Stuck zip

[Low Gear Guy]

I have found an old pannier bag at the back of the wardrobe. It could be useable except that the plastic zips are stuck and the pull tabs have broken off.

Any tips on freeing up the zips?

 

[Ajax Bay]

WD40 as a start, left for a while, and repeated. And a handful of patience.

 

[alicat]

Put a small ziptie in the gap where the pull tabs went to give you some pulling power.

 

[classic33]

Put a small ziptie in the gap where the pull tabs went to give you some pulling power.

This, along with wax on a nylon zip.

Is there any obstruction in the teeth of the zip?

 

[rrarider]

I wouldn't recommend WD40 for anything other than a squeaky gate hinge or keeping moisture out of a distributor cap. It dries to leave a sticky gunge. For metal zips with smallish teeth, rubbing a soft pencil along them helps lubricate the runner. If the teeth are small enough, then it might be appropriate for nylon teeth too. If detritus is jamming up the runner, then a squirt of cigarette lighter fuel (naphtha) might help.

 

[MichaelW2]

Inspect the zip teeth for misalignment, missing teeth or a bits of fabric caught up.

 

[alicat]

Wiggle it gently in both directions - it make go better one way than the other.

 

[DRM]

If you can get something in to replace the tag, they may just open up easily, I think something in there locks the zip closed

 

[classic33]

If you can get something in to replace the tag, they may just open up easily, I think something in there locks the zip closed

On some, which the zip tie* will "unlock".

*Mentioned by @alicat

 

[slowmotion]

Silicone oil or grease is pretty kind to plastics.

 

[Julia9054]

Hairspray works too

 

[rrarider]

Hairspray works too

How is that supposed to work, when hairspray (lacquer) is designed to stick hairs together, not lubricate them ?

 

[Stephenite]

On some, which the zip tie* will "unlock".

*Mentioned by @alicat

One could also use a key ring.

 

[Low Gear Guy]

I managed to shift the zip with white spirit and brute force. Just need to get some cots to tie to the zipper and the pannier will be back in action.

 

[rrarider]

I managed to shift the zip with white spirit and brute force. Just need to get some cots to tie to the zipper and the pannier will be back in action.

I'm glad that you freed it. To replace the puller tag, rather than use cotton, try the strands that form the inner of paracord, if you have any. These strands are really strong and I used them to replace the tag on my cycling leggings' ankle cuff.