[Basics of Leather] You can also make it at home! Emergency treatment when the zipper becomes stiff

Hello, I am Yamazaki, a leather craftsman. Last time I covered ways to protect leather items from water damage.

This time we will talk about emergency treatment when the zippers of wallets, bags, etc. do not slide smoothly. (The last article is here → "Prevention on rainy days, protect leather from water damage.") Metal accessories are usually used every day and will be covered by the oil on the hands and will not harden easily. However, if they have not been used for a while, Or it may become hard due to accumulation of dirt.

Table of contents

・The zipper became stiff and got stuck! What to do in this situation ・Candles can be used as a lubricant substitute ・When the solution cannot be solved even so ・Emergency treatment method for rusty zipper part ・Latest version! A collection of articles on emergency treatments that can be carried out at home

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1. The zipper becomes hard and stuck! What to do at this time.

When using the wallet, the zipper does not open smoothly. As a result, it becomes quite annoying to use. Basically, the best way is to send the product to a sales store or repair shop for repair , but:
"It's just a little stuck, so I won't need to send it to repair immediately..."
"The wallet is already very old. I only want to repair it if it can be easily improved..."

In this case, try these methods.

2. Use candles as a lubricant alternative

The only materials required are common candles.
First, use a brush to clean the dirt and dust from the zipper.
It is also possible to use a toothbrush at home.

Then lightly apply a thin layer of wax over the entire zipper, allowing it to glide in a gentle motion.
(During this process, please be careful not to wipe hard to avoid wax chips falling off)

Updated October 2023 In order to apply wax to the metal part reliably, please do not be too cautious and apply it carefully.
Then use a toothbrush and other tools to clean away the wax chips that have entered the gaps, which will make the operation easier.

If the zipper is severely stuck, open the zipper and apply the same application to the back.
Spread the smeared part again with your hands to make it adapt better. Steps like this ensure even distribution of the applied wax and make the zipper smoother.

Next make sure the entire zipper fits evenly by opening and closing the zipper multiple times.
Even after turning it on and off about 10 times, there are still some places where it's still stuck,
Please apply wax again and perform the opening and closing movements again.

Since this method uses solid wax, it also works to wait a little longer for it to blend.

These are the steps for the entire operation. Candles are readily available at convenience stores and the like, so this should be a fairly convenient method.

3. When things still can’t be improved despite this.

Generally speaking, using the above method can usually improve the problem, but if the metal is still stuck, another convenient option is to use the KURE 5-56 pen-type product.

Metal lubricant specialty store, known for its spray type. However, the spray type may be difficult to apply to small areas, and there is a risk of smearing the product due to droplets. So if you wish to do it yourself, we recommend using this pen type KURE 5-56 product. This pen-type product is also very effective in removing metal rust, so it is not limited to zippers. It is convenient to have a product like this in hand for various situations.

The method introduced here is not a professional method, but an emergency treatment that can be carried out at home. If you still feel uneasy, it is recommended not to use it forcefully . In this case, please consult a sales store or repair shop for advice.

4. Emergency measures if the zipper is rusty

Updated October 2023

It is best to have tools such as the KURE 5-56 pen type , but if such tools are not available at ordinary times, and not only the metal is stuck, but also the zipper part is rusted, is there an emergency solution? Depending on the situation, the following are methods for removing green rust from metal parts.

Compared to parts with less green rust

Wallets or bags that have not been used for a long time may have rust. You can first use a "cotton swab" or "toothpick" to remove it. Use a cotton swab to wipe the rusted area. You can use a toothpick to scrape the convex and concave areas of the zipper that are difficult to wipe. Use a clean cotton swab or toothpick each time you clean a different area. This will prevent you from spreading the rust you just cleaned to other areas or staining the leather.

If the rust spots spread over a large area or are in poor condition
If the rust spots are large, it may feel like "it's no longer usable...", but there are still some methods you can try.
At home, you can use a combination of vinegar and salt to remove spread of rust.

・If using vinegar, mix vinegar and salt together in a 1:1 ratio.
・Pour the mixture onto a cloth and let it fully absorb onto the rusty area before wiping it off.
If the rust stains are stubborn, it is recommended to use a toothbrush and other delicate tools to clean them.
・To avoid leaving odor, wipe with dilute neutral detergent, and finally wipe with a dry cloth to remove moisture.