How to Replace a Zipper Slider

If a zipper pull broke off the zipper slider or the zipper slider is broken, it is easy to repair. Shows replacement of jacket zipper slider.

[@Know-How-Now]

As a rule I don't sell anything on my channel. I bought my zipper pull and some other items from Sailrite. My experience with Sailrite has been good, so I will put a link to their zipper parts (I don't know how long it will work). I am also going to put a link below to a video I have on how to deal with faulty products. Paying with a credit card gives you a lot of leverage for bad/faulty products. Have a great day! Sailrite Link - Zipper parts: www.sailrite.com/Notions/Zipper/Sliders-and-Pulls Dealing with faulty products - pay with a credit card! kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5DVYapjq76Nh8U

[@sissonsk]

My wife found a hoody that someone had abandoned in a locker at the Lowes that she was an HR manager at. She gave it to me and I really like the thing. It gets washed a lot and the zipper finally broke. I got slightly depressed because the hoody was perfect for the Gulf Coast climate. After watching your video I noticed that a fleece vest I have at work has zippered pockets that I never zip up. I sacrificed one of the zippers on the vest and put it on the hoody. Life is good now. Your video was a huge help.

[@Know-How-Now]

Hi Kevin, thank you for taking the time to comment. The red fleece in the video is a favorite of mine. I too was bummed when the the zipper broke. I hope you hoody has a long life.

[@misfit7610]

Thank you, very much appreciated for your no nonsense, get to the point video!!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome. Have a great day.

[@tvento]

Good vid. I never thought the zipper could be replaced. All the jackets I've throne away. Argg!

[@Know-How-Now]

Thanks for commenting, Mr. Vento, it's always nice to hear from you.

[@cl2nden1st89]

Tony Vento I’m so glad I’ve found this video. I’ve kept at least two sweaters with broken zippers as I generally don’t like throwing things unless they are absolutely unsalvageable. I also make cleaning rags out of some my old clothes. While I don’t like to accumulate garbage (mostly by not accumulating space hogging purchases in the first place), I also don’t like society’s throw away mentality.

[@Jake-cz1kb]

I have had a leather jacket hanging in the closet for a couple of years with a broken slide. I finally went to a local tailor shop and was told it would be $25 to replace it, thanks to this video, I did it myself for $3

[@podiumguy100]

really ?

[@CaptRennard]

My zipper finally gave up the ghost and I'm going to give this a try! Thank you for the easy to follow video. Can't wait to try it.

[@karlhungus5554]

Thanks so much for the helpful video. The zipper on my Columbia fleece just broke, after 14 years of use. Not a bad run. The zipper pull is still fine, but the arched piece on the back of the slider broke and that caused the zipper pull to fall off. Luckily, I found the zipper pull in the dryer. Thanks to your help, I should be able to repair it.

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, Karl. I bought my zipper replacement pull and parts at Sailrite. Recently, I have a comment with a link to their page with the zipper parts. I've bought a few things from that company and so far they have been a good business to deal with.

[@karlhungus5554]

@@Know-How-Now Thanks to your link, I did find the zipper slider I need. But, of course, it's currently out of stock! But, no big deal. I have a backup fleece and will keep checking the Sailrite site for updates. I watched five videos on the Sailrite site and I now know far more about zippers, sliders, and top stops than I ever wanted to know or even thought was available! Given Sailrite's very reasonable prices, I should have a business doing zipper slider replacements!

[@Know-How-Now]

I think we all now can relate to "Currently Out of Stock" . Best wishes for the repair.

[@luischavez1701]

I got an old jacket my mom got me before she died and I’ve been wanting to fix the slider for a while. Thank you very much.

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome. Sorry that your mom has passed.

[@aideedelgado5703]

Thank you so much. I loved the detail and your explanation. Now I can fix all my belived sweaters I have been storing.

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome.

[@sybilstaples7905]

Thank you for posting this in such great detail! Very helpful 🙏🏻

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, it's my pleasure to help.

[@maxwellschaphorst8574]

Thank you very much, you're a great instructor. Very slow and clear.

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, Maxwell.

[@stevensonline8695]

Thanks for this demonstration. I was able to replace the slider on my jacket, thanks to this video. 👍

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome.

[@mprior108]

Great video on how to fix a zipper slider thats either broken or has come off track. Helped me out heaps

[@Know-How-Now]

Thanks for taking the time to comment, it's always great to hear the video has been helpful.

[@mathiasrausch9935]

Thank you I've been saving 2 off my jackets for years. Now I can fix them. Perfect video !!!

[@Know-How-Now]

Great to hear you kept the jackets. It's my pleasure to help with the repair.

[@killiansirishbeer]

Thank you. Exactly what I was looking for and demonstrating the replacement on an actual broken zipper on clothes.

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome. Best wishes for the repair. If you haven't already found the correct replacement parts, you might check Sailrite.

[@gee355Art]

Thank you! This was EXACTLY what I needed to see! A lot of other videos were trying to show me the whole zipper replacement process but this was just what I needed, thank you! (Loved the extra info about the size of zippers and they usually being a 5!) 👍👍👍

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, it's my pleasure to help. Way to go on the successful repair.

[@SHMH1020]

Oh thank you for writing this I was trying to write exactly what u wrote. She is amazing.

[@daluegbejiogu9464]

i swear this was exactly what i wanted and have been trying to learn for a long time, I didn't even know that zippers had sizes written on them till today.

[@erinntanguay2156]

Thank you for this video - It was exactly the instructions I needed to repair my son's winter jacket.

[@Know-How-Now]

You're welcome!

[@loyolaschool]

Very good video. Extremely useful. Thank you. I repaired my hoodie where the slider had got damaged.

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, it's my pleasure to help.

[@bp311able]

Perfect! Succinct, refreshingly devoid of all the personal yammering in which many vloggers indulge, as if they are Oprah flipping Winfrey. Found this while looking for how to repair a zipper on a handbag. I would’ve assumed I needed to sew in a new zipper. Thanks!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome. I try to keep the videos as short as possible, but still contain all the information you need.

[@princeofpop8]

I lost the zipper slider about a few years ago on my red White House jacket which is my spring/fall jacket, I used a keychain ring as a substitute. Now I shall try it when I found the time to buy a new zipper slider.

[@EllieKedward]

This was super helpful, I didn't know about the sizes! Thank you!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome!

[@Harry_16710]

Outstanding instruction - thanks!👏👏

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, Scott!

[@carolynlaboy4901]

This was perfect. exactly what I needed. Thank You

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, Carolyn.

[@smichalpi]

wow you made it look easy. I am going to try it

[@Know-How-Now]

The most time consuming part is getting the parts.

[@thomasr1051]

your videos are great

[@Know-How-Now]

Thanks for the compliment, Thomas. I do my best to post good quality content.

[@quanpham3245]

Thank you for your work. It helped me.

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, it's my pleasure to help.

[@DenyTheZeitgeist]

That’s not going to work for me and what I need BUT I have a pullover similar to that and even though this doesn’t fix my bag, it saved a lot of my jackets haha. Thank you!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome.

[@marasheakley-early5279]

Thank you!

[@thebronzetoo]

Great video. I have a YKK zipper with a "2" directly over a "5", so I'm not sure what size the zipper is? It's on a Woolrich denim vest.

[@Know-How-Now]

Odds are good that it is a 5, I'd go with that.

[@thebronzetoo]

@@Know-How-Now I think so too. Thanks!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome. Best wishes for the repair. This is where I got mine www.sailrite.com/Notions/Zipper

[@GodlessGardener]

What if the top stop is a plastic tab that looks sewn into the fabric? Any advice?

[@Know-How-Now]

Can you remove it and then sew the stop back in place after the repair? If that is not an option, you could try replacing the sewn in stop with a clamp on type. The challenge might be getting the correct stop.

[@tofu860ify]

Thank you thank you!!!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome!

[@derekjohnson4748]

If it’s a half zip sweater is it not fixable?

[@Know-How-Now]

You might want to check out this link, it may help your situation. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4C8noB_bZiIq5o

[@renemary4109]

I am not finding it so simple to put the new pull on. Just as it had to be tugged off, how do you use that same force to put the new one on?

[@Know-How-Now]

If you are sure you have the correct size replacement slider, you might try putting some soap at the stop area. That might make it slide on easier.

[@sickmansickman]

Thanks!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome!

[@lisavaniderstine6212]

I find they don’t always fit even though they look the same

[@shelleyw9870]

my zipper came off both sides, the zipper pull side, and the metal piece is slides onto on the opposite side. what parts do I need to fix it? I have the pieces.

[@Know-How-Now]

Hi Michelle, I am not clear on your description of the problem. I bought my zipper parts here: www.sailrite.com/Notions/Zipper/Sliders-and-Pulls It took more time to get the correct parts than to repair the zipper. Because I don't know the details about the kind of zipper you have, I can't advise on the correct parts for your repair without having the zipper in my possession.

[@rayday007]

My problem was….I got my pee pee caught in my zipper before mom came home! I didn’t know what to do! I just stood there while mom shook her head!

[@woogaloo]

Perfect - my Columbia jacket's slide broke in the dryer yesterday and I was wanting to replace it. Thank you for the video!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, Matthew!

[@phosphoricacid8654]

Quick to the point, well explained, efficient and good visuals, thank you👍❤️

[@Know-How-Now]

You're welcome!

[@dennissmith224]

I think your zipper repair video was brilliant , thanks you saved my old army jacket .

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, Dennis. It's my pleasure to help a fellow veteran.

[@graciejaffe7083]

Just replaced the zipper on my mom's favorite jacket for Mother's Day, she doesn't know it yet but you've totally made her day! Thanks so much for a wonderful resource!

[@Know-How-Now]

It's my pleasure to help, Gracie. I hope you and your mother enjoyed sharing a special day.

[@caleb461]

Thanks a ton, I went from knowing nothing about zippers to being able to replace a pull tab, slider, and stop in just 3 minutes. You're awesome!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome. It's my pleasure to help keep a piece of clothing in use.

[@kimberly_erin]

I’ve been avoiding installing the new slider because I thought it would be difficult. Thanks a ton!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome Kimberly.

[@adventuresaroundtheworld5031]

You are my hero. I just spent $6 to fix my sons zipper. Instead of $40+ for a new jacket. Thank you so much!!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome! Way to go on saving the jacket and some $$.

[@marilynswainston3978]

That was a great video thank you. I found out I purchased a size 5 fix a zipper and my teeth on my zipper are closer. The zipper pool did not work it was the wrong size. I have 13 teeth where they have 11 1/2. How do I figure out what size pull slide I need?

[@Know-How-Now]

Hi Marilyn, you might want to make an inquiry to someone who sells zippers. I do not have that level of expertise on the types of products available.

[@dotshirley9275]

I read you should get the same brand slide as is the zipper. The size # will be written on the old slide

[@christianroman780]

Wow, so simple I think I'll give it a go at repairing some old fleeces and jackets. Thanks so much.

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, Christian. The hardest part is getting the correct repair parts. I normally don't endorse companies, I got my supplies at Sailrite. Their search engine is not great, but if you poke around a bit you can find what you need. www.sailrite.com/search?keywords=zipper%20pull

[@daven.8209]

And there it is! Thank you for taking the time to explain this repair. I have several bags and cases is good condition that I don’t want to spend the money on to replace (let alone throw away when they are perfectly fine otherwise!).

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, Dave. I'm glad to hear that you will be saving good clothing from the landfill.

[@whiteribbonman1]

Thumbs-UP #687 I gladly am, Tuesday evening 15 October 2019! Thank You, Thank You and Thank YOU! I had no idea this was possible! I have been looking into replacing the entire zipper on various items of clothing and stumbled upon zipper sliders on ebay. I was like “WHAT?!”. Again, Thank You!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome. Thank you for taking the time to subscribe and comment. It's always nice to hear the videos have been helpful. Have a great day.

[@poyo6118]

Is there any way to remove the slider body of a zipper? I'm trying to make some dangly earrings for myself and I'm trying to remove the pull tab for them but I still can't

[@marilynswainston3978]

I purchased a number five zipper slider called Fix - a - zipper I found out it’s the wrong size. My teeth are closer together and have 13 teeth where theirs only fits 11 1/2. How do I determine what size I need? It is for a jacket.

[@OpCharlieBravo]

YKK zippers are supposed to be good, I always hear ppl on KZbin claiming if the item Hass YKK zippers you can expect reliability, but all the zippers that have failed on me were YKK.

[@anjkovo2138]

👍👍 Thanks for the lesson. Very useful for me

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome.

[@hallvardhvidsten2217]

Great, now I know for metal top-stop. But my zipper has molded plastic top-stop, however the bottom-stop looks a bit like it can be removed, maybe if I insert a very small screwdriver

[@bloodyjan999]

Hi I have the same problem Can you even change the zip sliders with different brands (YKK and MG for example)

[@doc9526]

I see a common thread on broken zipper pulls - Columbia jackets and vests. Mine just broke today and at least I know I can fix because the vest is a favorite.

[@sue2016]

Not working for me. Don't want to break the new pull. How much pressure can I use to get it open. Maybe my hands are just too old/weak. Lol

[@deheyyo332]

Thank you this sharing. Hopefully i can fix the broken luggage zipper that i borrowed. You know how it feels when you broke someone else things :’(

[@Know-How-Now]

Best wishes for the repair. I know how you feel, I hate when something borrowed breaks on my watch.

[@TheLaualamp]

Watching this after breaking two slider through my own brute force technique...

[@AFpaleoCon]

Okay ya and how about when both ends are sealed like a backpack?

[@NewcolorStudio]

going to fix my kids jacket zipper! so excited. if i return it to the store, because it's kind of new, I think they might toss it away. yay! thank you!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome!

[@macalcord]

I never knew that's how, I thought I had to pry off the slider.

[@SHMH1020]

I will update my comment after I replace my sipper slider.

[@SoulOnTopJB]

Thanks, I found this useful

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome.

[@HardyDolores-m8n]

Garcia Nancy Gonzalez Shirley Hernandez John

[@johnanimex.1334]

What I really want to know is, what is the size of that slider? thanks.

[@user-oi3fb9jc2c]

It's always the Columba zippers

[@corniss]

I love videos that are so to the point. Thumbs up to this one.

[@Know-How-Now]

Thanks for the compliment. I do my best to respect your time and make quality videos. There are over 200 how to/repair videos, organized by playlist on the Know How Now channel. If you have a few moments click on the channel name and check it out. Have great day.

[@PunjabiKush]

Wow!!!! just know that I LOVE YOU!!!! Two of my favorite jackets won’t be donated today….

[@Know-How-Now]

Great! Enjoy the extended use of your favorite jackets!

[@LouMotley]

Thank you very much, thats just the info i needed. Ordered my replacements, and luckily i already have those tools. 👍

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome. I'm still using the jacket in the video.

[@clothingalterations]

Great sharing 👍👍👍

[@dillwiggle2]

I have a nylon zipper slide that needs to be replaced it says 5C on it. I seen a couple new sliders somewhere that had a 5-H and 5-A on them. Do I have to match the letter on them as well ??? I noticed the 5-A and 5-H were slightly different between those two !

[@Know-How-Now]

I don't know the answer to your question. You might try asking the retailer of the zipper sliders.

[@barbarasharp5440]

the zipper always easy for me it's the top stop I needed to know how on my leather coat.my zipper is complete and in good shape just the top stop needed. Thank You! (:

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome.

[@fam4sta611]

That's it? Wow I thought I might need a tool but luckily pliers are tools I have. Thanks for showing

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, it's my pleasure to help.

[@kelseyglassberg2717]

THANK YOU YOU ARE THE ONLY VIDEO THAT HELPED

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, Kelsey. I do my best to make quality videos that are worth the time spent watching them.

[@johannakanae241]

Hallelujah a video I need, to the point and detailed!🙏🙏

[@Know-How-Now]

Thanks for the compliment. Happy New Year!

[@justpurechaos7078]

how can you do that same thing but with a bag?

[@MaeV808]

Yaay. I replaced my scrub jacket zipper. Thank you!!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome!

[@enmu7448]

Iloveeeedddd thissssss thankyou so muchhhhhh you have no idea how much hero you are!!!🤗🤗

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, Martin! Have a great day.

[@Pricefiddler]

Thank you, now my mom won’t get mad at me since I broke the new jacket zipper she brought me

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome. It's my pleasure to help.

[@shont1988]

My zipper just broke. Your video was the first I found and watched after a google search. Thought I would need to do a lengthy search on this. So glad you made this awesome tutorial. You saved my sweater from going in the goodwill bag!

[@Know-How-Now]

Thanks for the compliment. I do my best to give all of the information needed in the shortest amount of time. Sadly, it often doesn't get the video to the first page of the search list. Best wishes for the repair. I got my zipper pulls at Sailrite.

[@100oldtech]

Exactly what a widower needed, thank you very much.

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome. Condolences for the loss of your spouse.

[@wildbuzzz]

Best instructions ever. Thank you very much!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome! It's my pleasure to help.

[@gokitaiji]

Thanks. Exactly what I needed to learn.

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome.

[@dotshirley9275]

Did you remove the top stop at the bottom of the jacket or the top of the jacket?

[@Know-How-Now]

Remove the stop at the end closest to the collar (top stop).

[@margaretrosesimons1757]

My replacement sipper tab did not come with a top stop. Is it necessary to add one?

[@Know-How-Now]

If the zipper has a top stop, you'll need to replace it with a new stop.

[@keefer88]

thanks! you saved my favorite winter coat!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome! It's my pleasure to help.

[@tomcorn6047]

If the tops stop is plastic is destroying it the only way?

[@Know-How-Now]

I don't know of a way of getting a plastic stop off without destroying it. IMHO, the most difficult part of this repair is hunting down the replacement parts. You would have to use a metal stop to replace the plastic one. I got my zipper parts at Sailrite.

[@swewunna]

Great.😊

[@mick3para]

Great video. Easier than I thought.

[@Know-How-Now]

Thanks for subscribing to Know How Now, welcome aboard.

[@roadtriptovegas]

Thank you for a straightforward tutorial

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome.

[@oluyomiorekoya8576]

Thanks a lot for sharing this crucial info.

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome.

[@robynstewardson]

How do you determine the size/type you need to get?

[@Know-How-Now]

There are some websites that sell zippers/parts, you'll have to do some home work to get the correct one. IMHO, that's the hardest part of this job.

[@jontest5718]

Hell yeah

[@Jodyrides]

Thank you for making a video that is to the point. Too video makers are narcissists that dont get to the point.. I learned more from your video then the last five videos I’ve watched on this subject. I’ve learned enough from your video that I don’t have to keep searching.. Thank you

[@Know-How-Now]

Thank you for watching the video and the compliment. I do my best to keep the videos short, but informative. Social media is designed to keep you there are long as possible. The best videos don't always make it to the top of the search page.

[@jimmymd69]

Great step by step Thank you.

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome.

[@vivianoni9565]

I've had success in repairing sliders errantly detached from zipper tracks *without* my needing to remove a topstop. With zippered bags & accessory items like some eyeglass cases, there is no topstop to remove to allow slider replacement. The sliders I've repaired so far disjoined *one* side of the track. The repair requires some care with pliers, though it's sth anyone can get the hang of.

[@reneegrimsley3210]

What a great and concise tutorial.

[@Know-How-Now]

Thanks for the compliment. I try to keep them short. We are all busy people. Have a great day.

[@Begaya23]

perfect! thank you so much!

[@Know-How-Now]

You're welcome!

[@SHMH1020]

Thank you for the details.

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome.

[@jamesnickel4748]

Thank you for the great little video… Helped me fix my motorcycle jacket in a big hurry! All the best! 😄

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, James. It's my pleasure to help. Happy riding.

[@duguejean4621]

super j'ai reussi a reparer ma fermeture grace a vous

[@Know-How-Now]

Je vous en prie