Plastic zipper lube

What is the best lube for plastic zippers in canvas work?

I use a chapstick. But you may want to look in the "DIY Canvas Tips, Tricks, Recommendation" thread and see if any of the experts have mentioned their thoughts on the subject.

FredB said:

What is the best lube for plastic zippers in canvas work?

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Take your choice!


https://www.google.com/search?q=zip...L4gKHQdRBLwQ_AUICigE&biw=1062&bih=522&dpr=1.5

FredB said:

What is the best lube for plastic zippers in canvas work?

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Grease | Oil | Synthetic Lubricants

I use a purpose made snap/zipper lube called Snapstick. It looks like a large Chapstick. It works really well and the Chapstick like package is extremely convenient.

Ken

Canning wax that you can buy at most grocery stores. Cheap.

A simple stick candle works perfect!

Shop Alexander Taron 4-Pack 4-in White Candle Stick at Lowes.com

FredB said:

What is the best lube for plastic zippers in canvas work?

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Fred
I used many of the methods suggested here over the yrs and bottom line most any of them work well.

I keep a tube of silicone grease aboard and used it for many applications - A dab on a finger applies it fairly well to zips.

"Chapstick" or any lip balm works well - Vaseline for lips (tube w/ small "nozzle") also works well.

I try to avoid specialized / single application product(s) if a generic will work.

The key for me was APPLY SPARINGLY - a little goes a long way - you don't want it to get on the fabric as it will likely leave a stain / discoloration.

Phil Fill said:

Canning wax that you can buy at most grocery stores. Cheap.

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I use bees wax. Cheap in a semi solid block. stores easily.

Bar soap works for during the season, In spring I spray zippers with WD-40 or similar.

Always used wax. Anything with oil or oil w propellant will stain canvas.

Cheapest bees wax is a toilet seal ring for a dirt house toilet.

About $2.00 any hardware store or home cheapo.

FF said:

Cheapest bees wax is a toilet seal ring for a dirt house toilet.

About $2.00 any hardware store or home cheapo.

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Bees wax also works well treating leather boat shoes - keeps the leather soft and water repellent. Apply it sparingly and spread / rub in vigorously - warming in the sun etc helps.

Greetings,
Mr. Oliver. Take note of post #13.

RT, where do you find this hilarious stuff??

I made sure that the boat I purchased after we sold our sailboat does not have any. ?

Boating stores sell products for this. I use the one made by Starbrite.

WesK said:

Boating stores sell products for this. I use the one made by Starbrite.

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Yes, this is true, however, it cost multiple times more than a simple bees wax candle which works extremely well. I've been using candles on zippers for decades with great success. Even the basic paraffin wax candle will do just fine. Just Sayin'

Purpose made products have UV inhibitors built in.


Yes, a candle is probably cheaper than a tube of zipper lube, but the difference is not significant to me. If the zipper lube was $20, it might make a difference.

Ask a Kiwi what they use

WesK said:

Purpose made products have UV inhibitors built in.

Yes, a candle is probably cheaper than a tube of zipper lube, but the difference is not significant to me. If the zipper lube was $20, it might make a difference.

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I couldn't find a UV inhibitor listed as one of the ingredients in the Starbrite zipper lubricant so at $12 bucks for a 2 oz. tube I'll pass. For a buck (or less) per candle I'll stick with them.

STAR BRITE Snap & Zipper Lubricant - 2 oz. tube | West Marine

Any hard wax based product will work, as has been posted already, to keep zippers lubricated and working well.

Here's a related question. What about when the zipper is rigidly stuck. Had some like that when we bought the boat. I used a VERY small amount of WD40 right into the zipper and it worked like a charm. I was concerned of staining, but was able to keep it off the fabric. Was there a better product i could have used?

WD40 is what I would have used also. One thing you might consider the next time you need to apply it on a zipper or snap is to use a syringe as the applicator. If the syringe has a small needle then all the better to control exactly where the oil goes. As a second thought, for an alternative to WD40, I might have used a silicone based lube also using the syringe to apply it.

yea, the bottle had that thin tube that attaches to the nozzle, I got that into the zipper and just barely touched the trigger. Worked well.

Zippers

Most any decent hardware store will have beeswax in a small block. There is also a commercial product, and the name eludes me, that is used on sail slides. Lasts forever and doesn't stain.

Diesel Duck 492 said:

I couldn't find a UV inhibitor listed as one of the ingredients in the Starbrite zipper lubricant so at $12 bucks for a 2 oz. tube I'll pass. For a buck (or less) per candle I'll stick with them.

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Whatever floats your boat! I guess you can also use the candle for light if your batteries fail.