Replace the Slider on a Plastic Tooth Zipper

Written By: Brittany McCrigler
  • Comments: 21
Replace the Slider on a Plastic Tooth Zipper

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

6

Time Required

5 - 10 minutes

Introduction

When a zipper pull breaks, or the slider simply wears out, you don’t need to replace the entire zipper. Just replace the zipper slider and the stop that keeps it from sliding off. This is a quick repair that can make the difference between a zipper that doesn’t work at all and one that works like it’s brand new. Determine the size of your replacement slider by looking on the bottom of your existing slider.

For replacement parts or further assistance, contact Patagonia Customer Service.

External content

  1. BmJSUa5KtvSgArML
    BmJSUa5KtvSgArML
    dUTDJ63WPFMeRrgu
    jqcA5YD3yNLJUZOF

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

    • Use end nippers to cut the stop off of the zipper.

    • Be careful to only cut the plastic, not the fabric.

  2. DpMXqUkGYFmbZgyG

    • Use tweezers to remove any remaining pieces of the stop from the garment.

  3. HvEsnxOBGqOTaWdZ
    HvEsnxOBGqOTaWdZ
    qWStopjnJN3ZtoIo
    gm1CWmV6tEVL4ZlW

    • Slide the slider off of the garment.

  4. XNKCDVNEYPMGMKdX
    XNKCDVNEYPMGMKdX
    jacAHFi4sWOVeRQE
    ikBhXlnHghikXJOV

    • Insert the new slider onto the zipper.

    • You may need to tug a little to get the slider over the webbing from the old stop.

    • Make sure the zipper slider is oriented right-side up when you slide it back onto the zipper.

    Bonjour, je n’arrive pas à faire descendre le nouveau curseur, seriez vous pourquoi ?

    vcarpentier78 -

  5. WYUBqKMsu5hdUXsN
    WYUBqKMsu5hdUXsN
    kxsGZePuwbPEE6cy
    RmtdGQpgKI2EoafK

    • Grab a replacement stop.

    • Position the new stop over the webbing in the same place where the old stop was located.

  6. bsQ3EkubxODOuPDD
    bsQ3EkubxODOuPDD
    q111CiUVVPTDC15H

    • Use pliers to crimp the stop into place.

Conclusion

For replacement parts or further assistance, contact Patagonia Customer Service.

Author

Brittany McCrigler

Member since: 05/03/12

88098 Reputation

20 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 -