308/328 Rear compartment Zipper Repair Kit

Take it to your local Dry Cleaners. They usually have a seamstress that replaces zippers in a day. That's what I did and it works and looks great. Oh and it's way cheaper.

 

Before you take out the old one: Taking a pair of pliers and squeezing the existing zipper ever so slightly more tight often helps too!

 

A brilliant first post for me to read after my hiatus!
I look forward to hearing feedback on it and getting one myself soon.
Summer must be here if I'm thinking about Ferrari again.

 

Yes, removed in 5 minutes. Replaced in 10.

 

I removed the cover and delivered it with the new set zippers at a local shop that repaired clothes with an outstanding result. Doing it yourselves without experience with these usually female things is a mistake and your wife can not do it either as the cover material is very tough.

Succes!

 

You need a sewing machine capable of upholstery work....that's the easiest way it to take it off and reinstall, once repaired!

 

Fantastic thread, do you have a link for the repair kit? I need to get this done.

 

I too have received that "repair kit" and am waiting for the time to get things to a seamstress. I am concerned that the material has shrunk enough to make it tough to redo but am more concerned that the parts folks charged me for a zipper which can be had locally and isn't really a "kit" and then they charged me as much for shipping as the zipper cost when zippers of a similar size and shape are readily available for half the cost. I know, they have to make money but if they advertise a "kit" then I want to see a "kit". Special zipper ends with pulls that will fit over your old zipper maybe. Just disappointed a bit that's all.

Lester

 

In cases like that, I generally figure that part of the cost is the zipper, and part of the cost is that they figured out which zipper is the right one and got it for me all set to be taken to the seamstress, saving me the time of doing that research (and maybe expensive trial and error) myself.

 

I had mine done and it turned out all wavy, the curves are not easy to do, so maybe ask up front to try and keep everything flat. I ended up buying a whole new replacement part, looks and works great now.

TIP:
When I open the engine cover to show people, I unzip that cover at the same time, it's people leaning on it that ruins it.

 

The shrinking is exactly why your redo was wavy and that is what worries me about using my original stuff. I've owned the car for over 10 years and never once used it, so its GOT to be shrunken up. I wonder if I just yank the old one off and stick it in a storage box and buy a whole new set up? I need to talk to my upholstery guy here in town.....

 

I went to a shop selling all kind of camping stuff and bought a repair zipper set for a sleeping bag in black. These have double zippers as well and are strong. Price was 8 Euro

 

I came across this from a local vendor for $10
http://instantzipper.com/
(Well technically I used "Fix a Zipper" from TV Products)

I used the middle size one (SIZE 5)

It went on easy enough. It looks like the tension on the flap might be a bit much for it.
We'll see how it does.

 

I think it's the same as Zlideon:

http://www.zlideon.com/how-to.html

One of my sliders broke too but looking at the material of the flap I think it has shrunk as well. So a solution might be to remove the complete zipper, lay out the flap and sow the zipper back on.
Or, just remove the sliders and let it just hang! I wonder what its function is anyway. If anything it limits the luggage space.

 

Does anyone use anything on these zippers as part of ongoing maintenance? Silicon spray or ??? Mine is in good shape and I'd like to keep it that way but, as we always say, there's a limit to the service life you can expect on a 27 year old part. Thoughts?

 

I've used silicone, WD40, and even soap on the zipper to help it slide. And it works. But....the zipper teeth come apart easier right after the zipper. Probably due to material tension.

 

no...
but I alway use the same technique of closing it...both sliders to the middle that is

just put your middle finger of your one hand below a slider and use a little up-pressure,
then at the same time slowly move that slider with thumb and first finger of your other hand

depending on the slight pressure, sometimes this technique might even close again worn out sliders/zipper teeth

 

+1. I don't put anything on the zipper, I'm just kind to it Every once in a long while it might pop open at some point along its length, but gently unzipping and zipping it back up puts it all back together. Like most things on the car, if it's not roughed-up it will last a long time. Mine is still OEM. It is good to know that there are repair kits out there, though. I do use the boot regularly.

 

I have a replacement rear cover that I had gotten ages ago. I want to install it in the 328, but I need new rubber gasket. The old one is a mess. I know this has been discussed before, but does anyone know a good source for replacement rubber sear for the rear compartment? Source and part number would be great, as well as how many feet of the gasket is needed? Thanks!!

 

Got mine from T Rutlands. 12' long. About 50.00. Looks to be OEM.

 

Mucho thanko!!!!