Ambulance: what to do if the zipper breaks
Stop jerking the slider violently! There is an exit.
For the first time the zipper was patented already in 1893, today it is found everywhere. But even such convenient and reliable locks sometimes bring unpleasant surprises and break. Sometimes it happens at the most inopportune moment. How to be? Of course, the first thing you do is contact your man, who, armed with pliers and an awl, will quickly cope with the problem. But what if the beloved is not at home, the lightning disperses, and there is no time to run to the sewing workshop? Calm, only calm!
The first step is to make sure that there is no fabric stuck between the teeth. Gently stretching the lock in the direction where it can move, we release all unnecessary. There should be no sudden movements, so not only the lock, but also the lining can be damaged. Then you need to increase the sliding of the lock: grease the teeth of the zipper with lip balm or rub with soap. You can also use a paraffin candle or rub the teeth with a regular pencil. If the lock is hardly fastened on a leather jacket, it can be smeared with a piece of bacon along its entire length (it is likely that oily stains will remain on textile things, it is better not to experiment). Pull the slider gently up and down, it should slide easily over the teeth.
If the tongue comes off, a regular paper clip or a ring from the key fob will serve as a temporary replacement. If the hole where the tongue was attached is also damaged, the slider will have to be replaced. You can buy it at a sewing store. In order not to be mistaken when buying, take the old slider with you as a sample. Using an awl, remove the metal stops from the zipper, then remove the broken slider, replacing it with a new one. Replace the restraints.
The main thing is not to make sudden movements. You need to “treat” lightning smoothly
Most likely, one of the teeth is bent and you need to return it to its original position. Try placing the zipper on a hard, level surface and hitting it with a hammer. This must be done along the entire length, from the inside and outside. Do not overdo it to prevent the zipper from bending or breaking the teeth. Then clamp the slider with pliers. Clamping should be at each edge of the slider, not in the center where the tongue is attached. Perform this manipulation without squeezing the edges too hard. Overdoing it, you can make the slider stop moving altogether. This procedure is good for a single use. If the lock breaks again, you will have to change the slider. If some of the teeth have fallen out on the zipper, the lock will also need to be replaced.
Has the zip started to disperse on the shoes? It is necessary to grease the teeth of the zipper with a solution of rosin in alcohol and leave to dry. After that, the lightning will work as before. There are also special shoe fasteners that can be purchased at the store. Bag damaged? Try to start by reducing the amount of things in it, thereby you will reduce the pressure that is on the zipper. You can also lubricate the teeth with something that will make it easier to slide, such as hand cream.
Most often, this problem can be encountered on jeans. If the zipper comes open, pass the key ring through the tab of the slider. Close the zip and slide the ring over the button. Such a simple design will be hidden from the eyes of others and will save you from the likelihood that the fly will suddenly open. If the slider breaks off one side of the zipper, you need to make an incision with scissors in the very bottom of it. It should be so deep that you can put the slider on the second part of the zipper. Then we drag the slider below and, putting it on the second part of the zipper, fasten the lock. The incision must be stitched using jeans-colored thread.
Get in the habit of not pulling the lock with all your might as soon as the lightning is stubborn and does not go like clockwork. Such careless handling of the product can lead to the fact that the zipper can even come off the base of the garment. In these cases, it is advisable to take a needle and thread and simply sew the zipper back on. If you have a sewing machine on hand, you can use it. It so happens that the slider flies from above. This suggests that it is necessary to install a new limiter that will restrain it. Place the dog on the tape where it came off, and then hem the edges of the zipper with the appropriate color thread. Such a limiter will stop the slider in time, preventing it from falling off the lightning.
How to extend the life of a lightning
– When washing, the item must be turned inside out and zipped on it.
– When ironing clothes with a plastic lock, make sure that the iron does not fall on it, it can deform the teeth.
– Outerwear with zippers cannot be stored folded in the warm season, this may cause the “snake” to bend.
– Pay attention to dirt, clean the teeth of the zipper from grains of sand, especially for shoes. An old toothbrush will help you a lot with this.