sboardcrazy said..
Got an old prolimit bag with a stuffed zip with the 'new' board.. anyone ever bothered getting a zip replaced? Is it worth it / how much does it cost?

Cheap and easy solution is to use velcro. It will never get locked from salt.

Mr Milk said..

sboardcrazy said..
Got an old prolimit bag with a stuffed zip with the 'new' board.. anyone ever bothered getting a zip replaced? Is it worth it / how much does it cost?

Cheap and easy solution is to use velcro. It will never get locked from salt.

not an easy fix if the bag has thick padding, the zippers are sewn to the outer layer of the bag and then the padding is added, you would need an industrial machine with a very high foot
even if the zippers work it's best if you leave them open , you don't need any trapped moisture
you don't need heavy duty just the normal stuff is ok ,the trouble is finding someone to sew it

Sometimes it's just the slider, get a new slider and fit it yourself. Only takes 2 minutes. Just spray some silicon base spray on before.

^^^ silicone spray won't do a lot if it is jammed up with corrosion. ie: the white aluminium salt is packed into the gaps. You need to dissolve it.
If that is the problem soak it really well in vinegar or CLR repeatedly, interspersed with boiling hot water poured thru it.
Then WD40 and pliers....

Then the silicone spray to protect / prevent re-occurrence.

New zip fitting - choices are endless - swag makers, truck tarpaulin people, camper trailer manufacturers, sail makers, cafe blind places blah blah.
Just get an all plastic zipper!!!

(and how the hell you are getting red thumbs for asking questions has me stuffed)

I have had bags repaired by Barracuda Sails in Sydney. The have the right sowing machines, zippers, runners and patches to get great results.

You could try canvas/camping repair's, they usually have a home base and also travel the camping grounds to on site repairs - I imagine they are all over the place up the central coast/Newcastle area.
They usually service retirees etc living in caravans with annexes etc. so they don't charge a bomb.

Good topic (from a sail makers point of view) :)

I get a lot of those request here (Sail Repair WA). Not only board bags, but anything with zippers. Sadly many times it is cheaper to buy a new product,,

With the zippers there is 3 options, as you can also read from other post above.

1) Replace the slider. Some times this is enough. Around $20. (you can also do this yourself if you are a bit handy. Slider part is quite cheap)

2) Stitch a entire new zipper on the board bag. This is of course a bit more time consuming. As an example I just did one for a long board surf board bag. $85

3) Ditch the bag and buy a new one. New bags start from around $160 (windsurf board bags)

For the board bags you need quite a "specialized" industrial sewing machine to get through the thick layers.

Cheers
Jesper
Sail Repair WA

There's a mob in Nelson Bay (G&S Canvas) who have replaced/repaired zippers on boards bags and quiver bags for me.
Last one cost me $10 to replace the zipper.
I was so stoked with the price and the turn around I dropped him a six pack.
Ask for Wayne.
PM me if you can't find the business details on line and you need a phone number

In the end it depends on the bag. If it's a double board bag that can cost several hundred dollars new. Definitely cheaper to just get a zipper replaced.

The sliders Barracuda Sails uses are all plastic. So no more corrosion. Can't remember but I think the last repair was for 2 bags and was about $60 which included two sliders and a number patched where the bags had been torn. Certainly was cheaper then getting a new bag.

Board bags with zippers what a rip off