Easy to close zipper (Plastic) Dry suit

[BlueOcean2015]

It its difficult for me to close my zipper properly in my dry suit - its a front plastic zipper. I thought it should be relative easy but is not.. any suggestions?

 

[victorzamora]

How many dives do you have on it? Plastic ones don't "break in" as much as the metal ones do, but that could be part of it. Also, what are you having trouble with: Reaching the zipper ends or zipping the entire length? I have a hard time zipping and unzipping my drysuit near the "full open" position.

 

[BlueOcean2015]

It is the lower part of the zipper when I have to close it completely, and I have to pull down hard in a few times. When I have to open it again it is also difficult just the first part. The rest goes fine. I smeared it with wax, but has been told that it is not necessary to lubricate a plastic zipper so often - and certainly not every time.

---------- Post added June 8th, 2015 at 08:44 AM ----------

I have about 10 dinves in it..

 

[RJP]

Plastic zippers don't require - nor should you use - the same wax as metal zippers. Perhaps you've gummed it up by waxing it?

TiZip zippers come with some silicone grease that is more of a lubricant than standard zipper wax.

I also find with mine, that it helps if you pull the fabric so the zipper is relatively straight while you're trying to close it.

 

[Phil_C]

My plastic zippered drysuit also came with instructions saying don't use wax, use a silicone lubricant.

However, although I know front entry suits are marketed as do it yourself jobs, but I have still found that it is often hard to get the zipper aligned exactly right to easy zip up and self don. It is alway easier if someone straightens the zip sides together and does it for me as I find I am never quite pulling it exactly in line. Try getting your buddy to help with the zip and see if you still have the same problem before thinking the zip is faulty. - Phil.

 

[BlueOcean2015]

Plastic zippers don't require - nor should you use - the same wax as metal zippers. Perhaps you've gummed it up by waxing it?

I used the Wax which came with the dry suit, so it should be fine to use on that zipper,

 

[RJP]

I used the Wax which came with the dry suit, so it should be fine to use on that zipper,

Are you calling it "wax" or did it actually come with wax?
Is it a TiZip zipper?

 

[rwkosh]

My DUI suit has a Ti-Zip. It came with a "zip stick" that can be used with both metal and plastic zippers. The only difference is that with the Ti-Zip, you only use it on the docking closure, not the entire zipper. I was a bit initially concerned with using this over the standard silicon-based grease, but it works great with no leaks. I'm not sure what's in it, but it certainly looks like the standard zipper wax stick.

 

[underH2Oman]

The manufacture website states TIZIP zippers need to be lubricated on the docking end from time to time. Please use the original TIZIP lubricant or other available zipper lubricants. Carefully apply over the docking end surfaces on front, back and inside where they connect to the zipper chain. Repeat before long term storage leaving the slider closed and whenever the area is dry during use.

On their cleaning and care page TITEX, the home of Tizip waterproof zippers it highlites the removal of all excess lubricant.

I think the zip stick you are using is for metal or plastic zippers so they run smoothly but not for the rubber material that the docking end is made of. If it was me I would clean all the wax from the zipper and use the silicone based lubricant that the manufacturer recommends. After all they should know best.

 

[rwkosh]

DUI does say that the Zip Stick is made to be used on the docking area. From their website: http://www.dui-online.com/drysuit_waterproof_zipper_care/. Since they are the ones who warrant the zipper I have no hesitation using it.