Forum Discussion

ol__grouch's avatar
ol__grouch
Explorer
May 09, 2016

Stuck zippers.

No, I'm not talking about my pants. I just bought a decent older pop up that actually has good canvas. most of the cheaper ones I looked at were pretty bad. I don't mind doing some work as I can make it my own and do some things that work better such as some latches like we use at work to hold the top down.

My first challenge is to get the zippers on the canvas working better. I'm going to try and find some paraffin wax to rub on the zippers. I learned this trick back in the 60's with an early style camper that had canvas. If I can't find any (I haven't seen it in years but I haven't been looking.) what is a good ersatz replacement? I may only use this camper a few times per year but at $1000 and in decent shape, I couldn't pass it up.
  • alot of stores still have the paraffin wax . Its usually with the canning supplies or on top shelf above the jello yea thats a weird place i know..
  • You can also try windex. It works well for a lot of things and doesn't contain oils, etc., that can harm the canvas.
  • I sprayed WD40 on a tent trailer zipper that I used to have and it made them work very smoothly.
  • toedtoes wrote:
    Bar soap, lip balm. Heard you can use a graphite pencil (rub it on the teeth) - haven't tried it, but might be worth a shot.



    I had forgotten about pencils. Lip balm is also a good thing to remember. As for bar soap, that's a bit problematic as it's water soluble and the zippers in question are on the outside. Thanks for the reminder. I've got one that is REALLY stuck.
  • Bar soap, lip balm. Heard you can use a graphite pencil (rub it on the teeth) - haven't tried it, but might be worth a shot.