Maya Ellison
A broken zipper can be frustrating and embarrassing, especially when it leaves you exposed or causes your belongings to spill out. While plastic zippers are harder to fix, there are several ways to force a plastic zipper back together. You can use pliers to straighten bent teeth, squeeze the slider, or realign the zipper by taking it apart and putting it back together. However, it's important to avoid using too much force when dealing with plastic zippers, as they can easily break. If all else fails, you may need to replace the zipper or seek the help of a tailor.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Zipper type | Plastic |
| Problem | Zipper teeth separated |
| Solution 1 | Use small-tipped pliers to remove the u-shaped stops at the end of the zipper. Pull the slider off of the zipper. Press the teeth of the zipper together so they're alternating and popped into place. Put the slider back on the zipper. Reattach the stops. |
| Solution 2 | Squeeze the top and bottom of the slider with fingers or pliers to reduce the size of the opening. |
| Solution 3 | Straighten bent teeth with fingers or pliers. |
| Solution 4 | Use tape to fix the zipper. |
| Solution 5 | Paint clear nail polish on worn-down teeth to thicken them. |
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What You'll Learn
Realign the zipper teeth with your fingers
If the zipper teeth look out of place, use your fingers to realign them. Before attempting to zip it up again, check the zipper to ensure that any fabric is moved away from it and any loose threads are removed. If the teeth are plastic, gently try to straighten them with your fingers, as pliers could easily break them off.
If the teeth have become misaligned due to the gap or hole they go through widening, you can use pliers to gently squeeze the top and bottom plates of the zipper back together. This will restore the slider to its original, tighter shape. Be careful not to crush the slider.
If the zipper teeth are metal, you can use a pair of pliers to straighten them out. If the teeth are plastic, gently try to straighten them with your fingers, as pliers could easily break them off.
If the teeth have become misaligned due to wear and tear, you can try painting the teeth with clear nail polish. This will thicken the teeth and help the zipper to function again. Allow the nail polish to dry before trying the zipper. If the zipper still doesn't fasten, try adding another coat or two.
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Use pliers to straighten bent teeth
If the teeth of a plastic zipper are bent, you can use pliers to straighten them out. However, be gentle as plastic teeth can easily break. It is recommended to use needle-nose pliers for this purpose.
To straighten the teeth, slowly bend them back into position with the pliers. If the teeth appear to be twisted, you can try to straighten them first with your fingers before resorting to pliers.
If the teeth of the zipper are severely bent or broken, it may be necessary to replace the zipper. However, straightening the teeth with pliers can be a temporary solution to get the zipper sliding again.
In addition to straightening bent teeth, pliers can also be used for other zipper repairs. For example, they can be used to remove the metal stops at the end of the zipper, allowing you to take off the slider and manually close the zipper. Pliers can also be used to squeeze the slider of the zipper back to its original size if it has become widened.
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Squeeze the slider together
Squeezing the slider together is a good method to fix a broken zipper. This method works when the zipper pull doesn't close the zipper together anymore. The gap in the zipper widens over time, and the sliders start to loosen, making them less effective at fixing the teeth in place. To fix this, you must squeeze the slider on the top and bottom with your fingers or a pair of pliers. This will make the opening inside the slider the correct size again.
It is important to note that you should only squeeze the slider on one side, as the other side has a middle piece that prevents it from being squeezed. The side that needs to be squeezed is the side that gets opened. Also, be careful not to squeeze the slider too strongly, as you don't want to make the gap smaller than it should be. You will know the gap is too small if it becomes difficult to pull up and down the zipper slider along the tracks.
When squeezing the slider, make sure to hold it by the body, closer to the zipper teeth rather than the little pull tab. This will provide more power and control. If you feel the zipper getting stuck and not moving smoothly, stop zipping before making it worse. It is also important to check that the fabric is moved away from the zipper and that any loose threads are removed before attempting to squeeze the slider.
If the zipper still doesn't work after squeezing the slider, you may need to try another solution, such as realigning the zipper teeth or replacing the zipper altogether.
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Replace the zipper pull
A zipper pull is the tab that is attached to a zipper slider. You can hold onto it to move the slider up and down the zipper coil or zipper teeth. These zipper pull tabs can break off, or they may be plain and not match the garment or bag. It is easy to install a new pull tab. You can buy a replacement zipper pull tab online, in fabric stores, or in well-stocked craft stores. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, so be sure to buy one that is proportionate to your zipper slider. If you have a large, heavy-duty zipper, you should buy a large pull tab. If you have a smaller garment zipper, such as what you would find on a dress, buy a small pull tab instead.
You can also salvage a replacement pull tab from another zipper. If you don't know what size to get, bring the original pull tab or zipper into the store with you. If the loop on top of the slider is closed from end to end, you will need to pry it off with pliers or metal snips. Skip this step if the loop is open, like a hook. Remove the old zipper pull tab. If your zipper slider has a hook-type loop, grab the old zipper pull tab and wriggle it out.
Now, position your replacement pull tab on top of the zipper slider, ensuring that one of the stubs is inside the loop at the top of the pull tab. Place the loop back on top of the zipper slider, making sure to fit the teeth into the grooves, and press down on it with your finger. If you need to, use a block or the end of a marker to press it down. If you are worried about the pull tab falling out, you can clamp the loop shut with pliers.
If you are working with a slider that has a solid loop with no gap, you will need to remove the stop on the top of the slider side of the zipper and then remove the slider. Place the new slider on the zipper the same way the old one came off. Replace the stop, and your zipper repair is complete.
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Sew a new stop for the zipper
If you need to sew a new stop for a plastic zipper, there are a few methods you can try. Firstly, you can sew a fabric stop. Cut a small rectangle of fabric, binding, leather, or another suitable material. Fold this over the zipper teeth and sew it in place while attaching the zipper. This method blends the stop with the fabric of your garment, creating a clean look. However, it requires sewing over the zipper teeth, so proceed with caution to avoid damaging your needle. For coil and moulded tooth zippers, turn the balance wheel by hand to sew slowly through the teeth. If you're dealing with a metal zipper, sew up to the teeth, then raise your needle and presser foot to skip over them.
Another option is to use thread to sew a stop. Stitch the two sides of the zipper together with large thread to create a barrier for the zipper pull. This method works well when both ends of the zipper are sewn in place, such as in a pouch or pocket. However, it may not be suitable for open-ended zippers.
If you're working with a moulded tooth zipper, you can use a hotknife to melt the teeth together and create a stop. Cut a section of two to three teeth from a scrap piece of chain and fit it into the teeth at the end of your zipper. Then, use the hotknife to melt the teeth and create a permanent closure. This method can be used to create either a top stop or a bottom stop, depending on your needs.
Additionally, you can purchase zipper stops separately and attach them to your zipper using pliers. These come in various materials, including plastic and metal, and can be installed before or after sewing. Metal top stops can be crimped onto the zipper tape or pierced onto it with prongs. For moulded tooth zippers, you can use a SNAPCAP®, which is easy to install by placing, twisting, and pushing it into place.
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Frequently asked questions
If the zipper teeth look out of place, use your finger to smooth them back together. If the teeth are plastic, gently try to straighten them with your fingers, as pliers could easily break them off.
Zippers can get stuck for several reasons. They may snag on some fabric, or the metal or plastic teeth may break or become worn. If the teeth are worn down, paint clear nail polish on the teeth tracks to thicken or build them up. Allow it to dry before trying the zipper again.
Try using WD-40 to lubricate the zipper. If this doesn't work, stick a sharp pin into the track where it's stuck. Once it's back on track, use more WD-40 to get it moving smoothly.
If your zipper is broken beyond repair, you can replace it. It is not difficult to replace a zipper if you are handy with a sewing machine, but for valuable items, it is better to go to a tailor for a fix.
