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Fix frozen zipper stuck from salt spray or corrosion

Quickstart: Zippers are often exposed to corrosive conditions and, with the exception of plastic zippers (which lack the strength for a lot of applications), they are metal and tend to gum up with corrosion products like white rust.

WD-40 ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] is a well-known lubricant and can often help, but actually removing the corrosion products with vinegar ⇦in bulk on eBay or Amazon [affil links] (a mild acid) and a toothbrush is also suggested here. Periodic application of beeswax ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] or other wax can reduce the exposure of the metal and slow the formation of those sticky corrosion products.

Q. Hi. I've got a rollerblade bag from the 90's that worked great for years. One season in our old garage and it no longer works.

It is nylon and doesn't show any damage. It is frozen in place a few inches from the top. I have tried the soap and some vinegar ⇦in bulk on eBay or Amazon [affil links] .

Is it possible it melted in place? Got any other suggestions? I attach a photo:

     

The bag is in good shape for its age and the rollerblades are inside awaiting a ride. Haha

Ella Smith
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
April 30, 2023

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⇩ Related postings, oldest first ⇩

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Q. I am having great difficulty dissolving crystallized salt spray from the inside of the zippers of my boat bimini top. The zip-in side curtains have never been used and, therefore, have six years worth of weathering. The zipper itself is plastic and in fine condition, but the zipper "pull" is metal and "seized" from the salt air/spray.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Richard Garnett
Personal/Boater - Jackson, New Jersey
2004

Q. I have a frozen zipper as well, corroded by sea salt. How does one fix this?

cd

Curt Dommeyer
- Manhattan Beach, California

  WD-40 ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] and heat gun ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] or hair dryer. Worked great THANK YOU! ! !

Ron Brown
- Redondo Beach, California
July 31, 2009

Great results! I read all the above responses, and started experimenting on my husband's dive equipment bag that had every zipper solidly frozen.

I used water, a tooth brush, and all I had was apple cider vinegar ⇦in bulk on eBay or Amazon [affil links] , but I gave it a shot. I first used water to dissolve as much as possible right around the metal zipper pulls on the plastic zipper. I used a pin to take off chunks. I then poured the vinegar around the areas. I just hoped for the best while expecting little while waiting as one response had said--overnight.

My husband approached me when I least expected it, saying that all zippers now opened easily! No WD-40 needed, which he had not wanted due to the oily nature.

The water and vinegar solved the problem amazingly!!! I probably would have cut the bag to get the equipment and bought a new bag had it not been for this site!

Linda Simpson
- Laguna Beach, California
May 30, 2015

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Q. I have aluminium zippers on my Caravan. The pull tab is aluminum and the zipper teeth are plastic and the pull tab has got aluminium oxide build up between the pull tab and the plastic teeth I have tried silicone spray, WD-40, and still the zippers won't budge. Before, when we got the van, they jammed up and I managed to free them as there was not that much aluminium oxide build up on them so after freeing the sippers last time I rubbed candle wax all over the zipper and they worked fine ... but after leaving them for awhile they have corroded up again. This time they will not budge as per everything I done in my description above. We do not live by the sea, we live inland -- boiling hot in summer and freezing cold in winter. Can anybody suggest something on how I can free up the zippers please?

Brian Stocks
- Willow Tree N.S.W. Australia
January 23, 2018

  I found this thread after trying to find a solution to a zipper that was stuck fast from 7 years on a pontoon boat and despite a good spray of WD-40, which didn't make any difference, decided to try vinegar. I soaked the zip in a container of white vinegar for several hours and was delighted when my husband said it had worked. Had to go and see for myself as I didn't believe him...and lo 'n behold it was now working again.

Lyn Bayens
- Mandurah, Western Australia
October 20, 2019

A. CLR, toothbrush , and Singer sewing machine oil worked on mine for a suitcase. The zip pulls had turned green with corrosion and stuck fast. CLR ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] dissolves it instantly but it took a few goes to get the corrosion dissolved inside the zip. I just kept spraying, brushing, then dripping the oil on.

Jo Smith
- Bundaberg. QLD. Australia
December 3, 2019

Success on fixing a frozen zipper. Thank you for your suggestions I have fixed a zip on an outdoor couch cover similar to heavy duty type caravanning awnings. It is a very solid zip but was stuck shut. I followed the advice and soaked the stuck end of the zip overnight in white vinegar ⇦in bulk on eBay or Amazon [affil links] and to my surprise the next day I was able to unzip it. Once the zip was dry of the vinegar I used a lead pencil and transferred as much graphite as I could up the entire length of the zip. Works well. Thanks again.

Jocylyn Noone
- Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
April 15, 2020

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Q. Assalamoalykum.
Titleist backpack Zipper jammed with Oxide corrosion.

I hope that this issue is going to solve my problem. I have a backpack which was stored for couple of years and I suddenly found a need of it. But then as indicated in the query all the zippers were jammed with oxide corrosion. Please help me resolve and restore the backpack.

Regards
Azher

Syed Shazli
- Karachi Pakistan
October 4, 2020

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WOW! The vinegar and toothbrush method really worked to free up the 3 zippers on my portable medical device bag. Thank you!

Georgetta Busler
- Brunswick Ohio
January 12, 2021