We have an old Pennine Sterling with a great big old awning and we love it.
The zip on the awning door is driving me NUTS! When the door is open and both zip "heads" are in the fully open position it looks like the zip might be one or two teeth out. When you try to close it with the one zip the teeth sometimes start to engage and then stop gripping or the just don't at all. If you pull the zip head and twist it a little it will sometimes do up (but not most times).
But of you then take the second zip down to meet the first and back the thing zips normally.
Anyone got any ideas (I have tried a wax candle rubbed along the zip and this seemed to make no difference).
Don't use WD40 anywhere near the awning! it will knacker the canvas waterproofing. Try silicon spray from a close distance so it doesn't overspray. or rub with a candle or pencil.
"pull the zip head and twist it a little it will sometimes do up "
Sounds more like that slider has opened (spread) a litle. You can try squeezing it with some needle nose pliers (a little at a time), either side of the puller to close the gap between the two halves. This often does the trick
If the zip is one or two teeth out you can sometimes pull the two "extra" teeth down through the slider thus: Fold down the canvas till it's flopping loose, under no tension. Open the slider up till it's at the mismatched section, get someone strong to hold the two sides of the zipper tape firmly just above the mismatch then you give the side of the tape with the extra teeth a sharp yank straight down from the person's hands. This should bounce the extra teeth through the slider...you might need a couple of goes but don't twist the zip or flare it out while doing it. Once the teeth are through you'll need to close and open the zip again but it should match up then if you've got the teeth fully realigned.
Fabsil is silicone based so makes a great zip lubricant for tent canvases.
We are off to the Isle of Wight this weekend so will try a few suggestions. Thanks folks. That zlideon thing looks like it will sell millions. I've thrown fishing coats out before now because the zip went and the coat was nearing the end of it's life. Might save a few favourite costa from now on. Does anyone have/used/bought one , how much ?
Also, have a check theres no bits of tiny debri left stuck in the bottom bit of the zipper, where the other teeth side joins on
My zipper coat had the same problem and was a few 'teeth out'. It annoyed me for over a week, then I put my glasses on and had a good look and found the zipper stopper end 'blocked.'
I took a pair of long nose pliers to the zip fastener head thingy (technical term for the bit I can't name :) )and it seems to have cured it. Many thanks to you all for the tips.
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Topic: Awning ZIP Ahhh!!
