Zipper Problems – Not sliding smoothly? Hard to get it move sometime? – Maybe the locking pin is not being disengaged…
Often, when we pull a small Locking zipper tab, the "pull tab" becomes perpendicular to the zipper body, which results in disengaging the locking tooth. If you don't pull the zipper tab away from the slider body correctly to disengage the locking tooth, the zipper can be very difficult to operate.
This may happen if you have a "pull cord" attached to the zipper tab. Then you are relying on "force in the right direction". If you pull straight down or straight up, you may not be releasing the locking tooth. It depends on the zipper. The problem is exacerbated with lose, light fabric.
Also, be aware that some locking zippers only lock in the down direction. So a zipper might feel smooth going up, but not so easy going down, especially when the pull tab is parallel to the zipper coils/teeth.
I remove the locking spring on many of my lightweight tops and shells –
Stick a fine pick under the tooth end, pry it up, grab it with small diagonal cutters or needle nose pliers, and pull it out from under the pull tab, and then away from the body.
They don't All look like this, but the various designs are similar.
And, do be careful. The spring is small, pointy, and self-launching.
