Zippers and Chapstick

[Alyssa Jean]

I had a very small parting of the edging tape on a corner of my canvas camperback start to come apart in the last week. So I called the Canvas Riggers in Oak Harbor, WA and they said to come on over and they would repair it.
I asked them what they would suggest to use on the nylon zippers when they start to get a little sticky from all the salt etc.

Non-flavored chapstick was the answer.

I will be carrying several sticks in the future. Double duty. Zippers that zip smoothly and smooth lips.

[El and Bill]

We've been doing it for years and it works great, David. Thanks for the posting to remind us its time to go them over again.

[rogerbum]

From the title of this thread I was thinking the contents would be FAR more interesting. Good tip none-the-less.

[Phantom]

No reason chap stick won't work well for small areas.

I have always used a similar but more economical solution.

Paraffin wax is available in one pound packages divided into quarter-pound sticks, like butter. Available in most large super markets. Used mostly in home canning.

Not quite as soft as chap stick, but more smear-resistant in warm weather.

I started using it on wet suit zippers back in the 60s. Then on boat canvas fittings. Always worked well.

[Grumpy]

Maybe even cheaper and simpler would be to use the remains of plain white praffin wax candles (Don't go raiding the church !!)

Just my 10c thought for the day. I'll go back to sleep now..

Merv

[DaveS]

[DaveS]

(Can't help it....always thinking "safety").

[Grumpy]

Dave,

Maybe you should include a candle in your "baptismal" services for boats. After all, you are surrounded by plenty of water (and probably a fair amount of alcohol !!)

Merv