How do I free up a Zipper 'frozen' or salt embedded?

[dmj5393]

Can anyone give me advice on how to free up a metal zipper on plastic on my regulator bag that must have salt. Have a possible buyer for gear & hate to cut the bag...

Thanks, :depressed:

[ScubaSteve]

Soak it in (luke) warm fresh water for a while and that should dissolve the salt particles. Then slowly work the zipper until totally free. At least I think that will help. Worked on my boots.

[mustang_5l]

Wd40??

[Walter]

Warm water. If that doesn't do it, try vinegar. WD40 will gum it up worse.

[muddiver]

Also, if it is a plastic zipper WD-40 will distroy the zipper.

[ibj40]

I use an old toothbrush and warm water, and just gently brush along the zipper and occassionally try to make it work. The bristles from the toothbrush should help to dislodge and agitate the salt crystals, as well as controlling the amount of water you are applying.

[Teamcasa]

Toss it into a tub of hot water today. Work the zipper loose tomorrow.

[ScubaSteve]

Is the Reg in the bag and you cannot get at it as is? I personally woul err on the side of caution and not apply hot water to it if the reg is still in the bag. Can anybody say if hot (versus warm) water can do any damage to a Reg (obviously the two terms are very subjective)?

[Bob3]

Warm water. If that doesn't do it, try vinegar. WD40 will gum it up worse.BINGO! We have a winner. :eyebrow:

[dmj5393]

Thanks everyone. :cool2:
The reg, spare, SPG, compass & computer are in the 'frozen' bag. I tried soaking but it was cold water. I will try warm water, vinegar & tooth brush. If that fails, I'll cut open the bag. Dive shop said they're only $20 to replace.

[herman]

Problem is you have aluminum corrosion inside the zipper slide. A good soaking in a warm water and vinegar solution will do the trick. As soon as you can get it to move just a little, work it back and forth, flushing it out as you go. The vinegar will not hurt the reg, that is what a lot of us clean them in, just be sure to rinse it and the bag well once you get it free. I lube the zippers with silicone grease. Yea I know it will hold grit but IMO that is better than the zippper slide seizing up again.

[dmj5393]

Praise the Lord~! After the warm water, vinegar & tooth brush, our son-in-law was here the next day & he worked with the track (not the zipper) and FREED it up. Now I've washed the bag & it is thoroughly drying. I'll put lubricant on the tracks before closing it. Thank you one & all.

[Jim Ernst]

Warm water. If that doesn't do it, try vinegar. WD40 will gum it up worse.


Yup... I 2nd walters method, And if that doesen't do it , warm water with Baking soda works well!

[peterbj7]

I was in the US recently staying with a diver friend, and he brushed a proprietary liquid on a seized zipper. Next day it was free. But he's gone travelling and I can't ask him what it was. Not everything with a zipper is suitable for soaking, and this liquid worked wonderfully.

Does anyone have any idea what it might have been?