I have a rain jacket I like except for one thing...the plastic zipper is tough to operate. Any suggestions for how to lubricate?

I use wax. X-country ski wax to be exact. I was once told to use pencil lead because the graphite would lubricate the zipper. It made a bit of a mess of my jacket - hence wax.

Keep it clean, first tip. Then hit it with some zipper stuff made by McNett. I got mine from CCS. Sorry cant remember the name, but great stuff.
CB

zip-care
Goes on looking slimy but dries and you cant see it. keep it clean till it dries.

Thanks MP

First off make sure it is not a mechanical problem with the teeth or the slider. Next do not use things like wax that will be sticky and absorb or have dirt cling to it as dirt is the big enemy of a zipper.

Rub candle or ski wax on the zipper. You can buy a product but good old wax still works.

I get asked to replace many zippers where the pull has been worn by "lubricants" that hold dirt/ dust. Zip Care does not hold not attract things that are a temporary fix like soap or wax. Those items will hasten the wear that will lead to zipper pull replacement.

quote MagicPaddler: " zip-care
Goes on looking slimy but dries and you cant see it. keep it clean till it dries."

Yup, that's the good stuff. Dan Cooke recommended it, I used it - works great!

We use Zip-Tech by McNett for all of our Ice Rescue suits and Dry Suits on the Fire Dept. plus on other zippered items. The Zip-Tech came with all of our Ice Rescue suits and was recommended by the Dry suit companies.

Excellent post. Sooner or later everyone deals with a stubborn zipper--be it a tent, sleep bag, jacket or traveling baggage. zip-care or zip-tech to the rescue!

When Dan speaks, I tend to listen.

Doesn't anyone remember the old lead pencil rub on the zipper trick? Oh yeah, that's right. I am older than dirt.

That reminds me...gotta order a few sliders before summer. I had a lot of grief out west with the dry dusty weather... Washing the zipper helped a little. I tried "zip Care" cleaner lubricant...didn't help much. Tried generic silicone spray which worked great. I still replaced the slider when I got home.

I always thought that the answer was a glass or two of wine.

quote 3Ball: "I always thought that the answer was a glass or two of wine.
"

That only gets the zipper to work in the one direction though.

I have always used paraffin wax. Works great.

When out hunting or camping....I've used my chapstick.

The problem with parafin wax or chapstick ( which also contains parafin wax) is that wax attracts dirt which is what will damage a zipper. In an emergency out in the field it will be fine but not for regular use.