I would suggest holding these things with tweezers whenever cyanoacrylate (super glue) is being used. Also, the baking soda thing can be improved by using graphite, if you don't need the end product to be white. Additionally, the bicarbonate (baking soda) can be colored to match with things like a little mica powder, too - but do a test spot first, on a piece of scrap, to be sure of the color. The glue alters the colors a bit. Edited to add: @ about 3:25 or so, spreading open the zipper mechanism shouldn't be necessary UNLESS the end piece (like is on the bottom of a jacket) is completely unreachable. Often, on a tote bag or the like, the piece is there, but buried a bit at the end, and can be reached by snipping a few threads from the inside. Always check, because doing what is shown weakens the metal. Also, it isn't nearly as simple with a plastic zipper, so you have to hope the end piece is accessible.
Also, make sure you line up the zipper before closing otherwise the zipper will be uneven. I never found repairing a zipper this way to be worth it. I've always just replaced the zipper.
I don't seem to be able to use cyanoacrylate without getting some on my fingers. I once glued my thumb and forefinger together, and the other three fingers to my thumb muscle, while repairing the fletch on an arrow. So yeah, gloves or tweezers!
WHOA! My mind is more than boggled--it's absolutely buggered! Thank you. I've found that you can also make an eycatching zipper pull from a favorite keychain fob or necklace pendant. And I've loosened up many a balky metal zipper with wax--rubbing an old wax candle stub up and down the teeth will make the zipper pull glide along the track.
The inspiring music, complete with a building crescendo, for something as simple as using pliers to squeeze a zipper. Sigh. When Gandalf rode over the hill on the fifth day, that was less gratifying than when the zipper worked correctly. Thank you. I will now smoke a cigarette, roll over into a deep sleep, and awaken to fix my favorite hoodie. Your money is on the nightstand.
I have to admit, I love the use of pencil graphite as a lubricant in this way! I've bought powdered graphite before specifically to lube up a lock, so I've been aware of the lubricating property, but this specific application is sweet.
This is wonderful!! Thank you so much for posting this! I have a zipper on a jacket where the teeth don’t zip together. I’ll have to try this, as I haven’t gotten around to replacing the zipper by taking the old one out and sewing in the new one. This is much easier! 😍
@@smokescreen2146 That only works if there is enough fabric to overlap to create buttonholes, unless you want to add elastic loops to reach the buttons.
Zips come in different colours. To make baking soda / bicarbonate of soda + cyanoacrylate / superglue match the colour, mica powder dye can be added. Additionally, mixing powdered pencil lead (pure graphite works better) with the baking powder gives an even stronger end result.
Pencil or graphite works on dark leather jackets but may stain white cotton garments with white zips. Rubbing the zipper teeth with a white candle stick does the trick. Candle wax won't stain light coloured garments - works well on metal zips too. 👍
Anyone doing the last one bear in mind that zipper metal is a little brittle so you will probably only get a couple of chaces to open one side and close it again. Do it too many times and it will braek open where you're prising it or more likely snap when you're trying to close it back up. By the way, discovering the uses for instant plastic made with baking soda (and/or crushed pencil graphite) and superglue has been very useful in a variety of situations for me.
None of these worked for me but it inspired me to try something different. The zipper on my carhartt jacket wouldn’t lock in and allow it to function. If I managed to get it locked in, it was difficult to remove. Took a metal file to the part that inserts into the zipper pulls and was able to free up the movement. Kept filing until I got smooth results. Had to file in different areas to determine where exactly it was catching. A little trial and error and it’s good to go!
@Warrior Son that spelling isn't Brian's fault, it originated in ancient Greece among kids using proto-twitter, mis‑spelling οικονομοϲ as "οιχονομοϲ".
I've been using the paper clip & keyring idea for zipper-pull replacements for 40+ yrs because of certain difficulties I have holding onto smaller pull tabs. But I wasn't surprised to see some powder & super glue used yet again! LOL!!
Hair elastics also work for extending and replacing pulls. There are these fancy hair elastics which are basically stretchy material instead of round elastic covered in brading, those can be more comfortable on the fingers and there's no metal on them. The idea is to get a thin strong thread, a strong wire or a plastic price tag tie and use that to draw the hair elastic into the holes in the pull or into the fly loop if the pull is missing. And once in, remove the threat, wire or tie and loop the elastic onto itself, one hole entry on the pull will do, but two holes can lock it in better with a nice look to it. Also, if pants fly won't lock up, the loop left on the hair elastic can be put once or more around button to keep fly up, do that before doing up button. This lessens the need to check and struggle with that small zipper pull.
Brilliant tutorial! I was able to use the needle nose pliers to repair an off track zipper pull on my husbands nearly brand new pair of expensive work blue jeans. Thanks so very much
I've used the paper clip trick before, but I also use some heat shrink tubing to close it off. The thread and CA glue looks interesting, but takes more effort than I want to invest. The pencil trick is interesting. I'm assuming it works like graphite powder lubricant for locks.
That's exactly correct. A pencil also works to lube the nut on a guitar to keep the strings from binding. Les Paul 3x3 style headstocks have that issue often with the nut due to the string angle. Works great, and actually lasts a fair while, unless you do a lot of string bending.
A non staining alternative would be to use (candle) wax instead. The standard, cheap off-white, slightly soft and brittle parafin wax that's in tea lights (and really most candles) works just fine. Don't need much, can put the candle back to where it came from right away. Can use real bees' wax, too, if you're feeling fancy; smells better, resists mold, might be more water resistant, too.
Some of these techniques I’ve actually thought of myself. The baking soda and superglue is one die cast model toy cars use all the time the key ring and paperclip I have also used. The music is Sosso by Magnus Ludvigsson. Love that!
Wow! Thank you for making this video! I have a goofy zipper, and I'm going to try your fix! Also, I never thought of using a key ring, to replace a broken tab, and it seems like such an obvious solution! All of my winter boots have broken tabs, so guess I'm off to the hardware store!
The screwdriver technique is a good way to break the slider. Another option is to replace the stop at the top of the garment. More expensive than the tricks shown here but probably less expensive than replacing the garment.
I did figure out I could use a paper clip to replace a broken pull tab, but didn’t think of making it more permanent. This gives me the idea of wrapping it with tape which should give almost as good a result as what was done here with thread and superglue. Or maybe use heat-shrink for even better results.
Hi. Im a nomad and have been stressing over how to fix the zippers on two of my tents. Thanks to this video, I’ll be a-ok! Thank you so much for creating this simple, concise piece. WalkINBeauty ✌️🙏🏾⛺️🐕👀🌈💚🔑🌎👍🏾
1) Baking Soda and Crazy Glue, forms a hard plastic like material when dry. 2) Pencil lead is graphite, also used as a dry lubricant. 3) Spread zipper. Pretty straight forward there, if it can't close the zipper right it will split. 4-5) Broken Tongue, anything hooked onto that part will work, fancy it up how you like. 6) Split Zipper, getting the zipper back in the right spot and making sure you don't split the metal bit is important here, I have broken a couple doing that myself.
Okay some good ideas. Pencil lead is difficult to remove from fabric, maybe a wax or wipe on vinyl repair or just plain WD-40 wiped on. Zip teeth have to be aligned or the a zip will be wavy or just plain a pain. Please be sure of what zip teeth are made of before attempting.
Nice job I knew all but the first one and the one with the paper clip and string i did either or never thought about adding string to the paper clip with glue like that is much better thank you : ) have a nice day !!
Suffered all these zipper maladies. This video is gold. Saved!!
I would suggest holding these things with tweezers whenever cyanoacrylate (super glue) is being used. Also, the baking soda thing can be improved by using graphite, if you don't need the end product to be white. Additionally, the bicarbonate (baking soda) can be colored to match with things like a little mica powder, too - but do a test spot first, on a piece of scrap, to be sure of the color. The glue alters the colors a bit.
Edited to add: @ about 3:25 or so, spreading open the zipper mechanism shouldn't be necessary UNLESS the end piece (like is on the bottom of a jacket) is completely unreachable. Often, on a tote bag or the like, the piece is there, but buried a bit at the end, and can be reached by snipping a few threads from the inside.
Always check, because doing what is shown weakens the metal. Also, it isn't nearly as simple with a plastic zipper, so you have to hope the end piece is accessible.
Also, make sure you line up the zipper before closing otherwise the zipper will be uneven. I never found repairing a zipper this way to be worth it. I've always just replaced the zipper.
I don't seem to be able to use cyanoacrylate without getting some on my fingers. I once glued my thumb and forefinger together, and the other three fingers to my thumb muscle, while repairing the fletch on an arrow. So yeah, gloves or tweezers!
@@engineeredlifeform Yeah, been there lol. Just dissolve it with some acetone to save tearing your skin off lol 👍👍
Yeah, I just use graphite powder. Works a treat on tent zippers.
Thank you for these great additional insights.
WHOA! My mind is more than boggled--it's absolutely buggered! Thank you. I've found that you can also make an eycatching zipper pull from a favorite keychain fob or necklace pendant. And I've loosened up many a balky metal zipper with wax--rubbing an old wax candle stub up and down the teeth will make the zipper pull glide along the track.
Yesss! I've used the candle rub many times to lube a sticky zipper!
The inspiring music, complete with a building crescendo, for something as simple as using pliers to squeeze a zipper. Sigh. When Gandalf rode over the hill on the fifth day, that was less gratifying than when the zipper worked correctly. Thank you. I will now smoke a cigarette, roll over into a deep sleep, and awaken to fix my favorite hoodie. Your money is on the nightstand.
Excellent, excellent, excellent video! These hacks are super helpful!!
Thank you for showing how to fix the most common zipper problems!!!
YAY for you for these brilliant solutions!! The baking soda mixed with the super glue - who knew it would be hard as a rock?! Absolutely great info.
This was brilliant. Wish I had been taught this at school in the 80's! Thank you so much for sharing x
You don't use zippers anymore?
@@NeuroPulse old guys use velcro
@@ARCSTREAMS You'll get there before ya know it..
@@onazram1 already there sunny
I have to admit, I love the use of pencil graphite as a lubricant in this way! I've bought powdered graphite before specifically to lube up a lock, so I've been aware of the lubricating property, but this specific application is sweet.
Thank you, Inventor 101 for posting this value and money saving Video (from tossing broken zipper items of clothing away.)
Fixing zips is nothing short of magic to me 💕👌
This is wonderful!! Thank you so much for posting this! I have a zipper on a jacket where the teeth don’t zip together. I’ll have to try this, as I haven’t gotten around to replacing the zipper by taking the old one out and sewing in the new one. This is much easier! 😍
Much less expensive than replacing the zipper, as well
I just tried this a favorite hoodie. Worked like a charm! So glad I didn't toss it!
Take zipper out. Sew in buttons.
@@smokescreen2146 That only works if there is enough fabric to overlap to create buttonholes, unless you want to add elastic loops to reach the buttons.
@@ginnylee9928 What are you even doing wearing a super tight zipper garment. Do you know how dangerous that is to your skin if a zipper gets caught?
Exceptionally useful tips. Thank you.😊
Zips come in different colours. To make baking soda / bicarbonate of soda + cyanoacrylate / superglue match the colour, mica powder dye can be added. Additionally, mixing powdered pencil lead (pure graphite works better) with the baking powder gives an even stronger end result.
Or, if memory serves, you can color the baking soda with food coloring, first, and once it dries, mash it back to a powder and it works the same.
Pencil or graphite works on dark leather jackets but may stain white cotton garments with white zips. Rubbing the zipper teeth with a white candle stick does the trick. Candle wax won't stain light coloured garments - works well on metal zips too. 👍
@@grandpabrogan me too! I prefer a candle. Even a tea candle can be used.
Or a block of bee’s wax.
Wow! Amazing tips!!!
Thanks for sharing your knowledge with the rest us
You showed all categories and possibilities......you are a real genius 👍
Except for fixing the teeth.
Great video. Very helpful. Wish I had seen it 25 years ago.
"Your videos are always so informative. Thank you!"
Anyone doing the last one bear in mind that zipper metal is a little brittle so you will probably only get a couple of chaces to open one side and close it again. Do it too many times and it will braek open where you're prising it or more likely snap when you're trying to close it back up. By the way, discovering the uses for instant plastic made with baking soda (and/or crushed pencil graphite) and superglue has been very useful in a variety of situations for me.
I loved all your ideas, especially the baking powder and the paper clipped. Thank you so much for sharing.
None of these worked for me but it inspired me to try something different. The zipper on my carhartt jacket wouldn’t lock in and allow it to function. If I managed to get it locked in, it was difficult to remove.
Took a metal file to the part that inserts into the zipper pulls and was able to free up the movement. Kept filing until I got smooth results. Had to file in different areas to determine where exactly it was catching. A little trial and error and it’s good to go!
Excellent ideas 💡 👌 👏 👍
Thank you very much, with your help, just fixed the long nylon zip on my old parka jacket, works well, so pleased.
Nice 👍
well they didn't teach me this in home ech back in the 90's
There was no TH-cam back then bud; just grandmas advice
"Echonomics"...?🤔😒
@Warrior Son that spelling isn't Brian's fault, it originated in ancient Greece among kids using proto-twitter, mis‑spelling οικονομοϲ as "οιχονομοϲ".
In schools Home economics lessons have been replaced with ‘So you’re ALL Trans now’
Finally a useful video! Thanks!
That was an AMAZING vidoe!!!
You just solved every zipper problem I've ever had or will have !!!!!!!!!!! thank you !
Wow. This is a truly useful video in this time of economic challenges. At least we won't have to buy new clothes because of a faulty zipper!
Awesome!!!
Great vid. Used some of these. Have used ivory soap or a wax candle as a zipper lube
Now I can fix my Members Only jacket! Thank you!
You read my mind bro, thanks! 👍🏼
Thank you! you fixed my zipper within seconds!!
Thankyou for sharing, your a legend. Cheers from Australia
I've been using the paper clip & keyring idea for zipper-pull replacements for 40+ yrs because of certain difficulties I have holding onto smaller pull tabs. But I wasn't surprised to see some powder & super glue used yet again! LOL!!
Hair elastics also work for extending and replacing pulls. There are these fancy hair elastics which are basically stretchy material instead of round elastic covered in brading, those can be more comfortable on the fingers and there's no metal on them. The idea is to get a thin strong thread, a strong wire or a plastic price tag tie and use that to draw the hair elastic into the holes in the pull or into the fly loop if the pull is missing. And once in, remove the threat, wire or tie and loop the elastic onto itself, one hole entry on the pull will do, but two holes can lock it in better with a nice look to it. Also, if pants fly won't lock up, the loop left on the hair elastic can be put once or more around button to keep fly up, do that before doing up button. This lessens the need to check and struggle with that small zipper pull.
Nice work. Great soundtrack
Replacing the pulls I’ve done before but, all the other repairs I can use right now. Thank you.
Thank you for the unzipped zipper fix!! That is valuable!
Been looking for a solution to that first one for a long time!!! Finally
THANKS Inventor 101. I had been going to throw my jacket away as it wouldn't stay zipped up. One minute with some pliers and it's sorted!
I had the problem with my zipper shown at 2:12 for the longest time. That fixed it the first time, amazing.
Once that music starts you know he's on it👍👍👍!
Thank you for sharing..Awesome video..
thank you for teach me new lesson... totally useful... 😍😍😍
Brilliant tutorial! I was able to use the needle nose pliers to repair an off track zipper pull on my husbands nearly brand new pair of expensive work blue jeans. Thanks so very much
The baking soda superglue trick is also used to repair guitar nuts.
So is the graphite lube. Helps whammy bars.
great video, thank you
Thanks for your tutorial. .
I've used the paper clip trick before, but I also use some heat shrink tubing to close it off. The thread and CA glue looks interesting, but takes more effort than I want to invest.
The pencil trick is interesting. I'm assuming it works like graphite powder lubricant for locks.
I would presume you need to do it again after washing.
That's exactly correct. A pencil also works to lube the nut on a guitar to keep the strings from binding. Les Paul 3x3 style headstocks have that issue often with the nut due to the string angle. Works great, and actually lasts a fair while, unless you do a lot of string bending.
You are quite right rhe pencil is for graphite. Use a soft pencil, 2b or softer.
A non staining alternative would be to use (candle) wax instead. The standard, cheap off-white, slightly soft and brittle parafin wax that's in tea lights (and really most candles) works just fine. Don't need much, can put the candle back to where it came from right away.
Can use real bees' wax, too, if you're feeling fancy; smells better, resists mold, might be more water resistant, too.
I'm getting out my old coat, this has to be the best thing I have thus seen on the net. Cheers.
Really really excellent and I can't thank you enough. I needed this! THANK YOU thank you
Thanks for the video. I'm now going to try it .
Some of these techniques I’ve actually thought of myself. The baking soda and superglue is one die cast model toy cars use all the time the key ring and paperclip I have also used. The music is Sosso by Magnus Ludvigsson. Love that!
Brilliant,Thank you!!
Excellent tips. Thank you.
Great job! I do my own sculpted acrylic nails, so many repairs I just use that. But this was very good! I's never seen the baking soda trick before 😎
Weird seeing DIY videos that are actually pretty useful.
Ótima ideia irmão 🤜🤛
Great tips - instead of a paperclip try small cable/zip ties. Work a treat.
Brilliant! Thanks for the tips.
Great! I just saved my winter sleeping bag! 1 minute with a pair of pliers.
for once a good a useful video . brilliant
Wow! Thank you for making this video! I have a goofy zipper, and I'm going to try your fix! Also, I never thought of using a key ring, to replace a broken tab, and it seems like such an obvious solution! All of my winter boots have broken tabs, so guess I'm off to the hardware store!
Thank you. That was very helpful.
GENIUS - - - VIDEO IS NOW GLUED TO MY PLAYLIST FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
Another reason I love TH-cam.
The screwdriver technique is a good way to break the slider. Another option is to replace the stop at the top of the garment. More expensive than the tricks shown here but probably less expensive than replacing the garment.
Thank you so much for this video! It has helped me tremendously! 🤗
Now i know, thanks for this very useful video!
Just repaired my zipper you are amazing guys. New subscriber here...
I did figure out I could use a paper clip to replace a broken pull tab, but didn’t think of making it more permanent. This gives me the idea of wrapping it with tape which should give almost as good a result as what was done here with thread and superglue. Or maybe use heat-shrink for even better results.
Muchas gracias!
Great horror show music!
Very good ideas too.
Good vidéo 👍 MacGyver 😁😋 tanks
I’m the case at 1:50
It works perfectly! Thanks!
Hi. Im a nomad and have been stressing over how to fix the zippers on two of my tents. Thanks to this video, I’ll be a-ok! Thank you so much for creating this simple, concise piece. WalkINBeauty ✌️🙏🏾⛺️🐕👀🌈💚🔑🌎👍🏾
Thanks for this interesting and informative video~!
Thank You , a Fix that actually worked
Great tips! I have a coat with a bum zipper that is about to get a rehab
Excellent!
Very helpful, thank you!
Masterpiece! Thank you!
very good fix
Love it. Thank you
1) Baking Soda and Crazy Glue, forms a hard plastic like material when dry.
2) Pencil lead is graphite, also used as a dry lubricant.
3) Spread zipper. Pretty straight forward there, if it can't close the zipper right it will split.
4-5) Broken Tongue, anything hooked onto that part will work, fancy it up how you like.
6) Split Zipper, getting the zipper back in the right spot and making sure you don't split the metal bit is important here, I have broken a couple doing that myself.
Wonderful and Thanks for your support.
Friend, you are number 1️⃣
Okay some good ideas. Pencil lead is difficult to remove from fabric, maybe a wax or wipe on vinyl repair or just plain WD-40 wiped on. Zip teeth have to be aligned or the a zip will be wavy or just plain a pain. Please be sure of what zip teeth are made of before attempting.
Finally, a useful DIY video on y.t.
Fantastic...presentation, thank you. What type or brand of glue are you using that runs so freely. Thankyou
Awesome video & nice relax soundtrack😌😌😌
Nice job I knew all but the first one and the one with the paper clip and string i did either or never thought about adding string to the paper clip with glue like that is much better thank you : ) have a nice day !!
Super ! got a couple old favorite wearables that aged out with zipper problems- darn, sure wish I knew about this ages ago, thx
Thank you! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
Cool! Now I can fix my backpack!
An inspiration for sure
What music is this? It’s so beautiful. Video too.
Great ideas!
Brilliant!
Jolly good ideas