Replacing a zipper runner

1 time succesfully repaired
 Replacing a zipper runner
Simple
30 minutes
3 steps
From € 1 to € 5

If a zipper no longer opens and closes easily, but all the teeth of the zipper are still in order, there is a good chance that the shutter of the zipper is no longer in order. Replacing a zipper is quite a job, so it's worth trying to replace the zipper shutter first. Replacing a zipper shutter is not very difficult and with this step-by-step plan you can do it in no time.

Supply needed

Warning: any repairs done are at your own responsibility.
Removing the zipper stopper
Removing the zipper stopper

First, take a photo of the old zipper, so that you will know exactly how to install the new zipper in the next step.

To replace the broken zipper, you must first remove the top zipper stopper. In the case of a jacket, this is the zipper stopper at the top of the zipper, on the side over which the zipper runs back and forth. The zipper of a jacket has even more stoppers, but you leave them in place during this repair. So you only remove one zipper stopper.

Remove the zipper stopper using needle-nose pliers. Clamp the pliers around the zipper stopper and pull the zipper stopper away from the zipper in an oblique motion. You have to exert a little force for this. There may be remnants of the zipper stopper left behind. If this is the case, remove them with pliers. You can cut away any loose wires or burn them off with a lighter or match. This makes it easier to install the new shutter.

Installing the new zipper runner
Installing the new zipper runner

Je kunt nu de nieuwe ritssluiter aan de rits schuiven. Dat doe je uiteraard aan de kant waar je net de ritsstopper hebt verwijderd. Omdat er geen stopper meer zit kun je de ritssluiter daar weer ‘aanhaken’. Schuif de nieuwe ritssluiter op dezelfde manier over de rits als de oude ritssluiter. Dit vergt wat handigheid en een klein beetje geduld.

You can now slide the new zipper runner onto the zipper. You do this of course on the side where you just removed the zipper stopper. Because there is no longer a stopper, you can 'hook' the zipper there again. Slide the new zipper over the zipper in the same manner as the old zipper. This requires some dexterity and a little bit of patience.

Installing the new zipper stopper
Installing the new zipper stopper

Nu de ritssluiter weer aan de rits zit, is het is het tijd om de nieuwe ritsstopper aan te brengen. Die breng je eerst met je vingers of een pincet aan op de plek van de oude ritsstopper. Daarna knijp je hem dicht met een tangetje.

Als je geen ritsstopper hebt, kun je op de plek van de oude ritsstopper met naald en draad zelf een stopper maken. Rijg je met een naald een dubbele draad (in de kleur van de rits) een paar keer rond de rits op de plek waar de stopper zat. Je ritssluiter loopt er nu ook niet meer af. 

Resultaat

Je rits gaat nu weer goed open en dicht en je hebt jezelf een hoop tijd en geld bespaard omdat je niet de hele rits of zelfs de hele jas hoeft te vervangen! Je geniet zo extra lang van je kleding en hoeft minder vaak wat nieuws te kopen. Dat betekent: minder productie en minder afval. En dat is goed voor buiten!

Now that the zipper runner is back on the zipper, it is time to attach the new zipper stopper. First apply it with your fingers or tweezers to the location of the old zipper stopper. Then pinch it closed with pliers.

If you don't have a zipper stopper, you can make your own stopper in place of the old zipper stopper with a needle and thread. Use a needle to thread a double thread (in the color of the zipper) around the zipper a few times where the stopper was. Your zipper runner will now no longer fall off. 

Result

Your zipper now opens and closes properly again and you have saved yourself a lot of time and money because you do not have to replace the entire zipper or even the entire jacket! This way you can enjoy your clothes for an extra long time and you won't have to buy anything new as often. That means: less production and less waste. And that's good for outdoors!

And done! What a feeling!

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