How to fix a zipper on a bag 🥝 what to do if the fastener is broken

Zipper is the most popular fastener for clothes, shoes, bags and backpacks. But she is also the most vulnerable. It often happens that the bag looks like new, but you won’t wear it if the cloves fly out or the “dog” falls apart. And what to do in such cases? Run to the master and change? Sometimes you can’t do without it. But in many cases, you can deal with the problem yourself. How to fix a zipper on a bag, wallet or briefcase? Let's discuss it.

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Two words about fasteners

In bags and backpacks usually put one-piece zippers. They are:

• Metal. They are more reliable, but not everyone likes the way they look. On an elegant evening bag, such a clasp looks rude. However, metal zippers have their advantages - they break less often, and if problems arise, it can be easier to deal with them.
• Plastic. Such a zipper is good in that it can be precisely matched to the color of the material and sewn so that it is completely invisible without any valve. Unfortunately, plastic fasteners break more often, and it is not always possible to fix them. Thin zippers are especially unreliable, in which a long plastic spring is inserted instead of teeth.

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The main problems with the clasps

Before you fix the lock on your bag, it is very useful to figure out what exactly happened. The most common problems:

• the slider moves freely, but the zipper does not fasten;
• the runner walks tight or does not move at all;
• the slider is stuck in the middle, after it - the lightning has parted;
• the runner jumped off;
• the tongue fell off the runner;
• the cloves fell out;
• the cloves are uneven.

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Bag does not fasten

How to fix the zipper on a backpack or bag, if the tines are all in place, the slider, he is a “dog”, seems to be intact (in any case, nothing has fallen from him), and the compartment is wide open? This means that the slider is weak.

Important! If you carefully consider this part, you will see that it consists of two plates connected to each other by a jumper with narrow sides. The plates are at a certain distance from each other, the sides usually do not touch, but the gap between them is small. If you often use the bag, the jumper is unbent, the gap increases, that's all. Therefore, it is necessary to return the plates to their original position, for which such a simple thing as pliers serves.

To act to fix the zipper on the bag, you need to be very careful, because the material from which the clasps are made is quite fragile:

1. Take the slider to the beginning of the zipper.
2. Put it straight.
3. Gently squeeze the pliers so that the sides are as close to each other as possible.
4. Try the zipper.

If all else fails, this does not mean that you need to push harder. It is best to replace the slider. You can buy a new one at a sewing store, taking the old one with you as a sample.

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Remove the slider

This insidious part sometimes jumps off only on one side of the zipper. This, of course, is not easier - the bag still does not fasten.

Important! Metal and plastic “dogs” jump off with equal success.

You can try to put the item in place. For this we need:

• awl;
• pliers;
• a sheet of white paper.

Important! The awl can be successfully replaced with another sharp object - a thick needle, manicure scissors, even nail clippers. You can do without pliers, if there is a smaller tool with which you can clamp the stops. A sheet is needed so that the limiters are not lost while you mess with the slider.

How to proceed to fix the lock on the bag:

1. Using a sharp object, carefully bend the teeth of the limiter located on the side on which the slider remained.
2. Remove the stop - it is best to pry it with a needle or awl.
3. Remove the “dog”.
4. Remove the second stop.
5. Put the slider, swipe it to the beginning of the zipper and align.
6. Set the limiters - for this, the teeth must be bent again.

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The zipper on the bag has spread - how to fix it?

Five minutes ago, the castle closed normally, the slider reached the middle - and here you are, please, from a place, and even what seems to have closed has dispersed. What to do if lightning diverges?

1. To begin with - carefully, tooth by tooth, take the slider to the beginning: the main thing is not to make sudden movements, otherwise the teeth may fall out, and then there will be even more trouble with the repair.
2. Level the slider.
3. Rub the teeth with rosin or chalk.

Important! Unfortunately, the method is not very reliable, but for some time the bag will still serve you.

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If the runner walks tight

Like any mechanism, lightning needs some care. Of course, you should not lubricate it with machine oil every day - it is generally contraindicated in all situations except leather bags in this situation. On other materials, this substance simply stains. But it is successfully replaced by:

• wax;
• stearin;
• soft lead pencil.

You can take, for example, a candle - any, except for greasy. Wax crayon is also suitable - by the way, you can choose one that suits the color. To fix a zipper on a bag this way:

1. Look if the thread got into the runner - this happens more often with clothes, but it also happens with bags.
2. If there is a thread, very carefully pull it out with a sharp object. It is possible that all problems will end there.
3. If there is no thread, lubricate the “dog” with one of the specified compounds. Wax should fall between the plates.
4. Rub the teeth with the same composition.

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If the tongue falls off

How to repair a zipper on a bag if the tongue breaks off or even falls out? This is the simplest of the problems that the mistress of any bag or backpack may encounter. A part that disappeared in an unknown direction is successfully replaced by something similar - for example, a metal clerical clip:

1. Bend the outer end of the paper clip slightly.
2. Insert it into the hole to which the tongue clings to the fold.
3. Bend again - you can do this even with your fingers, pliers are not needed in this situation.

In principle, a plastic clip can also work, it just breaks easier, and it can be thicker than necessary.

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If the teeth popped out

Over time, the cloves fall out. The lightning, most likely, will have to be changed, but you can still try to fix it. Sometimes it succeeds.

Option 1

If the zipper is plastic, ordinary fishing line can help you out. It is different in thickness, but usually it does not play a role. Missing cloves can simply be “sewn”:

1. Make a knot on the fishing line (you can simply melt the tip).
2. Thread the line into the wide-eye needle.
3. Sew a few stitches “over the edge” where the teeth fell.
4. Trim the tip and melt too, so as not to slip through the fabric.

Important! Care must be taken, because the plastic also melts.

Option 2

With metal lightning, such a number will not work.You will need a second zipper with exactly the same teeth (that is why it is better not to throw out old broken zippers, but to put them in a box - it is not known when they may be needed).

We act like this:

1. Remove the required number of teeth from the spare zipper.
2. Try to put them on the one in the bag - not everyone succeeds, but sometimes it works.
3. Align the tines with a hammer.

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If the teeth stood at random

Sometimes the runner does not want to run, because he is prevented by the teeth, which are bent in different directions. This grief is easy to help. You need:

• awl or tweezers for nails;
• small hammer (can be wooden):
• a board (you can use a small chopping board, the main thing is to keep it clean).

Next is a matter of technology:

1. Align the teeth with tweezers or an awl so that they stand parallel to each other.
2. Put a board under the zipper.
3. Carefully tap the protruding teeth with a hammer until they snap into place - usually two to three light strokes are enough.

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To lightning broke less often

In the end, any fastener breaks, but it can happen very soon if you follow some simple rules:

1. Move the slider exactly parallel to the edges of the zipper.
2. Periodically rub the slider and cogs with wax.
3. Try to keep small debris between the cloves.
4. Periodically inspect the bag (and clothing) for threads that may be knocked out of seams or from sections of fabric.
5. Trim the frayed edges in a timely manner.
6. If the bag is made of cloth, you can stick strips of tape on the slices.

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Stock footage

Very often, lightning starts to junk after washing, and with backpacks - after the next trip. There is no need to wash the bag with powder, it is better to use liquid detergents, and after “hygiene procedures” thoroughly dry and grate all the parts with wax. As for the field backpack, the most important thing is to remove the dried dirt that accumulates between the teeth in time. If the lightning is stuck, or you can’t open the zipper, the suggested tips from this article will always help you.