Snaps are hard to get snapped

Boomer2 · 05-29-2009, 07:12 PM

I have a top on my jet boat and the snaps are extremely hard to get snapped and un-snapped, it isn�t because the top is too tight they are just hard to get to work. Does anyone have advice on a way to free them up? I thought about a small amount of WD but it may stain the top if it over sprays. Any ideas?

adobe wall · 05-29-2009, 07:19 PM

If you are anywhere near a Joe's sports, they have a snap tool that should be 80-90% off tomorrow. Sat is the last day they are open. I saw a handful of them at the Delta Park location. They usually run about $20 each. It's got a blue/red handle and the metal part has a horseshoe shaped cutout.

The tool is sorta handy for snapping, but really handy for unsnapping and not stressing the fabric. I have found the hard way if you pull hard enough on the fabric when unsnapping, you can tear the fabric right off the snap. The tool grabs the female side of the snap and pops it right off.

Lithium grease on the female side of the snap helps a lot. Also check the male snap because these tend to get banged up at the dock and really make getting a snap on/off really tough if they are out of round. If they are, drill out the screw and get some rivet on type replacement snaps (Lowe's, Home Depot) and replace the male snap. The pop rivet on type are much easier to install than screw in ones, which tend to twist right off and leave the screw in the hole. If that happens you have to drill out the broken off screw, which is also not fun.

If the male sides of the snap are in perfect shape, then lube with some lithium grease on the female snap.

hth, aw

Boomer2 · 05-29-2009, 07:28 PM

Thanks I'll give it a try, I knew there had to be something easy to do. Went to Joe's in Salem today there was nothing there.

baitsauce · 05-29-2009, 08:03 PM

I had the same problem until I gave the female side a little shot of "Rem oil" with teflon. Worked really good.

Jason S · 05-30-2009, 03:32 PM

Vasoline the female side once a year. Small amount will do. Keeps them from coroding together also on areas of the canvas that are not getting done and undone all the time. It is a yearly preventitive maintenance item for me.

Jet-Man · 05-30-2009, 03:45 PM

Let me say "" SNAP EZE ""
It's a jell made just for that ... OUT STANDING.

Don't fish e nuff · 05-30-2009, 04:33 PM

I give mine a shot of silicon dry lube. If you don't have any on hand, use waterproofing spray that is 100% silicon.

baitsauce · 05-30-2009, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jet-Man

Let me say "" SNAP EZE ""
It's a jell made just for that ... OUT STANDING.

How does this stuff for those of us who more often than not are in the salt?

namu mac · 05-30-2009, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason S

Vasoline the female side once a year. Small amount will do. Keeps them from coroding together also on areas of the canvas that are not getting done and undone all the time. It is a yearly preventitive maintenance item for me.

Easy and cheap and it works!

Boomer2 · 05-31-2009, 07:14 AM

Thanks everyone, I'm working on it today.

Raining_Kings · 05-31-2009, 09:09 AM

There is a snap tool that grabs ahold of the snaps and gives you WAY MORE leverage on stretching the fabric to your snaps them. West Marine sells them as do a lot of marine suppliers. Do a search on "top-snapper" on google and you'll see what I mean. Highly recommended.

-= Scott

Moldy45 · 05-31-2009, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason S

Vasoline the female side once a year. Small amount will do. Keeps them from coroding together also on areas of the canvas that are not getting done and undone all the time. It is a yearly preventitive maintenance item for me.

this is the advise my top builder gave me also

shorthair · 05-31-2009, 03:27 PM

I used wax worked well & doesn't stain.