Jeans are undoubtedly a very comfortable wardrobe item. Unpretentious, wear-resistant, durable and withstands frequent washing. The picture is rosy, but this barrel has its own spoonful of honey. In the case of jeans, the “spoon” is the fly. If the zipper fails, it cannot be easily replaced. The process is very labor-intensive and requires the ability to work with a sewing machine. If you do not have such experience, then try to solve the problem with the fastener using one of the methods presented below.
Ways to make a jeans zipper tighter
Most of the proposed solutions are temporary, that is, the methods presented do not solve the root cause, but simply allow you to delay replacing the fastener, postponing it to a more convenient time. This moment will come sooner if you do not properly care for your zipper . For example, you won’t periodically lubricate it. A tight move, as paradoxical as it may sound, often leads to expansion of the pawl flaps. The runner, constantly encountering an obstacle in its path, becomes loose and wears out much faster than normal.
The lock keeps coming undone
If the zipper on your jeans does not stay in place and regularly comes undone, creating inconvenience, then you can fix it as follows:
- Attach a round metal ring to the end of the slider (it is better to use wire or a ring from a keychain). The diameter of the ring should be suitable so that it can be put on the button that is located at the top of the jeans.
- Fasten the zipper by putting the ring on the button.
On a note! It is not necessary to use a metal holder, because it can be replaced with a thick thread, making a loop out of it. The main thing in this case is that the color of the coating matches the tone of the denim.
Prevention
To avoid problems with zippers on shoes in the future, you must use the following recommendations:
- Clean the fastener links periodically. Treatment with wax or paraffin is required.
- Use an old toothbrush to periodically clean the lock.
- To prevent the lock from coming apart, it is secured with a thick thread.
To prevent the fastener from coming apart, you should carefully choose your shoes. It's best to try on a pair before purchasing. It is important that it is comfortable and fits properly.
Video
Surely many of you have had a zipper break. The zipper is a popular fastener, especially the detachable zipper, which is convenient, but unfortunately, sometimes it breaks. And it is the part that breaks that is located below and that is inserted into the mating part, where it is fixed. What to do if you don’t want to change the lock, yes, sometimes it’s not so easy (it can be sewn very awkwardly), but you want to wear a jacket with a zipper. This happens especially often with children's jackets and sweaters. The children pull the zipper, they are in a hurry, and they tear the mechanism. In order not to throw away almost new children's clothes, parents simply sew up the bottom part of the lock and have to put the jacket on first over the head, like a sweater, and only then zip it up. But this is not only inconvenient, but also not very beautiful... You can’t send a child to school in such a jacket, especially when he is already a teenager.
So, you don't want to sew up the lock at the base and are unwilling (or unable) to replace it. Well... Then let's fix it.
First, we need a piece of iron from which we will make the part we need. We also need superglue and a paper clip. Superglue is one that hardens very quickly and becomes “like glass,” very hard (based on cyacrolate, sold in small tubes of 1-2 grams).
So, we remove all excess, after soaking the fabric with superglue. It will set quickly and add rigidity. Carefully cut with pliers. (photo 1).
Now comes the main part. We cut it to size from a piece of stainless steel or tinned tin (you can take it from a condensed milk can) and roll it up as shown in photo 2.
It should fit well into the part of the lock that moves and be well fixed in the part that is located below (photo 3). Next we manage to fasten the lock (photo 4). This can be done by hand connecting each clove in sequence. Surely, everyone did this when they were trying to understand how this thing works or when the lightning “spread” in the middle.
After this, we place our piece of iron on the inside of the lock and place it on superglue (photos 5 and 6). We try to unfasten it. If you did everything well, then the lock should come unfastened, although at first, until the piece of hardware gets used, this can be done with some effort. Take your time, because... the glue may not have time to set completely. So, you unfastened the lock. Everything works, but it's not enough.
Now we need to strengthen our structure. We drill 2 small holes and insert a bracket made from a regular paper clip (photo 7, 8,).
That's all now (photo 9, 10).
We finally check the operation of our lightning. For a better look, you can touch up the sizing areas with a permanent marker. For good performance, I recommend rubbing the lock with paraffin or stearin (a regular candle) or just soap.
Some useful tips related to zippers
If the zipper lock is a little tight, rub it with a stearin candle. This advice is especially effective for metal zippers. A soft pencil lead will also help. It is enough to pass it along the zipper several times.
If the zipper often spontaneously diverges in the middle, lightly tap the lock (its edges, and not the bracket to which the tongue is attached) with a small hammer.
Tapping the zipper itself, if it is metal, will also help.
The lock will become tighter, but the zipper will stop moving apart.
If the tab on the zipper comes off, it can be replaced with a regular paper clip.
If the zipper on your trousers tends to undo itself, thread a small key ring through the zipper tab and place it over the button of your trouser waistband. Such a ring can also be made from a paper clip.
Zippers on shoes suffer greatly from dampness, wet and salty snow, and slush. Which dramatically reduces their service life. Rub a piece of unsalted lard over them or use a special hydrophobic lubricant more often. And the lightning will be protected from dampness. Such lubrication will also improve its performance.
So the zipper is stuck and won't go down, and you're trapped by your item because you have to unzip it to get it off.
Take a regular pencil with a graphite tip and rub it over the teeth of the zipper. This should help. If not, you need to increase the glide, such as rubbing the teeth with soap, lip balm or detergent that reduces friction.
Using a Q-tip, apply lubricant to the zipper and teeth. Then pull the fastener down and repeat the lubrication procedure again. Continue until the clasp is completely undone.
The pin is the head of everything!
First, I want to share my favorite and most proven method, which has helped me out more than once. The secret is simple: we only need a pin! I have long been in the habit of carrying a pin in my purse or clipping it to the inside of my jacket. You never know when it will come in handy. I have a regular medium sized pin.
So, you can use a pin in 2 ways:
- Clinging to the dog itself.
- “Connecting” lightning.
Use a pin if the dog is broken
For this method, it is important that the pawl breaks, but does not fall off completely, and that there is a small hole on the tongue. We insert the needle into the hole.
Next, it’s as if we’re hooking a pin onto a button.
The button is pushed into the loop. The pin is completely invisible!
You can also “catch” the pin itself onto the buttonhole.
Use a pin if the zipper comes apart
Making a zipper in this way may not be very convenient if you cannot take off your trousers. Turn the jeans inside out so that the inside of the zipper is facing you.
We fix the pin.
The metal part will “hide” in the lower part under the fabric.
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When fixing a zipper on jeans in this way, it is very important to act carefully and use a strong pin, not a loose one, so that it does not come undone and cause injury when moving.
What about the jacket?
There is no difference between zippers and zippers, so if suddenly something bad happens to your jacket, don’t worry! Feel free to adopt one of the listed methods. Of course, in this situation, not only the aesthetic, but also the practical side of the issue is very important. Therefore, I would still recommend contacting a specialist as soon as possible and having the latch repaired. All of the above methods are good, but it is better to protect yourself and not “joke” with your outerwear. But if, for example, the tongue of a child’s jacket is slightly damaged, and the zipper still works as it should, then a bright pin can be an unusual and original element.
A few conclusions
I tried all the life hacks listed and can highlight the following advantages:
- It's simple. Each of the methods is very simple to implement. No special skills or dexterity are required. No one will know your “secret”.
- It's fast. Repairing a zipper is a matter of minutes!
- It's available. Simple improvised means are used.
I would consider the disadvantages to be not 100% practicality. Understand correctly: even the most sophisticated and interesting option still cannot replace a working zipper and pawl. All of the above methods are an excellent temporary measure! Also a safety pin: if there is even the slightest risk of involuntary opening, abandon this method. Safety is more important. You can fix a broken zipper on jeans, a jacket, a skirt, or trousers. In a word, on any clothes.
Is it possible to rearrange the slider?
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In principle, it is possible, but this applies to things where it is not fundamentally important which way the lock opens (handbags, cosmetic bags, etc.). Repairing the “snake” in this case is extremely simple
Move the runner to the opposite side, and sew the loose ends together to prevent the runner from slipping
Repairing the “snake” in this case is extremely simple. Move the runner to the opposite side and sew the loose ends together to prevent the runner from slipping.
If the “dog” is completely broken, do not waste time fixing it and buy a new one at a sewing store. If you are unable to select the exact product, do the following:
- Unbend the limiter.
- Insert a slider.
- Rub the teeth of the lock with paraffin or stearin candle.
All! You can use the lock.
Loop
You can also fix the latch using a homemade loop. Take a string (I used a ribbon) and thread it through the hole in the dog
Next, we make a turn around the base of the button, tie it with 2 knots, and trim off the excess edges. It turns out to be a loop.
Note! The loop should be the optimal width so that the button can easily fit through it.
You can't see anything under the button! To prevent the knot from constantly untying, it is worth making 2 strong knots, not a bow. Also, elastic bands or laces or elastic material are not suitable for this method. There is a risk of stretching and then the loop will not perform its function.
Ring-ring ring...
This method has been familiar to me since childhood, but for some reason I didn’t use it. But in vain. In order to fix the zipper on the trousers, we need a key ring.
The mechanism is familiar to us: we thread the ring through the hole on the tongue.
The ring is fixed on a button.
You can't see anything under the loop!
This is the easiest and most affordable way! After all, you see, in 90% of cases we carry the keys with us.
Why lightning may diverge and how to fix it
The main task of repair is not only to bring the zipper into working order, but also to prevent the problem from occurring again. To do this, it is necessary to take into account the causes of the breakdown.
Lightning diverges due to:
- loss of the internal part of the “runner”;
- the inability of the “runner” to hold 2 parts of the zipper;
- Low quality;
- physical impact;
- thread or fabric getting stuck in the runner;
- accumulation of dirt between the links;
- broken or deformed teeth.
How to defeat stuck lightning
So the zipper is stuck and won't go down, and you're trapped by your item because you have to unzip it to get it off.
Take a regular pencil with a graphite tip and rub it over the teeth of the zipper. This should help. If not, you need to increase the glide, such as rubbing the teeth with soap, lip balm or detergent that reduces friction.
Using a Q-tip, apply lubricant to the zipper and teeth. Then pull the fastener down and repeat the lubrication procedure again. Continue until the clasp is completely undone.
Teeth do not close or are moving apart
This is one of the most common and annoying problems. First, try repeating the trick with a pencil and soap, maybe this will improve the glide and allow the teeth to close properly.
If this does not help, then something is preventing the slider from working properly. Look to see if there is any thread or fabric stuck in the lock, carefully inspect all the teeth, maybe one of them is bent. In this case, you need to straighten it with pliers, and the zipper will close normally.
What to do if the zipper on your trousers comes apart?
If the trousers are women's and are held in place solely by a zipper, then most likely the problem is not in the zipper itself, but in the clothing that is incorrectly sized . Simply put, the item of clothing is small. Therefore, no matter what fastener you sew in, it will begin to diverge quite quickly. There is only one way to postpone this moment: sew on a button or retaining hooks.
If we are talking about children's school trousers, then pay attention to the degree of fit of the item. You can try sewing loose-fitting trousers with a zipper. This is only worth doing if the child can take off his uniform without having to fasten his pants.
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