zip dentistry

bogus address wrote:

I have just bought a leather duffle coat from a charity shop. The
reason it was cheap was because of a problem with the zip; the large
tooth at the bottom that first hooks into the closer doodad is half
broken. I can get it to close, but not easily.

I could put in a new zip, but it would be a lot of work stitching
through umpteen layers of leather by hand. I was thinking it ought
to be possible to do a bit of micro-sculpture to build up that first
tooth to the way it was, using either superglue, Araldite (two-tube
epoxy), fibreglass resin or car body filler, shaping the result with
a needle file and carborundum nail file. The fabric is sound enough
to hold it. Anybody done that?

Only to a first order. Super glue by it's inherent nature
will NOT do what you want - it is for thin layer bonding
exclusively. Fiberglass resin is probably the best bet,
followed by the car body filler, but none of these may bond
well to the zipper material, and hence will fall off right away.

Two questions: is the a metal or nylon zip? are you talking
a separating zipper with the guide lead in, or a fixed end
zipper?

If the zipper is a fixed end, get the pull past the bad
tooth and add a new stop just beyond the broken tooth. This
can be thread, or better yet a piece of metal like a heavy
staplegun staple.

If this is a separating zipper, abandon all hope and put in
a new one. You'll have fewer ulcers when you're done.
Check the local shoe repair places for costs to have them do
it if you don't want to wrestle leather - our shops aren't
too outrageous (~$10).

Bonding to a metal zipper is going to be much easier then to
nylon, but even this really requires carefull effort. The
surface must be absolutely clean (degreaser solvents come to
mind). If you're really sure you want to try to fix this,
solder on a metal zipper will probably work the best, and
isn't too dreadful to shape.

Good luck
$.01

bogus address wrote:

the large
tooth at the bottom that first hooks into the closer doodad is half
broken. I can get it to close, but not easily.

I could put in a new zip, but it would be a lot of work stitching
through umpteen layers of leather by hand. I was thinking it ought
to be possible to do a bit of micro-sculpture to build up that first
tooth to the way it was, using either superglue, Araldite (two-tube
epoxy), fibreglass resin or car body filler, shaping the result with
a needle file and carborundum nail file. The fabric is sound enough
to hold it. Anybody done that?

No, but I'd be interested in the results of your attempts to fix it. I
don't think it would last for long, but I'd love to hear that I'm wrong.

--
Kathy
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On 12 Jul 2003 15:32:05 GMT, bogus address wrote:


snip
I could put in a new zip, but it would be a lot of work stitching
through umpteen layers of leather by hand. snip


I'd get a tailor or cobbler to put in a new zip. When the zip went on my
boots, a local cobbler put in a new one, no problem, when I couldn't even
poke a needle through the suede. Cobblers have the specialist punching
equipment needed, but you could also try a dry cleaner that does repairs -
they'd probably send it away, and it won't be cheap, but still cheaper than
a new leather coat.

Trish

Have the cleaners or a shoe repair shop do it!!!


"Trishty" wrote in message
...
On 12 Jul 2003 15:32:05 GMT, bogus address wrote:


snip
I could put in a new zip, but it would be a lot of work stitching
through umpteen layers of leather by hand. snip


I'd get a tailor or cobbler to put in a new zip. When the zip went on my
boots, a local cobbler put in a new one, no problem, when I couldn't even
poke a needle through the suede. Cobblers have the specialist punching
equipment needed, but you could also try a dry cleaner that does repairs -
they'd probably send it away, and it won't be cheap, but still cheaper
than
a new leather coat.

Trish

bogus address scribbled :
I have just bought a leather duffle coat from a charity shop. The
reason it was cheap was because of a problem with the zip; the large
tooth at the bottom that first hooks into the closer doodad is half
broken. I can get it to close, but not easily.

I could put in a new zip, but it would be a lot of work stitching
through umpteen layers of leather by hand. I was thinking it ought
to be possible to do a bit of micro-sculpture to build up that first
tooth to the way it was, using either superglue, Araldite (two-tube
epoxy), fibreglass resin or car body filler, shaping the result with
a needle file and carborundum nail file. The fabric is sound enough
to hold it. Anybody done that?


I think you are nuts. Why not have a leather specialist re-do the zipper for
you?

AFAIK, once the bottom piece breaks off a zipper, it's new zipper time. It's
not repairable.

Penny S