Zipper Information
Frequently Asked Questions:
Zipper Facts | Zipper Anatomy | Choosing Zipper Size | Shortening Zippers
Zipper Facts
1. When a zipper seperates behind the slider and there is no obvious damage to the teeth, coils or stitching, you may need to replace just the slider! We have many different sizes, see part section below.
2. Metal zippers actually breakdown faster then plastic zippers, and are colder in winter - but they do not melt!
3. Cleaning your zipper periodically over it's life will increase it's old age! Dirt is a zippers biggest enemy.
4. YKK strongly recommends keeping your zipper free of any oils, waxes or liquids which only increase the dirt atttraction.
5. When you need a zipper in an unusual colour, and you can only find it it a longer length, no problem - just shorten it to the length that you need, using the instructions below.
Zipper Anatomy
Tooth Zipper
The teeth on a tooth zipper are equally visible on both sides of the tape. The teeth themselves look more like the teeth in your mouth. Every tooth is seperate. Tooth zippers are excellent for straight applications like bags, pullovers, jackets, garment bags, etc.
Coil Zipper
A coil zipper is flat on one side with the teeth on the other. The teeth look like a small, long coil sewn onto the zipper tape. Each tooth is connected to the next. Coil zippers bend easier and are ideal for tents, packs, sleeping bags, etc.
Not sure what zippers size you need?
- #5 tooth - all season sportswear
- #5 Coil - light sportswear, cycling shirts & zip-off pants.
- #8 coil - better quality luggage, bags, & tents.
- #10 coil & tooth - heavy duty bags or back packs.
Our zipper lengths range from 7 inches to 110 inches.
How to Shorten a Nylon Tooth Seperating Zipper from the Top
1. Always shorten a zipper form the top.
2. Mark both sides of the zipper tape where you want the zippe slider to stop at for the new length.
3. Pull the slider down so that the teeth are seperated.
4. Remove the zipper top stops using small wire cutters.
5. Remove the nylon teeth by either grabbing the teeth with your wire cutters and twisting, or gently split the teeth with the cutters and pry them off. Remove them to the desired length marks you made.
6. Remove one extra tooth from each side. (Then the final length will be right where the top stops are installed.)
7. Carefully, melt the top ends and edges of the zipper tape to finish any raw edges. Be careful - nylon melts quickly and stay hot for a few moments.
8. Using pliers, clamp the 'U' of a new top stop onto the tape right right next to the last tooth. Squeeze hard - you don't want the slider to pull off!
Zipper Facts
1. When a zipper seperates behind the slider and there is no obvious damage to the teeth, coils or stitching, you may need to replace just the slider! We have many different sizes, see part section below.
2. Metal zippers actually breakdown faster then plastic zippers, and are colder in winter - but they do not melt!
3. Cleaning your zipper periodically over it's life will increase it's old age! Dirt is a zippers biggest enemy.
4. YKK strongly recommends keeping your zipper free of any oils, waxes or liquids which only increase the dirt atttraction.
5. When you need a zipper in an unusual colour, and you can only find it it a longer length, no problem - just shorten it to the length that you need, using the instructions below.
Zipper Anatomy
Tooth Zipper
The teeth on a tooth zipper are equally visible on both sides of the tape. The teeth themselves look more like the teeth in your mouth. Every tooth is seperate. Tooth zippers are excellent for straight applications like bags, pullovers, jackets, garment bags, etc.
Coil Zipper
A coil zipper is flat on one side with the teeth on the other. The teeth look like a small, long coil sewn onto the zipper tape. Each tooth is connected to the next. Coil zippers bend easier and are ideal for tents, packs, sleeping bags, etc.
Not sure what zippers size you need?
- #5 tooth - all season sportswear
- #5 Coil - light sportswear, cycling shirts & zip-off pants.
- #8 coil - better quality luggage, bags, & tents.
- #10 coil & tooth - heavy duty bags or back packs.
Our zipper lengths range from 7 inches to 110 inches.
How to Shorten a Nylon Tooth Seperating Zipper from the Top
1. Always shorten a zipper form the top.
2. Mark both sides of the zipper tape where you want the zippe slider to stop at for the new length.
3. Pull the slider down so that the teeth are seperated.
4. Remove the zipper top stops using small wire cutters.
5. Remove the nylon teeth by either grabbing the teeth with your wire cutters and twisting, or gently split the teeth with the cutters and pry them off. Remove them to the desired length marks you made.
6. Remove one extra tooth from each side. (Then the final length will be right where the top stops are installed.)
7. Carefully, melt the top ends and edges of the zipper tape to finish any raw edges. Be careful - nylon melts quickly and stay hot for a few moments.
8. Using pliers, clamp the 'U' of a new top stop onto the tape right right next to the last tooth. Squeeze hard - you don't want the slider to pull off!
