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Zipper Anatomy
Tooth Zipper The teeth on a tooth zipper are equally visible on both sides of the tape. The teeth themselves look more like the teeth in your mouth. Every tooth is separate. Tooth zippers are excellent for straight applications like bags, pullovers, jackets, garment bags, etc.		Coil Zipper A coil zipper is flat on one side with the teeth on the other. The teeth look like a small, long coil sewn onto the zipper tape. Each tooth is connected to the next. Coil zippers bend easier and are ideal for tents, packs, sleeping bags, etc.

Not sure what zipper size you need?

• #5 tooth - all season sportswear.
  
• #5 coil - light sportswear, cycling shirts & zip-off pants.
  
• #8 coil - better quality luggage, bags, & tents.
  
• #10 coil & tooth - heavy duty bags or back packs.

how to SHORTEN A NYLON TOOTH SEPARATING ZIPPER FROM THE TOP
1. Always shorten a zipper from the top.
2. Mark both sides of the zipper tape where you want the zipper slider to stop at for the new length.
3. Pull the slider down so that the teeth are separated.
4. Remove the zipper top stops using small wire cutters.
5. Remove the nylon teeth by either grabbing the teeth with your wire cutters and twisting, or gently split the teeth with the cutters and pry them off. Remove them to the desired length marks you made.
6. Remove one extra tooth from each side. (Then the final length will be right where the top stops are installed).
7. Carefully, melt the top ends and edges of the zipper tape to finish any raw edges. Be careful – nylon melts quickly and stays hot for a few moments.
8. Using pliers, clamp the ‘U’ of a new top stop onto the tape right next to the last tooth. Squeeze hard – you don’t want the slider to pull off!

ZIPPER FACTS:
1. When a zipper seperates behind the slider and there is no obvious damage to the teeth, coils or stitching, you may need to replace just the slider! We have many different sizes, see part section above.
2. Metal zippers actually breakdown faster than plastic zippers, and they are colder in winter - but they do not melt!
3. Cleaning your zipper periodically over it’s life, will increase it’s old age! Dirt is a zippers biggest enemy.
4. YKK strongly recommends keeping your zipper free of any oils, waxes or liquids which only increase the dirt attraction.
5. When you need a zipper in an unusual colour, and can only find it in a longer length, no problem - just shorten it to the length that you need, using instruction just to the left.

Remember that these prices are in ultra cheap Canadian Dollars! (check the current exchange rate)

WATER REPELLENT ZIPPERS
Give your jackets the same look as the expensive ones in the stores!! Black only.
Non separating for pockets & vents: 23cm – 9” $3.50
One-way separating for jacket fronts: 71cm – 28” $8.00