How to Replace Zippers on A Canvas Top
Figured this might be useful. Seems a lot of people think this is harder than it is.
I recently replaced six (6) zippers on my enclosure. Cost me about $50 in materials. I got qoutes from $300 up. By doing it myself I took that extra cash and put into a couple of stainless pole holders, new transducer, and a nice Avet reel.
First, get all your supplies:
·Zippers (#10 YKK nylon) buy whats available that’s the same size or longer than the existing. you can always cut to length,
·Thread (Decron),
·Sewing Machine Needles (#18 or 20) buy a bunch cause if your like me you’ll bust em,
·Pins
·Sharp scissor.
Your sewing machine does not need to be industrial. You’ll need a straight stitch machine though.
Here’s a trick I learned during this project. Cut the old zipper out by simply cutting off the teeth. Leave the stitched section attached. This will add strength to the area of the newly stitched zipper, and will also avoid a bunch of holes in the outside of the canvas. Plus it’s easier.
Roughly place the new zipper in position and pin one end so you can get it to the machine and ready to stitch.
Start stitching an inch before the zipper to anchor the end down. Run a stitch about two (2) inches in on the zipper, than run back and forth across the lenght of the stitch.. Do this three (3) or four (4) times to create a nice anchor for the end of the zipper as all the pull of the top is focused on the ends of the zippers.
Run your stitch the length of the zipper slowly hand feeding the material till you reach the other end. Run the stitch an inch off the zipper, than back and forth, till its nice and strong. Turn it around and one (1) full-length stitch for durability.
If you had to cut the zipper to length, take a piece of canvas and stitch it to create a stop for the slider. Run a stitch across the ends a few times to make it nice and strong.
And make sure before you stitch the zipper is running the right direction I really stinks taking it off and re-doing it.
Replaced six (6) in two nights after work.
Figured this might be useful. Seems a lot of people think this is harder than it is.
I recently replaced six (6) zippers on my enclosure. Cost me about $50 in materials. I got qoutes from $300 up. By doing it myself I took that extra cash and put into a couple of stainless pole holders, new transducer, and a nice Avet reel.
First, get all your supplies:
·Zippers (#10 YKK nylon) buy whats available that’s the same size or longer than the existing. you can always cut to length,
·Thread (Decron),
·Sewing Machine Needles (#18 or 20) buy a bunch cause if your like me you’ll bust em,
·Pins
·Sharp scissor.
Your sewing machine does not need to be industrial. You’ll need a straight stitch machine though.
Here’s a trick I learned during this project. Cut the old zipper out by simply cutting off the teeth. Leave the stitched section attached. This will add strength to the area of the newly stitched zipper, and will also avoid a bunch of holes in the outside of the canvas. Plus it’s easier.
Roughly place the new zipper in position and pin one end so you can get it to the machine and ready to stitch.
Start stitching an inch before the zipper to anchor the end down. Run a stitch about two (2) inches in on the zipper, than run back and forth across the lenght of the stitch.. Do this three (3) or four (4) times to create a nice anchor for the end of the zipper as all the pull of the top is focused on the ends of the zippers.
Run your stitch the length of the zipper slowly hand feeding the material till you reach the other end. Run the stitch an inch off the zipper, than back and forth, till its nice and strong. Turn it around and one (1) full-length stitch for durability.
If you had to cut the zipper to length, take a piece of canvas and stitch it to create a stop for the slider. Run a stitch across the ends a few times to make it nice and strong.
And make sure before you stitch the zipper is running the right direction I really stinks taking it off and re-doing it.
Replaced six (6) in two nights after work.
