Are the zippers on your boat cover, tent, outdoor shelter, or porch cover acting up?
All zippers work best and last longest with liquid or wax lubrication applied to the teeth—especially in marine situations: moisture boosts corrosion, which makes zippers stick.
You can find zipper-specific lubrication online, but WD-40 or light machine oil does a good job too. At least once each season, close the zipper all the way, then apply lube to all the teeth.
If parts of the zipper are damaged or missing, look for replacements online (clip-zip.ca and sailrite.com are two sites with a good selection), in sewing notions or in sporting goods stores.
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Many of these sources also stock crimp-on replacements for the top and bottom stops. Stops prevent the slider from running off the teeth at the ends. For a temporary fix, hand sew several stitches across the teeth with heavy thread, or dab on hot glue where the stop used to be. Replacement pull tabs are also available—to match the style of tab you’re missing—but a large paper clip or safety pin works in a pinch.
When a zipper pulls apart unexpectedly, a worn slider is often the cause, not the teeth. Adjustable replacement sliders (I like the ones made by Fixnzip) mesh the teeth together better so a weak zipper stays shut. Look closely to see where a slider has fallen off—sometimes you can reposition and re-crimp a crooked tooth with pliers. If a tooth is missing and it’s near the zipper end, a few stitches or an added metal stop will keep the slider on while allowing the zipper to open most of the way. Replacing the entire zipper is usually the best option, though, if teeth are missing in the middle.
If the stitches alongside the zipper have started to break, a Speedy Stitcher sewing awl makes restitching heavy material more efficient and easier than sewing with a needle and thread.
In the end, you may just need to find a pro who repairs outdoor gear, marine upholstery, or sails—but it’s worth trying your DIY options first.
This article was originally published in the May 2025 issue of Cottage Life.
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