Things You'll Need
Pliers
Knife
Silicone lubricant
Fabric glue
Needle
Thread
Seam repair tape
Columbia sportswear manufactures outdoor wear and offers a limited lifetime warranty on all of their products. The warranty includes defects in the zipper and zipper pull. The garment can be replaced under the warranty if the garment has been cared for by manufacturers directions and the zipper has not been misused or worn out due to age. For damages caused by accidents or zippers that are worn out, a few repairs can be made to make the zipper like new again. This will give you a few more years of wearing your favorite Columbia jacket.
Step 1
Force the slider down to unzip the jacket completely. Pinch the slider with pliers, pushing the teeth back into alignment if necessary, to force the zipper over any splits.
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Step 2
Use a knife blade to realign bent or misaligned teeth. When using the blade, be careful not to cut the zipper fabric.
Step 3
Apply silicone lubricant over the zipper on both sides and along teeth to repair a zipper that will not slide up and down properly. If the zipper is constantly getting stuck and the slider will not move, this will lubricate the zipper teeth and enable them to slide better. Zip and unzip a few times to distribute the lubricant into hard-to-reach areas of the teeth.
Step 4
Repair loose or deteriorating seams with fabric glue or hand stitch using a matching colored thread to close any holes. When sewing, sew stitches approximately 1/4 inch beyond each end of the open area. Tie ends to prevent the new seams from also unraveling.
Step 5
Use waterproof seam tape to repair ripped seams. Place the tape along the seam, allowing 1/4-inch overlap on each end of the tear. Seal the edges of the tape with a small bead of fabric glue and allow 24 hours for the glue to fully set.
Tip
If you are not sure if your zipper repairs are covered under the warranty, contact Columbia customer service by emailing them from the customer service page.
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