What to do if a dog with a zipper breaks at the wrong time

It happens that you are in a hurry and suddenly the dog with a zipper broke. What to do in such a situation so as not to be late? The main thing is not to succumb to panic, in a hurry you can finally break the clasp. Better to lose a few minutes, and then calmly go on business.

The main elements of the zipper

Zipper is a type of fastener that allows you to quickly connect the details of clothes or shoes. They consist of two ribbons made of durable fabric, on which metal or plastic links of various configurations are attached, arranged in a checkerboard pattern.

Ribbons are sewn onto clothing details. To connect or disconnect them, there is a special clasp - a lock, which is also called a slider, slider, or simply - “dog”. In order to make it convenient to move the lock, a special tongue is attached to it. Like any mechanism, lightning hatches over time and can break. Most often, a “dog” breaks down, less often - zipper teeth (links).

What to do if the runner’s tongue breaks

Many faced this situation. When zipper closes on boots or a jacket, the tongue comes off and remains in the hands. Usually this happens when something hit the slider and got stuck, or - if the lightning is very tight. If the mount on the dog does not break off, then for a short time the usual clerical clip, pin or piece of a sufficiently strong thin wire will help to get out of the situation. In the future, you can either make a decent tongue from improvised materials (for example, use a small keychain), or replace the dog.

How to replace a dog

If the fastener on a jacket, boots or jacket began to diverge, then you should not immediately change it. First you need to carefully examine the clothes and, if the zippers are all intact, there are no signs of wear, scuffs or chips, then most likely it is enough to replace only the slider. Check it out is not difficult.

It is necessary to slightly squeeze the dog with a pair of pliers, holding it from above and below, and then slightly squeeze the straight part of the runner from the sides (from the zipped side). After the manipulations, the clasp will work fine, but not for long. This method will allow you to button your clothes 2-3 times, and also make sure that the slider is broken.

The easiest way to replace the slider on a jacket, coat or jacket (where the zipper is detachable).

Before you go to the store, you need to decide which "dog" you should buy. The fact is that a slider made for plastic "tractor" lightning will not fit metal or twisted. In addition, depending on the size of the cloves, “dogs” differ in numbers. Typically, the number is printed on the back of the slider.

It is not difficult for a professional to make a choice, so the best option would be to bring along a shot of a “dog” as a sample. It is also advisable to photograph the lightning itself and take a photograph with you.

Together with the new slider, you need to buy two metal stops.

For work, you need side cutters. Pliers and awl can be useful. When everything is ready, you can begin to work:

• First of all, remove the upper stops from the zipper. Metal - bend and remove, plastic - carefully so as not to damage the fabric, bite off with side cutters.
• Carefully put the slider on the cloves. This should be done slowly, without pressure, slightly swaying the slider from side to side.
• Check the operation of the fastener (unfasten and fasten several times), without slightly bringing the “dog” to the top.
• Put on new stops in place of old ones and clamp them with side cutters.

You can continue to use lightning.

In order to replace the “dog” with one-piece zipper, for example, on trousers, you will have to pair the lower part of the zipper, make a replacement, and then sew up the open place.

It is very difficult to replace the slider on boots or other shoes on your own, as you will have to tear off and hem the bottom of the lock, which is sewn between the skin. Doing it manually without special tools and skills is not advisable, as you can ruin things. It is better to contact specialists.

How to avoid breaking lightning for longer

To make the fastener on shoes or outerwear last longer, it is advisable to clean them occasionally from adhering dirt and particles of fabric. An old toothbrush is perfect for these purposes.

Prevents seizing and premature wear of the zipper grease cloves. To do this, several times you can draw a piece of paraffin or wax candle over them. Very good lubrication is regular graphite. It is enough to draw a few pencils on the cloves several times. This work should be done carefully so as not to stain clothes.

You need to wean yourself to pull the tongue if the lightning did not work right away. It is better to lower the engine down, straighten the edges with teeth, remove foreign objects from the fastener and, slowly, fasten again.

Subject to these simple rules, lightning after repair can last a very long time.