[C320-list] Soaked Cockpit Cushions

[Mike Ott]

We solved the zipper issue with our soaked cockpit cushions.  We tried everything suggested and then some to free up the stuck zipper slides with no results.  They would not move so we attacked the problem from the other end.  With a beautiful tool, called a seam-ripper (available for about $5 at any fabric store) we opened the seams around the non-slider end and pulled out the zipped zipper end.  By pulling the zipper sides apart the zipper opened without a problem, so we could pull out the cushions. After spraying down the insides of the covers and cushion material with mild bleach solution we let the beautiful NC sun do the rest.  We bought new zipper sliders from Sailrite (YKK 4.5 mm slider $.20 each) and after watching the video supply by Allan (thanks Allan) we were able to restart the zippers using the new sliders.  I cut off the pulls on the old sliders and now the new slider just butt up against the old slider base and is almost hidden by
 the vinyl cover flap. With a little hand stitching on the non-slider end of the zipper, we tucked in the end and we were done.  You could hardly notice the reworked zipper and besides the zipper side is against the back of the cockpit anyway.  The whole operation cost about $12, mostly for postage from Sailrite for the sliders, and 1/2 day of labor.
Now if I can just remember bring them in after sailing ...

Mike Ott
'Amanda Lu'
#508





________________________________
 From: Allan S Field <allan.field at verizon.net>
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com 
Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2014 11:14 AM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Soaked Cockpit Cushions
 

http://lifehacker.com/5975700/how-to-fix-every-common-zipper-problem

http://www.wisegeek.org/how-do-i-fix-a-stuck-zipper.htm#didyouknowout


-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of William Ott
Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2014 10:22 AM
To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Soaked Cockpit Cushions

Under the heading of bone-head moves I left our cockpit cushions out for a
couple weeks while we were out of town.  It rained and snowed and melted and
soak a couple pretty good.  I remember, my ever vigilante first-mate asking
whether leaving them out would be problem; of course not, I said the are
closed-cell foam.   Obviously they are not.
These are original equipment cushions and the zippers are 'welded' shut.
I've try all manner of penetrating oil and no luck.  I have rolled the
cushions and forced out a lot of water through the seams.  I continue to
bake them in the sun.  I have thought about using a sharp drill bit and
drilling weep holes in the vinyl sides.  Anyone any ideas ?

Mike Ott
'Amanda Lu'
#508

Sent from my iPad