How To Fix A Zipper On A Jacket?

A jacket is an everyday clothing item that you wear to the office, shopping, or even on a lazy day at home. This rough and regular use can cause some damage but it most definitely can be fixed at home or by consulting a professional. The hardware of a jacket is as important as its material and fitting. A good leather jacket is nothing without durable and sturdy zippers and studs. So while you’re making a purchase, make sure that the quality of leather and stitching, as well as the rest of the material, is up to the mark.

We understand the panic when you take your favorite precious leather jacket out of the wardrobe, put it on, pull the zipper up, and it stops halfway. Well, here’s the good news! You don't have to worry at all, and should never let the thought of your jacket being useless cross your mind even for a second. There are many solutions for that, depending on the nature of the issue.

Things You Need to Fix A Zipper

You don't always need to take extreme measures in order to fix a zipper such as replacing it. Some issues can be resolved with minimum effort. Such as crimping the zipper slider so it is tighter and grabs the zipper teeth once again. However, if that doesn’t fix it, replacing the zipper is your final resort. Here are some of the tools and accessories you should have handy while replacing it.

• A pair of needle-nose pliers.
• New zipper stopper
• A new zipper slider

Fixing The Zipper

First and foremost, you should try that the original zipper is somehow fixed using the right techniques. What’s important is that you need to make sure that it is the right size as its teeth. If the zipper still functions fine and just the pull tab is missing, a replacement can be found easily in the market. Replacing the slider fixes the vast majority of zipper problems. It is very much doable to restore your zipper by using a pair of needle-nose pliers to crimp your old slider back to its original size. Sometimes, with regular and rough use, the slider tends to lose its shape and size, hence the crimping technique can easily get it working again. Give a few gentle squeezes to each side of the slider, make sure that both sides are even. Remember, don't apply too much pressure while crimping otherwise you can break or jam the old slider.

If your zipper’s teeth are damaged, or you have a different type of problem with your zipper, take it to a professional. It’s better to get help than ruining your jacket.

Replacing The Zipper

Exchange the zipper if the entire pull has come off. For that purpose, use needle-nose pliers to remove the zipper stop that keeps the zipper pull from coming off. Use your end nippers to gently pinch the stopper at the top of the zipper and slide the new pull tab on to replace the zipper stop. While installing the new zipper, make sure that it’s on the same side and in the same orientation as the old slider. You should change the zipper itself too.

How To Replace Pocket Zippers?

One might believe that replacing or fixing the zipper on a leather jacket is a piece of cake but that’s not true. You can somehow manage to fix the front zipper closure but when it comes to the pocket zipper, things might get messy. So we’d highly recommend you take your jacket to the workshop instead of trying your hands on it. If the two sides of the pocket zipper have detached, the jacket needs undoing the stitching, fixing the zipper, and then sewing the jacket from that spot all over again.

Also, when the zipper sliders no longer slide onto the bottom of the zipper, the problem should only be fixed by a professional as it requires a full zipper replacement.

How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Zipper?

Depending on the type and quality of your jacket, the cost of replacing a zipper can vary. A best quality cowhide leather should only have the best quality hardware to match the durability and sturdiness. If you’re good at handy work, you can replace the zipper yourself; however, if you’re new at this, don't risk ruining your jacket. It’s better that you take your jacket to a professional because you wouldn’t want to ruin a $280 leather jacket for the sake of a zipper.

The professional should not charge you more than $50 for replacing a zipper. However, the cost of zippers and other tools might be a bit high.