I've been hard at work on mastering slipcovers, tweaking my fitting skills and production techniques. Thusfar, I've used plastic toothed chain (#5) and plastic sliders. But I don't like the bulky plastic sliders. Do any of you use brass zipper chain and brass sliders? what are you using and why/why not are you using it?
Brass is much more substantial for upholstery, I use it.
I used brass then moved to aluminum for years. Now I have turned to like the plastic better. The slides I get are not that big. #5 seems about right and they are nice and strong.
For slips and general furniture requirements, exceptions for anything, but #4 is my size of choice. Brass zipper material and of course slides aren't as available as longer ago and the preferred but plastic and aluminum work fine for me. From casual analysis, it seems the #4 is the size preferred by manufacturing of the same products I am refering to. But, the #5 is definitely my choice when the material and application require something a bit stronger.
Doyle
I live in an area of high humidity and aluminum corodes. Brass is much more durable.
Like you, Fl. Girl, I live in a humid maritime climate and corrosion is an issue for me, too. That's why I have used plastic, but I like the lower profile of the metal sliders. I suspect brass chain is going to be more expensive but I'm OK with that if the result is what I want.
Anyone using coil zipper?