Sand in my new Cuben Supermid zipper

I've had this happen quite often with a bivy and have had pretty good luck soaking and rinsing it in the tub and then using the zipper lube.

But for a large expensive shelter like the Supermid, I would probably set it up, hose it down and then soak and rinse it in the tub a couple times at least. I'm not sure about scrubbing the zipper with a tooth brush as I have never done that, but I'm sure it wouldn't hurt. Definitely use the zip lube at the end. That all may be over-kill but I would be pretty anal concerning a shelter like that, as you know sand and zippers do not like each other.

Not much fine desert sand in my area but after a BPing trip to Zion last year I soaked and lightly agitated my Fly Creek tent and fly in a large cargo carrying type container outside (similar to a cooler) with a little gear wash saving my indoor plumbing from the extra debris. Rinsed them several times and dried set up in the shade. I think a little gear wash will go along way at helping to loosen and remove impregnated dirt. Scrubbing of the zips was not necessary in my case.

I had to wash just about everything we took on that trip except the SB's which I guarded from that fine dust with my life :) I could not believe the amount of red dust that settled at the bottom of the cargo tub the first few rinses. All in all it was well worth the trouble.

Good luck. jimmyb