Zipper lube?

I don’t see silnylon specifically mentioned, but this is a pretty universal zipper lube that dries clear and works well.

https://www.gearaid.com/products/zipper-lubricant?_pos=1&_psq=zipper&_ss=e&_v=1.0

it says it’s silicone a paraffine free but doesn’t say what it is

I wonder if you really need a zipper lube.  Maybe just hose it off or put in washing machine if it gets dirty?

The problem with any form of liquid zipper lube is that can (and will) collect dust and very fine sand. That can be the end of the slider. My own recommendation is just “don’t do it”.

Mind you, I have used a very small amount of graphite powder (dry powder, NOT paste) blown onto the zipper teeth. Very little sticks, but sometimes it helps a little bit. You need very little of it.

The really big thing with zippers is to use almost NO force on them. Hold the teeth together so the slider runs up easily. Do NOT use the slider to pull the teeth together. This has allowed the #3 plastic coil-coil zips I use on my gear to last a decade or more.

Cheers

Makes sense. It sounds like chain lube.  They used to advertise that it doesn’t fly off and it didn’t. Neither did the dirt.

Lightly draw a line up the teeth of the baulky zipper with a #2 pencil, then slowly work the zipper up and down once or twice.

#2 pencil – neat.

Thank you all for your responses and ideas. My situation: I have a long YKK 4.5 coil zipper on my new tent prototype that got sandblasted and would open only under protest (it was always a little difficult even before that, brand new). I hosed everything off but it was still rough. I have used the GearAid liquid before but it seemed messy so I used the wax stick version they sell, like I use on my drysuit. But now the wax sticks and it too is full of sand and collecting in the slider. I was hoping someone might have an idea for a minimally residual spray but it sounds like no. I do like the idea of the pencil if you all think that won’t catch sand. I would be inclined to do it more than as minimally as Steven suggests. What do you think?

You can probably find a water temp that will soften the wax and with some dish soap and a tooth brush, I bet you can get rid of most of it. We use the wax stick zipper lubes on our drysuit and survival suit zippers, but I use the liquid stuff on normal zippers (if they are being balky) and on my cargo zips (basically a drysuit zipper) on my packrafts. The application of the liquid is not too messy. Just advance a drop into the brush head and work that into the coils. Squeeze out a bit more as needed. It dries and does not seem to produce a dirt-attracting residue, though I don’t exactly live in the dustiest place, lol.