threads off drysuit zipper

[stepfen]

Consider a plastic zipper next time. They are very good these days. In my experience they don't have this fraying issue for some reason. Different materials in the zipper interface i guess.

Yeap. That's the solution suggested by the LDS too. The suit (waterproof d7x nylontech) came with metal zipper when I bought it new and this is its' third winter season (about 80 dives so far in total). He estimated it should last another season or maybe two before it starts leaking noticeably and then I will replace it with a plastic one.

 

[crofrog]

Consider a plastic zipper next time. They are very good these days. In my experience they don't have this fraying issue for some reason. Different materials in the zipper interface i guess.

I have both types of suits. Honestly they seem the same to me. The metal ones fail more slowly.

The plastics are easier to take care of is their real advantage to me.

 

[crofrog]

Essentially all the weight that the strap carries (BPW, tank etc), falls on top of the zipper on that particular spot and the friction between the zipper and its' protection layer (eg during topside walks) causes this.

That seems like a stretch. They just happen someplace and then start to get worse in that place in my experience. My whole crew dives bp/w and use to dive with all metal zips and it was just random. Burn the exposed threads and just send it. Replacing zips is just part of the drysuit ownership experience although I’d say 3 years and 80 dives is on the low side for how long a zipper should last with the metal zips you need to stay on top of keeping them lubed

 

[Tracy]

I usually see the wear right where it changes angle when you are zipping and unzipping it yourself. It gets in a bind and wear worse in that spot. I can and often do zip my own suit, but if a capable person is standing beside me, I always ask them to zip it over my shoulder. It really cuts down on wear and zippers are expensive.

 

[Jeff_O]

DUI | Drysuits & Diving Equipment from Diving Unlimited International

Drysuits & Diving Equipment Diving Unlimited International | DUI - leader in drysuits for recreational, military, public safety, technical & commercial diving.

www.divedui.com

I use a soldering iron like DUI recommends.

Thanks for the link.


Has anyone seen fraying the normal fraying happen, but on just one side of the zipper?

One side of my 2 year old DUI CF200 has not had any fraying while the other side has what I know to be normal wear.

I just only cut the longer frays with a sharp scissors, being very careful and use a lighted magnifier to see just where I am cutting.

Other:

I have been doing the same care as my past DUI CF200 suit that after 25 years I needed a replacement suit. Two zippers had been replaced and then a third one done, but unfortunately that one did not get much wear as the material of the whole suit started pin hole leaks every where.

Sort of a waste, but I have the suit for parts if it could be reused. I don't suppose DUI would use it though, possibly since it would maybe be difficult to remove and then reinstall on another suit.

The zip seals I have saved from my old suit as they are the same type.