11
REDUCING THE RISK OF JAMMING
FABRIC IN THE ZIP
• When using the zip, hold the pull-tab
between your thumb and forefinger with
your thumb facing you.
• As you are closing the zip clear the way
in front and under the zip slider using the
back of your hand, and cup the zip slider
underneath with your remaining 3 fingers.
Use this action for opening or closing. Keep
the fabric clear of the zip slider - zip and unzip
slowly.
WHAT TO DO IF THE ZIPPER GETS
CAUGHT
• Pull the fabric bit by bit out of the slider. Do
not try and pull all the fabric in one go. Do
not force the slider or the fabric.
IF THE SLIDER DOES NOT CLOSE THE
ZIPPER PROPERLY
• With use, the jaws of the zip slider can open
ever so slightly. When this occurs the slider
does not compress the zip teeth or coil
together tightly enough and the zip bursts
open or does not close.
• Undo the zip and with the slider at the end
of the zip lightly crimp the jaws of the slider
together. Try top to bottom axis first and
then side to side axis.
CRIMPING A ZIP-SLIDER
The most common reason why zips burst open
is that the zip slider does not close the coil
tightly enough. Wear and tear may cause the
gap marked A to open up. See Figure 3.
By simply ‘crimping” the slider together at
points B & C with a pair of pliers, this solves the
problem most of the time. Crimping in other
planes is worth a try if B & C does not work. This
is to be done when the zip slider is still attached
to the zip in the open position. See Figure 3.
Zips
Figure 3
A
B
C
