Author Topic: Sticky zips at night?  (Read 3034 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline schmik

  • Tent User
  • ***
  • Posts: 245
  • Thanked: 1 times
Sticky zips at night?
« on: February 27, 2011, 08:43:35 PM »
Does canvas shrink at night, when it gets colder? Every day I adjust the tent and the canvas door closes fine. Every evening and in the middle of the night the zip then sticks badly. I try to leave enough slack in the tent so the zip runs smoothly but every night it is tight as! Any ideas or tips?

Offline 4x4equip

  • Learning the Ropes
  • *
  • Posts: 16
    • 4x4 Equip
Re: Sticky zips at night?
« Reply #1 on: February 27, 2011, 09:18:41 PM »
Are they plastic or metal zips?

Offline schmik

  • Tent User
  • ***
  • Posts: 245
  • Thanked: 1 times
Re: Sticky zips at night?
« Reply #2 on: February 27, 2011, 09:42:19 PM »
Plastic teeth and metal slider. Its bugging me because we are 5 nights in to a 9 week trip.

Variflex

  • Guest
Re: Sticky zips at night?
« Reply #3 on: February 27, 2011, 09:46:50 PM »
I usually try and do a little maintenance when camping, just five minutes or so, anywho i always put a little silicon spray on a cloth and wipe it over my zips, nothing worse than having a zip stick and end up damaging the stitching in the canvas.

I figure whilts the camper is set up its the best time to do any work on the camper.

This doesnt answer your question but may help you at in the future
Cheers
Darren.

Offline GU_Thomo

  • Hard Top Camper User
  • ******
  • Posts: 1714
  • Thanked: 2 times
  • Gender: Male
Re: Sticky zips at night?
« Reply #4 on: February 28, 2011, 06:51:45 AM »
Mine do not stick but they are very noisy.
What is the best lubricant that will not stain the canvas?

Cheers
Parry

Offline DANBRI

  • "Canvas Undies Never Die"
  • Hard Top Camper User
  • ******
  • Posts: 2773
  • Thanked: 1 times
  • Gender: Male
  • www.campingaustralia.org
Re: Sticky zips at night?
« Reply #5 on: February 28, 2011, 06:57:26 AM »
Yes, they expand and retract.

I have seen a 4m awning retract 100mm when frozen. A bit of wax on the zips will keep them flowing nicely.

Offline Beachman

  • Hard Top Camper User
  • ******
  • Posts: 1571
  • Thanked: 130 times
  • Gender: Male
Re: Sticky zips at night?
« Reply #6 on: February 28, 2011, 10:06:41 AM »

A bit of wax on the zips will keep them flowing nicely.

When you say wax, do you mean something like a candle to rub along the zip?

Offline DANBRI

  • "Canvas Undies Never Die"
  • Hard Top Camper User
  • ******
  • Posts: 2773
  • Thanked: 1 times
  • Gender: Male
  • www.campingaustralia.org
Re: Sticky zips at night?
« Reply #7 on: February 28, 2011, 10:12:42 AM »
Yep, it will do!

Offline 4x4equip

  • Learning the Ropes
  • *
  • Posts: 16
    • 4x4 Equip
Re: Sticky zips at night?
« Reply #8 on: February 28, 2011, 02:02:10 PM »
Yep, it will do!
Candle wax or beeswax both work well. Silicone spray also works, but the waxes are better.