Plastic Tooth Zipper Slider Replacement

Written By: Brittany McCrigler
  • Comments: 23
Plastic Tooth Zipper Slider Replacement

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

8

Time Required

5 - 10 minutes

Introduction

A zipper slider is responsible for joining the two sides of the zipper and ensuring the teeth secure properly. When a slider is damaged or missing, the zipper will not stay closed and the slider needs to be replaced.

This guide will demonstrate how to replace the slider on a plastic tooth (Vislon®) zipper.

IMPORTANT! Before proceeding:

  1. Ensure that the zipper separates at the top and bottom (e.g. a center front jacket zipper) and the top and bottom are not sewn together (e.g. a pocket zipper)
  2. Identify the type of zipper to obtain the correct replacement part
  3. Ensure that the issue can be fixed with a slider replacement and doesn't require a full zipper line replacement

Read through the entire guide before starting the repair, and gather the necessary tools and materials. While Patagonia-specific materials are ideal, they are not required. Patagonia replacement parts can be obtained by calling or messaging Patagonia Customer Service.

Alternatively, Patagonia products can be taken to a local retail store for repair evaluation or sent in to Patagonia through their mail-in repair service.

Let's get fixing!

WARNING! Small Parts. Patagonia does not recommend conducting these repairs on garments intended for children age 3 or under. Instead, we recommend return of the product for professional repair services.

The 3 Stages of Patagonia Zipper Repair

  1. Identify the zipper type
  2. Diagnose the issue
  3. Repair the zipper

  1. yUJyiIfRtVHyc54T
    yUJyiIfRtVHyc54T
    NdDoQEZdiLUg1A3H
    VsEYoaIimoVSB52c

    • Gather tools and the two pieces required for a plastic tooth slider replacement:

    • A replacement slider that is the right size and style

    • Reference the Zipper Identification guide to confirm the appropriate replacement piece.

    • A top stop

    • There are two types of metal top stops, both of which can be used on plastic tooth zippers (reference image #3).

  2. dhhlRnb3iKUFFcsV
    dhhlRnb3iKUFFcsV
    GN1nuEVlDduFTIqB
    QCRgavV3s1QCOJ1B

    • Unzip the zipper.

    • Locate the top stop at the top of the zipper on the side with the slider.

    • The top stop is a piece of plastic or metal that keeps the slider from coming off the top of the zipper.

  3. JK4QP1FLoIK3ahuY
    JK4QP1FLoIK3ahuY
    ODw3agTArhFi2hJt
    knoUXoQqZlhJZjb6

    • Wear safety glasses to protect from projectile pieces.

    • Use end nippers or flush cutters to remove the top stop.

    • To avoid cutting the zipper tape, position the nippers to cut off only the very edge of the stop.

  4. OtpOMldFBcrQBu2E
    OtpOMldFBcrQBu2E
    GEuupXeWqTUQSTu6
    sRh4GVwEC4AoDRps

    • Peel away the rest of the top stop from the zipper tape.

    • Use a lighter to lightly singe any fraying zipper tape.

  5. HYFuBuEMxyRnxGJ5
    HYFuBuEMxyRnxGJ5
    ZqP4RKh4GYuR3iHN
    EtodwABwNjywOhxo

    • Slide the damaged zipper slider up and off the zipper tape.

    • Discard the zipper slider responsibly.

  6. bHw22M2YXaUxKfnC
    bHw22M2YXaUxKfnC
    gIOMG5GYdhmKXZwJ
    DW6uRmKLytw2CmVp

    • Making sure the new slider is oriented correctly, slide it onto the zipper tape.

    • Patagonia Repair Tech Tip: Maneuver the slider as if parallel parking a car. Start at an angle, back it onto the zipper tape, and then straighten out. This step can take practice, patience, and a little muscle!

    • Once the slider is on the zipper, test zipping up the jacket to make sure it's the right slider type and that the issue is fixed.

  7. vfyeyF4qQXgFNecw
    vfyeyF4qQXgFNecw
    LvOTealfBkbUrQkK
    TXKoSgrvtlyJ5PSA

    • Grab a replacement top stop and position it around the edge of the zipper tape directly above the top teeth, where the old stop was located.

  8. WUAUAmIEgp4IvlOo
    WUAUAmIEgp4IvlOo
    sUYkJlKM4YhjrJRL
    oQqrKtdYhcEHGVYb

    • Use pliers to crimp the top stop into place.

    • Check that the new stop effectively prevents the new slider from coming off the zipper.

Author

Brittany McCrigler

Member since: 05/03/12

89748 Reputation

23 comments

Where do I get the parts needed?

jonaskrat -

Off of another zipper

nerdyrepair -

Amazon has replacement parts, but I found you can get almost any zipper parts from a sailing supply company called sailrite.com.

Scott Lamorte -

Perfect...thank you! I had seen about 10 other videos on how to do this repair but yours was the one that showed me exactly how to do it and it worked perfectly the first time. Much appreciated!

starrdustt57 -

Thank you! This was great - I ordered the knippers and replacement parts for a jacket of mine that I broke, as I know my children will be breaking there's sooner or later. It cost me $10 instead of $40+ to replace a jacket.

Megan Elmore -

Where did you get the replacement end plastic endstop?

Deborah Spaulding -

I can not thank you enough for this tutorial. I had contacted a seamstress and she said it would have to be replaced. Thank heavens I found your site. The zipper pull has been replaced on the zipper and I'm awaiting my order of stops to replace the top stop. Thank you, Thank you!

Mary Axtell -

Where can I buy the things needed to do this please?

Val Neale -

Amazon or sailrite.com

Scott Lamorte -

Hi

The tutorial is fab and I checked out sailrite for zippers which brings me a step further, but how do I determine the right size zipper. There is no numbers or anything on my current broken zipper. I thought about measuring the bottom or the top and going from that measurement? Any feedback appreciated.

thanks Jenny

Jenny -

Where did you get the replacement stop?

edward schmitt -

I lost the original slider …. how will we know what to buy ?

Rishi Rampaul -

I lost the original slider … how will I know what to buy ?

Rishi Rampaul -

Sometimes, if the slider is not broken, but it doen’t connect the two sides any more, you can very, very gently squize the upper and lower side of the slider. Most of the times it will be o.k. again.

Paul A. -

You can check other zippers (if any) on pockets as they’re often the same size. A good quality zipper will have the size stamped on the back. Standard exterior coat zippers are size 5.

Sarah Gerber -

Thanks for keeping this tutorial up! I broke a tooth near the bottom stopper on a zipper and this helped me to fashion a fix!

Jamie Saulsbury -

'''Plastic zipper on a comforter coverlet will not stay zipped… it splits on both sides of the zipper. There’s no # on bottom of slider(made in China I think!) so how do I fix it? It’s a small slider.. nothing actually seems to be wrong with the slider! The plastic zipper just won’t start… it gaps open every time you zip it! In front & in back of the slider!!

Marcia -

How can I fix one with the slider (plastic teeth) when the stop is hidden (Sewn in) And I managed to get both sides feeding into the slider just fine but when I zip it, the zipper behind just pulls apart again. (This is on a Large sectional-sized throw pillow) so… it’s on track on both sides, the slider moves, but the zipper won’t stay zipped. It just pulls agape again. Help please

garnetthudnall -

Thanks so much! Zipper fixed in a few minutes :) I just reused the stopper piece too :) Great presentation with excellent video quality =D Thank you ☺️

Lesley Pain -

To determine what type and size of slider you might need, please check out this guide below. Video: Introduction to Zipper Types and Slider Identification

Once you know which type and size you need contact Patagonia Customer Service ( 1-800-638-6464) for a new Slider and Zipper Stop. Please have your type and size available to provide to the CS Agent.

Tools for the job were listed above in the "Tools" section, if you place your cursor over the link a little window will pop up. If you click on it it will take you to a vendor to purchase any tool that needed.

Good Luck.

Marty Chapman -

If your garments were made better the zippers wouldn't break so often. I've had three SST jackets and various zippers have failed on all three. Now I but Rapala Pro jackets - twice the jacket at half the price.

Garnet Brake -

How do I replace jusy 1 tooth toward the middle?

Silky Jones -

Thank You ! Very Helpful ! Yay!

PL Low -