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Author Topic:   Mills Zipper - How to 'un-stick?'

bkoelbel posted 07-20-2011 05:12 PM ET (US)
Despite multiple soakings with WD-40.....I cannot get the zipper on my bimini cover to budge.
It's original equipment from 2001....and the problem seems to be a combination of corrosion, salt air, and a broken 'grab' piece (sorry for the ad-libbed terminology)
Any thoiughts on another solution or 'penetrant' to release this zipper?
Thanks.
Slick 50 posted 07-20-2011 10:15 PM ET (US)
You might try water to dissolve and remove the salt deposits.
Good luck,
Rick
macfam posted 07-20-2011 10:45 PM ET (US)
Call or email Mills.
http://www.millscanvas.com/
weekendwarrior posted 07-20-2011 11:51 PM ET (US)
You have to pick up the part where the grab piece used to connect. when that part is down the zipper is locked.
weekendwarrior posted 07-21-2011 07:55 AM ET (US)
Use a paperclip or something similar. :)
lakeside25 posted 07-21-2011 08:25 AM ET (US)
Zipper pulls can be easily be replaced with a pair of needle nose pliers.
Mills uses #10 YKK type zippers usually. A pull is worth about a $1.50 at a canvas maker or even a fabric store. Unless a tooth is missing, then the whole zipper needs to go, which could happen if the pull is forced too much. The pulls do wear out eventually so I replaced all mine last year.
Tom W Clark posted 07-21-2011 10:21 AM ET (US)
How does one replace a zipper slider with needle nose pliers? It is normally held captive on the zipper.
As for penetrants, I recommend AeroKroil.
home Aside posted 07-21-2011 01:42 PM ET (US)
Tom, I think he's just talking about replacing the pull tab on the zipper slider
lizard posted 07-22-2011 08:30 PM ET (US)
Had the same problem with a coated zipper on my soft-sided, tool bag that I take out when I boat (lives in a dry garage otherwise).
I tried several solvent/lubricant products without any luck. I was about to go out and buy a hard-shelled tool box when I found this:
[uri]http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=331511&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=10102&subdeptNum=10180&classNum=10182[url]
One application and the zipper opened up, a second one and it moved freely in both directions. The clerk at West Marine said she also uses it on the zippers in her foul weather gear and it does not bleed into the fabric or affect waterproofing. I did not test that so you are on your own there.
Fantastic product. Expensive.
lizard posted 07-22-2011 08:32 PM ET (US)
I can not type today:
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ ProductDisplay?productId=331511&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151& storeNum=10102&subdeptNum=10180&classNum=10182
Sixer posted 07-23-2011 09:40 AM ET (US)
Try some distilled vinegar. Easily removes salt deposits. Test on any fabric first.
Jefecinco posted 07-23-2011 10:05 AM ET (US)
The best zipper pull tab replacement I've found is a round key ring of the appropriate size. They are easy to pull and to install and the price is unbeatable.
Butch
KDW posted 07-23-2011 09:01 PM ET (US)
Take it to a Brothal....HA
Sorry, I couldn't resist.
Powergroove803 posted 07-25-2011 12:38 PM ET (US)
Lizard, you can buy the same stuff at Northern Tool for around $3.99 a can, look for silicone spray, how do I know? Ive spent alot of money on McLube over the eyars until I discovered the off brand for around $9 cheaper a can. Both are wonderful products for everything you would use WD40 for, but not messy at all. It does wear off with water applications.
elaelap posted 07-25-2011 02:30 PM ET (US)
My favorite zipper story: My boat partner Matt/placerville and I were returning from a fishing trip in 'Strike3', our 1973 Revenge prototype, and were stopped by the USCG in Bodega Bay harbor for an equipment check. I grabbed our safety equipment bag, a canvas duffel closed by a coated zipper, knowing we had all the requisite gear and more inside -- flares, air horn, first aid kit, Very pistol, distress flag, etc. Whoops...stuck zipper. Seriously stuck zipper. Impossible to un-zip zipper. After fumbling with the damn thing for an embarrassing couple of minutes, conscious of the young Coasties' not-too-subtle attempts to hide their grins, out with my trusty pocket knife and zip! a long slice through the canvas alongside the zipper. All's well that ends well--we were warned, not cited, for having some barely out-of-date flares and sent on our way with a smile. But some emergency kit, eh?
Tony
lizard posted 07-25-2011 04:30 PM ET (US)
PowerGroove- I just looked on Northern Tool's site and could not find any silicone sprays. I tried other silicone products, one I think was from McNett, but nothing worked as well as the McLube.
If you can find a link for the Northern Tool product, I would appreciate it.
Powergroove803 posted 07-27-2011 01:33 PM ET (US)
I just sent Lizard an email with a pic, sorry I dont have the skills to post here. Its called High Performance Dry Lube made by 3 in one, hope this helps.

lizard posted 07-27-2011 10:55 PM ET (US)
The Dry Lube product that PowerGroove sent me a link on is a 3-in-1 product, owned by WD40. After an exhaustive day on the phone with numerous WD40 staff, I can report that the product has been discontinued. If you can find it on the shelves anywhere, it is probably worth buying it.
bkoelbel posted 07-28-2011 09:38 PM ET (US)
McLube did the trick after a 5 minute 'soak'
Thanks lizard!!!
lakeside25 posted 07-29-2011 08:33 AM ET (US)
Tom,
At the end of a tooth zipper, not the starting end, there's a 'zipper stop' clamped on to prevent the pull from coming off. These can be carefully removed using small pliers and possibly a kitchen knife that isn't too sharp so as not to cut the fabric the teeth are attached to. Then the zipper pull will slide off. Once you have a new zipper pull on, a new zipper stop can be clamped back on using the pliers. The zipper stops are usually available at custom makers since they do this a fair bit I think.
On my original Mills the zipper stops had already been customized (shortened by Mills I assume) and I was able to reuse the zipper stops. They're made from some flexible metal? I did this because some of the pulls didn't have the pull tab on both sides.
In another life I worked for a mountaineering company customizing down sleeping sleeping bags and down clothing and we did this often for the tall & short folks. The company wasn't big enough to order the volume required by YKK for every zipper length. So we made our own lengths as required.
sblack posted 07-31-2011 07:48 PM ET (US)
You have the best canvas in the country on our boat, so if you only need to replace the zipper, then just go for it.
I have a 1989 Revenge that still has the original canvas out here in San Diego.
I have had to replace the isenglass sections and some stitching, but even after 22 years the canvas has been amazing and has held up great as long as it is soaked with a water proofing spray.
I believe I only have 1-2 years left of life on the canvas, but I will only replace it with the WM Mills as it is the best quality canvas product which Whaler is known for.
I owned a 1986 Montauk with a Bimini/Weather top and often ran into problems as it would lay , unused during the winter, unrinsed and the zippers would freeze up from salt water leaving me the only option to replace them.

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Author	Topic: Mills Zipper - How to 'un-stick?'
bkoelbel	posted 07-20-2011 05:12 PM ET (US) Despite multiple soakings with WD-40.....I cannot get the zipper on my bimini cover to budge. It's original equipment from 2001....and the problem seems to be a combination of corrosion, salt air, and a broken 'grab' piece (sorry for the ad-libbed terminology) Any thoiughts on another solution or 'penetrant' to release this zipper? Thanks.
Slick 50	posted 07-20-2011 10:15 PM ET (US) You might try water to dissolve and remove the salt deposits. Good luck, Rick
macfam	posted 07-20-2011 10:45 PM ET (US) Call or email Mills. http://www.millscanvas.com/
weekendwarrior	posted 07-20-2011 11:51 PM ET (US) You have to pick up the part where the grab piece used to connect. when that part is down the zipper is locked.
weekendwarrior	posted 07-21-2011 07:55 AM ET (US) Use a paperclip or something similar. :)
lakeside25	posted 07-21-2011 08:25 AM ET (US) Zipper pulls can be easily be replaced with a pair of needle nose pliers. Mills uses #10 YKK type zippers usually. A pull is worth about a $1.50 at a canvas maker or even a fabric store. Unless a tooth is missing, then the whole zipper needs to go, which could happen if the pull is forced too much. The pulls do wear out eventually so I replaced all mine last year.
Tom W Clark	posted 07-21-2011 10:21 AM ET (US) How does one replace a zipper slider with needle nose pliers? It is normally held captive on the zipper. As for penetrants, I recommend AeroKroil.
home Aside	posted 07-21-2011 01:42 PM ET (US) Tom, I think he's just talking about replacing the pull tab on the zipper slider
lizard	posted 07-22-2011 08:30 PM ET (US) Had the same problem with a coated zipper on my soft-sided, tool bag that I take out when I boat (lives in a dry garage otherwise). I tried several solvent/lubricant products without any luck. I was about to go out and buy a hard-shelled tool box when I found this: [uri]http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=331511&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=10102&subdeptNum=10180&classNum=10182[url] One application and the zipper opened up, a second one and it moved freely in both directions. The clerk at West Marine said she also uses it on the zippers in her foul weather gear and it does not bleed into the fabric or affect waterproofing. I did not test that so you are on your own there. Fantastic product. Expensive.
lizard	posted 07-22-2011 08:32 PM ET (US) I can not type today: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ ProductDisplay?productId=331511&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151& storeNum=10102&subdeptNum=10180&classNum=10182
Sixer	posted 07-23-2011 09:40 AM ET (US) Try some distilled vinegar. Easily removes salt deposits. Test on any fabric first.
Jefecinco	posted 07-23-2011 10:05 AM ET (US) The best zipper pull tab replacement I've found is a round key ring of the appropriate size. They are easy to pull and to install and the price is unbeatable. Butch
KDW	posted 07-23-2011 09:01 PM ET (US) Take it to a Brothal....HA Sorry, I couldn't resist.
Powergroove803	posted 07-25-2011 12:38 PM ET (US) Lizard, you can buy the same stuff at Northern Tool for around $3.99 a can, look for silicone spray, how do I know? Ive spent alot of money on McLube over the eyars until I discovered the off brand for around $9 cheaper a can. Both are wonderful products for everything you would use WD40 for, but not messy at all. It does wear off with water applications.
elaelap	posted 07-25-2011 02:30 PM ET (US) My favorite zipper story: My boat partner Matt/placerville and I were returning from a fishing trip in 'Strike3', our 1973 Revenge prototype, and were stopped by the USCG in Bodega Bay harbor for an equipment check. I grabbed our safety equipment bag, a canvas duffel closed by a coated zipper, knowing we had all the requisite gear and more inside -- flares, air horn, first aid kit, Very pistol, distress flag, etc. Whoops...stuck zipper. Seriously stuck zipper. Impossible to un-zip zipper. After fumbling with the damn thing for an embarrassing couple of minutes, conscious of the young Coasties' not-too-subtle attempts to hide their grins, out with my trusty pocket knife and zip! a long slice through the canvas alongside the zipper. All's well that ends well--we were warned, not cited, for having some barely out-of-date flares and sent on our way with a smile. But some emergency kit, eh? Tony
lizard	posted 07-25-2011 04:30 PM ET (US) PowerGroove- I just looked on Northern Tool's site and could not find any silicone sprays. I tried other silicone products, one I think was from McNett, but nothing worked as well as the McLube. If you can find a link for the Northern Tool product, I would appreciate it.
Powergroove803	posted 07-27-2011 01:33 PM ET (US) I just sent Lizard an email with a pic, sorry I dont have the skills to post here. Its called High Performance Dry Lube made by 3 in one, hope this helps.
lizard	posted 07-27-2011 10:55 PM ET (US) The Dry Lube product that PowerGroove sent me a link on is a 3-in-1 product, owned by WD40. After an exhaustive day on the phone with numerous WD40 staff, I can report that the product has been discontinued. If you can find it on the shelves anywhere, it is probably worth buying it.
bkoelbel	posted 07-28-2011 09:38 PM ET (US) McLube did the trick after a 5 minute 'soak' Thanks lizard!!!
lakeside25	posted 07-29-2011 08:33 AM ET (US) Tom, At the end of a tooth zipper, not the starting end, there's a 'zipper stop' clamped on to prevent the pull from coming off. These can be carefully removed using small pliers and possibly a kitchen knife that isn't too sharp so as not to cut the fabric the teeth are attached to. Then the zipper pull will slide off. Once you have a new zipper pull on, a new zipper stop can be clamped back on using the pliers. The zipper stops are usually available at custom makers since they do this a fair bit I think. On my original Mills the zipper stops had already been customized (shortened by Mills I assume) and I was able to reuse the zipper stops. They're made from some flexible metal? I did this because some of the pulls didn't have the pull tab on both sides. In another life I worked for a mountaineering company customizing down sleeping sleeping bags and down clothing and we did this often for the tall & short folks. The company wasn't big enough to order the volume required by YKK for every zipper length. So we made our own lengths as required.
sblack	posted 07-31-2011 07:48 PM ET (US) You have the best canvas in the country on our boat, so if you only need to replace the zipper, then just go for it. I have a 1989 Revenge that still has the original canvas out here in San Diego. I have had to replace the isenglass sections and some stitching, but even after 22 years the canvas has been amazing and has held up great as long as it is soaked with a water proofing spray. I believe I only have 1-2 years left of life on the canvas, but I will only replace it with the WM Mills as it is the best quality canvas product which Whaler is known for. I owned a 1986 Montauk with a Bimini/Weather top and often ran into problems as it would lay , unused during the winter, unrinsed and the zippers would freeze up from salt water leaving me the only option to replace them.