result, the slider is clearly fixed at double size.
- Processing in two layers. This is about liquid glue, after which work resumes. There is no point in taking risks later if a second treatment is necessary.
After this, it is possible to put the dog into working mode with your own hands for some time. How long it will last depends on many nuances.
The most drastic means
Few people are surprised by pliers and vices these days. More creative options when fastening the lock will look more interesting. A candle will do. It can easily be filled with a lighter if the zipper is permanent. Both objects act in the same direction - to fuse the damaged ends. The finished product still involves the use of a candle. It’s clear that this is about a plastic base.
Wax can stop the destruction of some links.
However, we should not forget about the short duration of this process.
Then the snake must be completely replaced, because the connectors cannot be restored.
Lock and different types of zippers
Very often, snake fasteners are used when sewing jackets, raincoats, and other outerwear.
Metal split clasp
To know how to change the slider on a jacket that has a detachable metal snake, proceed as follows:
- Initially, the limiter located there is removed on one of the sides. To do this, they bite it off with a side cutter. In the case when the latch captures the fabric inside itself, it is carefully pryed off with thin scissors or a screwdriver.
- Using scissors, they cut the thickening of the braid on which the lock is located or make a so-called cut. This is done to remove the old pawl and freely install the new one. It is better to grease the cloves with oil. If the slider is difficult to remove, rock it slightly. To avoid damaging the teeth and the new slider, it is not advisable to use force.
- Insert the slider, holding it slightly at an angle.
- Connect both parts of the zipper, insert them into the slider, and check its operation. Using a buttonhole stitch, the edges of the cut are tightened.
How to carefully insert a new runner for clothes and bags
The new component will have to be inserted into place when it is completely deformed.
Typically, breakdowns occur when there is a detachable zipper.
Helpful tips in this regard:
- Materials and their preparation. Use a needle, threads in an identical tone, and a slider of the required size when further working with pliers.
- Putting on a zipper strip. The new slider is placed exactly in this place. Look for a zipper stopper that can also be secured with pliers.
- Fixation on the other side. It is enough to secure this edge of the zipper with a piece of fabric.
- Do-it-yourself fixer-limiter in place. A few stitches will be enough. It is important to insert the zipper slider so that it does not fall out and the contacts do not separate.
All processes can be done independently.
On pants or a backpack, this way out works.
How to remove the limiter
The stopper prevents the pawl from flying out of the zipper, and in order to insert a new one or return the one that flew off, it must be removed. The stopper is the bracket at the end of the zipper. It can be metal or plastic. The plastic one can be removed only once - to do this, you need to squeeze it from the sides with pliers, and it will come off. The metal bracket can be soldered and compressed. The soldered one is removed in the same way as the plastic one, taking into account the fact that it will no longer be possible to return it back. The compressed bracket can be straightened with the tip of a knife or other improvised object, and after installing the pawl, return it to its place, clamping it tightly.
How to easily make a runner on a jacket
Buying another one is not an option. A more radical way out of the situation is to save your favorite part of the wardrobe. It doesn’t matter its price, from a Chinese down jacket to an exclusive one.
Children often break plastic zippers.
Moreover, both sides of the runner suffer, and they fail very quickly. The ability to make them usable is simple:
- It's not worth saving. It is better to choose a metal structure rather than using plastic fasteners. It is doubtful to temporarily solder them with glue, given the almost zero guarantee of safety of the actions performed.
- Do not clamp indefinitely. In the best case, you end up purchasing a zipper that cannot be used. It can damage the edges of the fabric around the fastening, which should not be forgotten.
- Avoid cracked runner. The dog is not to blame for anything in such a crisis situation for the jacket. It is not recommended to use pliers excessively as they put quite serious pressure on a fragile area.
- Steam the broken area. Initially, getting rid of a fundamental problem is more productive than then losing the item while saving and it is more likely to be saved only by completely replacing the zipper.
The last indicator is considered the last reference point in the once working lightning slider.
Buckles on boots
Stylish shoes are a very expensive luxury, so replacing the zipper on your boots will save the situation from a new purchase. The following helpful tips will help:
- Dial the phone number depending on the workshop price list. If you need to repair very expensive shoes made of genuine leather, you will have to find a specialist. Replacing a zipper with such an expensive product on your own is not acceptable.
- Search the site. Some articles provide quite detailed information about handling things. You will get lifehacks by typing what you need into the search bar on the keyboard of your laptop or computer and follow the link. The author of the video will tell you step by step how to solve the difficulties that have arisen.
- Study the comment format. A feed on virtual networks will tell literally everything from experienced consumers. Otherwise, it would be more reasonable to consider all messages as being fake. The best solution in this regard is to change the dog in the workshop when it breaks. In this case, contacting a specialist is not enough.
Replacing the slider
After preparing all the materials for replacing the mechanism on the snake, they move on to the work itself.
It should be noted that even if the slider that flew off the snake remains in good condition, compression during repair can cause it to break after some time.
When replacing a slider, the sequence of actions is as follows:
- Take a knife (screwdriver) and remove the stopper from one, if there is a detachable connection at the bottom, or two halves of the fastener. The old slider is also removed if it is on the snake.
- Put on a new lock.
- Return the limiter to its place.
This operating procedure is suitable for detachable types of fasteners on dressing gowns and jackets. It is also used to change the runner of shoes and boots. When the zipper on trousers or skirt is faulty, the work becomes somewhat more complicated.