Zipper problems on new Rainbow Country

[hungapotamus]

I purchased a new jacket from Japan a month ago the Rainbow Country Highwayman and the zipper is malfunctioning already. I've taken pics to illustrate the problem:

I've lubricated the teeth with Vaseline and clamped down on the zipper head with pliers tooth by tooth as I move the head up the zipper. The separation starts early so I "think" it's because the edge of the zipper insert is set too deep between the leather panels? I'm not sure.

I was going to try DIY installing a new zipper head but will that even work if the zipper insert is set too deep between the leather?

If I go this route will I be able to use a bigger and robust zipper head like a #8 if this zipper is a #5 (I'm guessing the size, not sure).

I've spent a lot on the jacket so I'd like to avoid going to a leather jacket shop to get the work done.

 

[MrProper]

In the second picture, it looks as if the right/rear pin is bent. Try to straighten it out.
I had the same problem with a zip with the same fault pattern. Straightening it helped.

 

[photo2u]

Use a pencil to remove all the baseline. Teeth need friction to stay engage. The pin might not be the problem. How about a short video demonstrating the problems?

 

[hungapotamus]

Well it looks like I made the problem a hell of a lot worse. I tried straightening the right rear pin. The zipper pull was already bent.

 

[photo2u]

Pull or slider are not big deal. I think your male pin in not going down enough in the female box. Plenty of talon #5 sliders/pull in ebay. If you can not find one, I can send for free a 1950s NOS slider/pull. You pay shipping.

 

[hungapotamus]

I couldn't upload the video to this website I keep getting an error. Here it is on another website. I basically broke the zipper pull off of the head trying to pull it up. I think I need to replace the zipper head - I'd like to use a size bigger than #5, will #8 will that work on this jacket?

https://streamable.com/hlcbdn

 

[photo2u]

I couldn't upload the video to this website I keep getting an error. Here it is on another website. I basically broke the zipper pull off of the head trying to pull it up. I think I need to replace the zipper head - I'd like to use a size bigger than #5, will #8 will that work on this jacket?

https://streamable.com/hlcbdn

It looks to me, the male pin in not seating properly. Try just pulling the male section down. That should allow the teeth to seat properly on top of each other.

 

[photo2u]

Please stop pulling so hard. You will be going to create more damage to the zipper tape. I already notice one of the teeth pulling up too much from the tape chain. First, carefully push the mentioned teeth down. Second, when you insert the male pin to the female box, pull the slider slowly. It should slide normally. If it does not, the zipper male in not down enough for smooth teeth to teeth engagement. That is the key. Your teeth are not seating correctly. Try and try, Until this happens. Zippers always work when they seat properly.

 

[Bennarion]

The teeth on the zipper should be staggered

 

[hungapotamus]

Please stop pulling so hard. You will be going to create more damage to the zipper tape. I already notice one of the teeth pulling up too much from the tape chain. First, carefully push the mentioned teeth down. Second, when you insert the male pin to the female box, pull the slider slowly. It should slide normally. If it does not, the zipper male in not down enough for smooth teeth to teeth engagement. That is the key. Your teeth are not seating correctly. Try and try, Until this happens. Zippers always work when they seat properly.

I think you're right the teeth aren't catching or aligned correctly.

First , it requires some force to "stuff" the male pin into the zipper head so I think I may have clamped the zipper head too hard with pliers.

Second, the zipper head does not easily zip up it requires some force. I make sure the male pin is fully seated in the female slot but the first few teeth fail to connect properly.

I'm also a little worried about the male insert being warped, possibly frayed from pulling too hard Also the first set of teeth are they supposed to be this close to the male pin?

 

[Bennarion]

It looks to me, the male pin in not seating properly. Try just pulling the male section down. That should allow the teeth to seat properly on top of each other.

It needs to be inserted to the end

 

[Canuck Panda]

The easiest way is what Photo said, slide off the current puller and try different replacement Talon puller. Do this until you break the zipper teeth and get a new zipper then.

The issue with Talon zippers I find is that the male pin is long, the sunrise box is too short and the male pin requires a lot of effort at the start to make sure it's fully engaged. Make matter worse a lot of the Talon pullers are made of either too soft or too hard metal. YKK essentially is an improved Talon, ridding all it's faults. There is an extra notch on the male pin, and the puller inside must have a notch to first pull the pin down before zipping up. Talons just didn't have this mechanism by design.

Bigger doesn't mean better in zips ime. Import YKK number 10s can jam up. Conmatics number 5s are bullet proof zips and they're tiny. The design is right, short male pin, heavy duty tape to make the teeth last longer. I have one heavy jacket with a frayed male pin and the Conmatic still works, and its only #5. When the time comes to swap out the zipper you can consider the military grade Conmatic zips. Or the YKK universal number 5s.

Talon #5

YKK/Universal number 5, similar to Talon but ridding all it's design flaws, extra notch on the male pin, the inside of the puller must also improved,

Conmatic number 5, the military grade ones would last forever, keeps going and going,

I have blacken Conmatics on my RC G-1 jackets, much better than the Talons they use on the other jackets. Maybe with enough people filing a complain they will just switch to the Conmatics and not the Talons.

 

[hungapotamus]

Well I really goofed up now. I thought I had a problem with weak fabric holding the male pin starting to fray so I decided to reinforce that area with some fabric glue. Now I can't insert the male pin into the slot at all, the glue must have made the fabric thicker so now it won't fit.

It doesn't look like much but this area was staring to look worn. Now this is what happens when I try to insert the pin, the slot bites into the fabric. I'm afraid if I push too hard I'll rip it and really screw things up.

Anyone have any ideas before I throw in the towel and go to a professional to handle this? Maybe I should try and remove the glue?

 

[Canuck Panda]

take it to a cobbler and see if he can fix it for you.

 

[handymike]

The glue is water soluble. Get it wet and wipe it off.

 

[Will Zach]

I have really had it with poor quality repro zippers on expensive jackets. They are like fake Rolexes - there is nothing they do well, and work to the detriment of otherwise fine jackets. If I were OP, I would either find a #10 period Talon zipper (our own @photo2u can hook you up), or just buy a beefy Universal from YKK and never look back. Who needs a fake sunrise Talon, anyway?

 

[handymike]

Even my vtg 40s Sunrise Talon is finicky, but still going after 10yrs.