Coat zipper replacement

S

scott_b

Member
The zipper on my snowmobile coat broke in the wash, the female piece on the bottom of the zipper came off. The coat is still in decent shape, if this hadn't happened I probably would have gotten 2, maybe 3 more seasons out of it. I am torn as to having the zipper replaced or to buy a new coat. The material is rather heavy (obviously) so I don't think a dry cleaner or tailor will replace it, probably need a shoe repair shop? The real question is what does this cost and will they be able to fix the coat back to being waterproof and durable? Anyone with experience on this?

Thanks
 
P

pez

Member
I have had this happen to me on three different coats in the past year. One company sent me the pull and directions. Very easy fix. The other two, Northface and Spyder asked me to send it in and replaced zipper at no-cost. So I would call the manufacturer.
 
mezz

mezz

Well-known member
I don't have "personal" experience with this type of fix, but I do know it can be done. We have an elderly gentleman in our area who runs Johnsons Shoe Repair in Houghton. I know he does coats as well as my brother had a leather jacket that he had the zipper replaced on. Nice work, still going after several years & very reasonable.-Mezz
 
T

t_man

New member
As PEZ said, try the manufacturer first. They may take care of you. If not:

I've gone both the dry cleaner and shoe repair route before. The dry cleaners around here can handle much heavier material than I had guessed. They are used to working on coats, heavy drapes, etc. Two different dry cleaners replaced zippers in heavy coats with good results and nice fit and finish.

A number of years ago I had a shoe repair place replace the lower leg zippers on a pair of bibs that had heavy vinyl on the lower legs. The vinyl was too much for the dry cleaners. The shoe repair people were able to replace the zipper but the fit and finish of the stitching was rough.

Price each time was well worth it considering I got several more seasons out of each item. I'd try the dry cleaners first and go to the shoe repair place second.
 
harski

harski

Member
I had a shoe repair shop work on mine with no issues. I did have some doubt but have been pleased thus far. Good luck!
 
R

renegade

Active member
Most anyone who offers tailoring service should be able to do it. I've done it more than once. My grandma did all of them and she just has a household sewing machine. Just go to a fabric store and buy the right length zipper and bring them in to a tailor.
 
M

mebearman

New member
I have had a couple of coats zippers replaced and you should get a better heavy duty one for around $35.00 and that includes the zipper and labor. The new zipper should be heavier than the old one.
 
N

nickels

New member
scott_b said:
The zipper on my snowmobile coat broke in the wash, the female piece on the bottom of the zipper came off. The coat is still in decent shape, if this hadn't happened I probably would have gotten 2, maybe 3 more seasons out of it. I am torn as to having the zipper replaced or to buy a new coat. The material is rather heavy (obviously) so I don't think a dry cleaner or tailor will replace it, probably need a shoe repair shop? The real question is what does this cost and will they be able to fix the coat back to being waterproof and durable? Anyone with experience on this?

Thanks
Click to expand...
Mine broke last year. Took to shoe repair place and they just put on the female part of the zipper. Didn't have to replace whole zipper. Took him 2 minutes and me $5.
 
W

windingtrailgal

Active member
Our local dry cleaner (well, there's about 50 here in my town!!) fixed my bro in law's coat - heavy leather - for $10 about 5 years ago on a 20 year old jacket. Still holding up - altho he doesn't ride a WHOLE lot. I don't think the material of the coat is an issue for the people who are in the know on how to fix/replace zippers.
 
X

xxxfire6

New member
I also had a Spyder jacket that the dog chewed the zipper off. Called the manufacturer, they said send it in we'll take a look at it. so I sent it in and they sent it back in 6 days with no charge to me. Spyder is my choice for (ski) jackets from now on!!!
 
W

windingtrailgal

Active member
xxxfire - that's some FAST turnaround time. That would be one of my considerations - when do I need the coat again? If have to mail and wait for it, even if is just 6 days, doesn't matter when need for TODAY! But that's good to know they took care of their customer.
 
T

Team Elkhorn

Guest
Even when we can find someone with a sewing machine that can handle it, we've always had problems finding zippers long enough to work on a snowmobile jacket.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top