DIY repair of lightning locks

In detail: DIY repair of lightning locks from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.

How annoying it is sometimes when, at the most inopportune moment, a zipper breaks on your favorite clothes. I sewed on the button and forgot, but what to do with the zipper? Of course, run to the nearest atelier!

But if you really want to put on your favorite jeans today, then you can use our advice and fix the ill-fated zipper at home!

We have found an excellent solution on how to quickly and reliably repair a harmful fastener at home.

The first priority is to put the dog back in. To do this, you need to make a very neat and rather deep cut at the bottom of the zipper.

Move the slider to the notch, replace it, and close the zipper.

Take a sturdy needle and thread in the color of the item. It is necessary to sew the notch as shown in the picture.

Voila! Spent only 10 minutes - and you can run on business!

In order not to face such a problem again and to extend the life of the lightning, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the simple rules of its careful use.

  1. Never pull the slider as much as possible!
  2. If you feel some difficulty in fastening metal zippers, you can grease the lock with soap.
  3. Carefully iron things with plastic zippers. After all, an iron can easily melt the teeth and ruin your favorite thing!
  4. You should store things with a zipper very carefully, without kinking the fastener.
  5. If you pinch the slider with your fingers when unfastening, you can wear it out very quickly.

Share this lifesaver with your friends, they will certainly come in handy!

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Zipper has become an integral part of many of our wardrobe items.
Image - DIY repair of lightning locks


Thin and thick, long and short, with metal and plastic teeth.
We use a zipper on clothes of all seasons.

Zipper is a popular fastener, especially a detachable one: it is convenient, but alas, it sometimes breaks.
If a button comes off, then you can simply sew it in place and continue to wear the thing. How to fix a zipper? Of course, the spoiled thing in the atelier can be attributed. If you want to save money, you can try to fix the zipper at home with your own hands.

And today we will talk about the repair of a detachable zipper. And about a fairly common case when the insert tip of the left side of the fastener is “worn out”.

Unfortunately, here it is difficult to repair the zipper with your own hands, and replacing the slider or, as they say, "dogs" will not help, and it is usually recommended to change the zipper completely.

What to do if you don’t want to change the lock, yes, sometimes, it’s not so easy (it can be very inconvenient to sew it on), but you want to wear a jacket with a zipper. I found a very interesting way on the Internet

So, you don’t want to sew up the lock at the base and don’t want (or are not able to) replace it.

To begin with, we need a piece of iron from which we will make the part we need.

We also need superglue and a paper clip. (superglue - 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 unnecessary, after soaking the fabric with superglue. It will grab quickly and stiffen.
Cut carefully with pliers. (photo 1).

Now it's up to the main part.
We cut it to size from a piece of stainless steel or tinned tin (you can take it from a can of condensed milk)
and roll up as shown in photo 2.

It should fit well into the part of the castle that moves and is well fixed in the part that is below (photo 3).

Next, we manage to fasten the lock (photo 4).
This can be done by hand connecting each clove in series.

Surely, everyone did this when they tried to understand how this thing works or when the lightning parted in the middle.

After that, we put our piece of iron on the inside of the castle and put it on superglue (photos 5 and 6).
Trying to unbutton. If you did everything well, then the lock should unfasten, although at first - until the piece of iron is rubbed in, it can be done with some effort. Take your time, because the glue may not have time to set completely.
So, you unbuttoned the lock. Everything works, but this is not enough.

Now we need to strengthen our construction.
We drill 2 small holes and insert a bracket made from an ordinary paper clip (photo 7, 8,).

Image - DIY repair of lightning locks

We finally check the work of our zipper. For a better look, you can touch up the glued areas with a permanent marker. For good work, I recommend rubbing the lock with paraffin or stearin (with an ordinary candle) or just soap.

Image - DIY repair of lightning locksImage - DIY repair of lightning locksImage - DIY repair of lightning locks

* If the lock is taut with the zipper, rub it with a stearic candle.This advice is especially effective for metal zippers.
The lead of a soft pencil will also help. It is enough to swipe them through the lightning several times.

Image - DIY repair of lightning locks

* If the "zipper" often spontaneously diverges in the middle - lightly tap on the lock (its edges, and not on the bracket for which the tongue is attached) with a small hammer.
Tapping the lightning itself, if it is metal, will also help. The lock will begin to move tighter, but the lightning will stop diverging.

* If the tab comes off on the zip lock, you can replace it with a regular paper clip.

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* Zippers on shoes suffer greatly from dampness, wet and salty snow, slush. Which drastically shortens their service life.
Run a piece of unsalted lard over them, or use a special hydrophobic lubricant often. And the zipper will be protected from dampness. This lubricant will also improve its performance.
Source: Ivan Razin,

* What should I do if the zipper on jeans or trousers is self-opening? There is a very simple solution ..

Image - DIY repair of lightning locks

So, you have such a problem as a zipper that diverges or unzips at the fly. Most often, the zipper opens on its own on the trousers after you sit down and stand up. Such a zipper should be repaired so as not to find yourself in an uncomfortable situation.

To do this, you need to take the ring from the keychain.

Image - DIY repair of lightning locks

Put this ring on the slider along with the tongue or on it. After you have closed the zipper, put this ring on the button of the trousers belt, and the zipper will not open on its own.

A great way to "tame" a zipper that comes open all the time is to make a loop of threads that ties to the zipper pull. After that, having fastened the lock, you can put a loop on the button, which will not allow the zipper to disperse.

Image - DIY repair of lightning locks

Or take a piece of lace, pull it through the slider hole and tie it. Put a buttonhole on the button and thus the zipper will no longer open

What to do if the zipper on clothes does not work well
Image - DIY repair of lightning locks

The life of a modern housewife is made easier by household helpers: a washing machine, a dishwasher, a microwave oven and other appliances.

However, not all issues can be resolved with their help. For example, fixing garments requires manual labor.

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The author of the article, Rozaliya Khamitova, publishes advice to a home craftsman on affordable ways to repair a zipper lock with his own hands on clothes, shoes or a bag with a demonstration of them with explanatory pictures and a video.

The zipper is popular for its simplicity and convenience. It is often found on clothing, shoes and bags.

The zipper consists of:

  • two strips of fabric;
  • lock (slider);
  • rings;
  • pendants (dog, keychain, duper);
  • links;
  • limiters;
  • pins;
  • a detachable limiter with a socket;
  • sealing tape.

Image - DIY repair of lightning locks

Two textile belts with attached zipper links and a stopper on each are assembled with a lock in a common engagement with teeth.

If you pull the dog with your fingers, the slider begins to slide along the links of the braid, connects the teeth in turn, fixes them together: the lock closes. The limiter determines the dog's range of motion.

When the suspension lock moves back, the links are disengaged and the zipper is released.

Manufacturers produce three link connection designs:

    A spiral (twisted) fastener is a plastic spiral or spring that is sewn or wound onto the base of the webbing. It is used in the production of lightweight clothing and bedding.

The tractor fastener gets its name from its similarity to a tractor track. She has each Even clove made of plastic and separately fixed on a fabric base. The compound is used in outerwear.

Image - DIY repair of lightning locks

The metal clasp is similar in shape to the tractor clasp. At the heart of her lock is a flat wire.The links are made of metal (nickel or brass) and are attached separately with a clip. The design is characterized by increased durability; it is used for sewing leather goods, boots and outerwear.

Image - DIY repair of lightning locks

The most durable in use are metal zippers. Tractor fasteners are highly wear-resistant, while spiral fasteners have good elasticity.

Locks are made to match each link of the fastener with different ways of its work.

Each type of zipper uses a certain type of lock.

Image - DIY repair of lightning locks

The number of the slider corresponds to the width of the links, measured in mm between the teeth when the zipper is closed. They are marked with a number on the back. The shape of the sole is determined from the seamy part of the lock.

By the way they work, the runners are divided into:

  • an automatic machine, the mechanism of which does not allow the links to diverge regardless of the position of the dog;
  • a semiautomatic device that allows unbuttoning only when the dog is in the raised position. The design includes a special lock;
  • haberdashery: there is no stopper, and the links are not blocked. This allows the zipper to move freely without any fastening.

The most common cause of fastener breakage is wear of the inner cavities of the runner, when the mechanism cannot connect the links, and the zipper diverges.

Image - DIY repair of lightning locks

Dangers exposed to lightning on:

  • shoes, as sand and dirt are clogged in them;
  • jackets and outerwear, when they are fastened with jerks with brute force;
  • as well as all plastic parts subject to sudden temperature changes.

The castle falls into disrepair due to:

  • erasing the surface and increasing the gap between the side walls and links;
  • the formation of microcracks after prolonged operation;
  • mechanical breakdown due to careless handling, when the dog is jerked with great force;
  • the penetration of dust and dirt between the links and the lock, which begins to slow down the sliding of the runner;
  • breakage of the dog, transmitting the force of the hand to the zipper lock.

Image - DIY repair of lightning locks

If the lightning begins to disperse, then you can try to fix the lock yourself.

Image - DIY repair of lightning locks

There are two simple methods:

  1. tighten the increased gap with pliers;
  2. bring the edges together with a hammer.

To do this, close the zipper and tighten the side parts of the slider from the ends on the outer and inner sides of the lock.

Image - DIY repair of lightning locks

The gap between the teeth will move closer together: the lightning will stop diverging. Work must be done carefully so as not to pinch or break the slider.

The space for tightening the sides of the lock is limited. Therefore, it is more convenient to work with a tool with long and narrow jaws - platypuses.

Oleg Ars talks about this method in more detail in his video.

You can fix the defects of the lock by lightly tapping with a small hammer on its edges, avoiding hits on the central part.

Image - DIY repair of lightning locks

Below it is necessary to provide a rigid stop: you can put a flat solid object or plate. In order not to accidentally hit the middle part of the lock, it is recommended to additionally use the upper stop. This method works better with metal zippers.

The same principle is used to repair the runner with a small hand vice.

However, all these methods require great care and accuracy. It is quite easy to exceed the mechanical force and break the lock: it will need to be replaced.

If, after an unsuccessful repair attempt, a breakdown occurs, then you will need to look for a new part that is suitable in size and design, and then replace it with a broken one.

First you need to determine the characteristics and type of faulty slider. Its number is indicated on the reverse side. It can simply be measured with a regular ruler.

Image - DIY repair of lightning locks

The classification of runners is detailed above. However, when visiting a store, it is necessary to have a sample of the broken part, as well as a clear understanding of the type of fastener.

After choosing and buying a lock, they begin to replace it. To get the job done, you need a simple tool:

  • open the zipper to the end;
  • remove the limiter on one side;
  • close the zipper and remove the slider from the side where there are no limiters;
  • insert a new slider;
  • lightly squeeze the removed stopper with pliers and install in its original place;
  • thread the ends of the tape.

Each type of fastener design has its own specificity.

They should use side cutters with a screwdriver to remove the upper stop on the right side and try to replace the slider. Thickening of the webbing can interfere with this work.

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In this situation, the tissue is cut with the tips of the scissors. Through the incision made, the slider is carefully inserted with slight swaying. The place of the cut on the braid is reinforced with two stitches of thread or a limiter is installed on it.

In such a fastener, the slider is usually well inserted through the restraints; it is not necessary to remove them.

If the limiter interferes, then you will have to remove it, and after replacing the lock, install a metal or homemade analogue. All actions are performed with the fastener unbuttoned.

The scheme for replacing the slider with fasteners of this type is no different from the usual method. It is described above.

There are several simple ways to treat surfaces with lubrication:

You can rub the cloves on both sides with a regular paraffin candle or beeswax. The zipper can be closed or divorced.

Image - DIY repair of lightning locks

The paraffin wax will fill the voids between the teeth. The slider will slide more freely.

It is recommended to observe the color color, carefully handle the zipper teeth with a slate. The pencil should be soft; a 3M or 4M mark is best suited for drawing.

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Lubricating the zipper with wax or pencil lead makes it easier to slide, protects against external influences and increases the life of the slider. However, graphite can penetrate and contaminate clothing.

In order for a clasp with a lock to serve as long as possible, it is enough to adhere to simple rules:

  • carefully use the dog, do not expose it to harsh stress;
  • do not bend the zipper during storage;
  • if the metal fastener diverges, then try to adjust the course of its lock with pliers or a hammer;
  • do not allow contact of the fastener made of plastic when ironing the linen with a hot iron;
  • fasten the lock for the period of washing the linen until it touches the stopper;
  • use wax or pencil lead as a preventative lubricant in the early stages of wear on the buckle lock.

To consolidate the material, I recommend watching the video by Vladimir Zverev "Replacing the zipper on a jacket".