Does anyone have any tips for unzipping a board bag where the zips have been corroded? I don't really want to cut apart my board bag just to be able to get my board out.
Better than WD-40 is Inox spray. WD-40 was not designed for a marine enviroment and although people use it there, it tends to accumulate salt crystals and ends up more of a problem.
I've tried some of these remedies in the past, but they haven't worked well for me. Sometimes the corrosion isn't soluble, so I've had to resort to chipping off as much as possible with a pointed tool to get the slider to move. Dentistry tools would probably be good, but my dentist isn't interested when I take my board bag to dental appointments. Will have to find a dentist who windsurfs. I've tried Selleys EzyGlide (?) in a green can which I think is a silicone spray for zips. Sort of works, but doesn't help much when the zip is stuck in the first place. After chipping as much of the corrosion away, forcing the zip open by pulling apart the open side of the bag has worked, but then again, the last time I treid this a few months ago, the well corroded zip slider broke apart. Time to replace with a plastic slider. I've resolved never to buy a boardbag with metal zip components again. Don't know if any of this helps, but at least you now know that you're not alone not alone with this problem. Cheers
OK OK OK. I don't use WD-40, I use CRC Always have a can with my kit... have used it on (other peoples) sail bags, wetsuit zips (while wearing) lately - freed the zips within 10 seconds. I used to use it on my mast extension rollers to make downhauling a little easier.
Took an old board bag to a sailmaker the other day with a buggered zip and asked him why can't they put plastic sliders on them same as wetsuits and was told not strong enough, later on I thought to myself there is no stress on them but in a wety your pulling it up over your fat guts= much more stress
Thanks for the tips, finally got around to spraying on some inox and letting it sit for awhile the pulling the 2 sides apart. Don't think I can be bothered doing that again so the zips are staying open.
Always have a can with my kit... have used it on (other peoples) sail bags, wetsuit zips (while wearing) lately - freed the zips within 10 seconds. I used to use it on my mast extension rollers to make downhauling a little easier.
And lots of it
