How to fix a broken zipper? (dr120)

[phattybudz]

So I love this darkroom except for the fucking zippers. I broke one on like the 2nd day, and I'm pretty sure I wasn't using too much force... this is what it looks like, is there any way to fix this? Obviously I could take it to a professional but that would be a major pain in the ass.

 

[PurplePotion]

Doesn't really look like anything is damaged. I'm sure a small pair of needle nose pliers, patience and care could fix it right up. Did it just kind of pop off of the other side of the zip or what?

 

[phattybudz]

Yup, you think I should just try and kinda jam it back in there?

 

[PurplePotion]

Yeah, but be careful. Don't get impatient and trash it . If you're careful enough, even if it doesn't work, you won't be any worse off than you are now.

 

[clowntown]

Do NOT try to jam it back in there with a pair of pliers or anything else hard for that matter, you'll do nothing but make it worse.

The teeth in these types of zippers are not individual, standalone teeth but instead a continuous piece of plastic wire that's been looped through the nylon it's attached to. If you damage a tooth or two, chances are you'll render the entire zipper useless past that point (depending on which direction it's going).

I think the best thing to attempt to do, if the fly just came off the track, is to guide it back down to the end and place it back on. This might require you to open up some stitches and detach the zipper.

If that proves to be too difficult or messy, also try prying the fly open a little with a pair of needle noise pliers, and clamp it back shut after you get the zipper in place.

 

[PurplePotion]

If that proves to be too difficult or messy, also try prying the fly open a little with a pair of needle noise pliers, and clamp it back shut after you get the zipper in place.

That's what I meant in my first post, sorry for being unclear.

 

[phattybudz]

"If that proves to be too difficult or messy, also try prying the fly open a little with a pair of needle noise pliers, and clamp it back shut after you get the zipper in place."

That sounds safer, thanks guys.