5 ms·
I wonder how much of the zipper failures are due to lack of maintenance. I use a tooth brush to clean them after each long trip and lubricate them with a little
by jupp0r 5y ago
I wonder how much of the zipper failures are due to lack of maintenance. I use a tooth brush to clean them after each long trip and lubricate them with a little silicone grease. I bought my Jannu in 2007 and haven't had a problem with any of its zippers, ever. I've only had my Keron for 5 years so I can't attest to its longevity yet :)
- SamBam 5y agoI think very few people know to lubricate their zippers, however. Honestly, it's something I've never heard of.
- jupp0r 5y agoI never knew about it, then I read the maintenance section of the owners manual of those tents ....
- djrogers 5y agoIn my entire life, I’ve never heard of the need to clean and lubricate a zipper. Heck, I’ve got decade old jeans with a zipper than can be washed in harsh detergent, survive an accidental off in a bike, and still open and close. If your zipper needs maintenance every time you use it, you need a different zipper.
- germinalphrase 5y agoIt’s common around water sports. For instance, sea kayaking.
- SAI_Peregrinus 5y agoOr bagpipes. Many pipers these days use a synthetic bag with a zipper, those need maintenance often. Much easier than the maintenance hide bags need though!
- jupp0r 5y agoI do this after the tent has been out in the desert dust for a few weeks. Debris will accumulate in the zipper and will increase friction and grind down the plastic (tent zippers aren't made out of metal like you jeans zippers, for weight reasons). Spending a few hours after a long trip to care for my gear is a great way to ensure it won't fail on the next trip. Especially with tent zippers, you don't want a failure in a storm as that could be unpleasant or even life threatening. Instructions how to do this are in the owners manual in the maintenance section (although they recommend not using any grease, which I ignored).