Sometimes it happens that the fittings on your favorite bag are peeling or broken. Most often, the buckles of straps and handles become unusable. Is it possible to replace worn out parts and not throw away the bag? Read on for ways to restore it.
Is it possible to restore the buckle on a bag?
Quite often, the handle lock on the bag becomes unusable. And this, by the way, is not always due to the negligence of the manufacturer. The lifespan of any bag is affected by how much weight we carry in it. The appearance of the product can also be affected by environmental influences, and simply careless wearing.
The easiest way is to replace a damaged buckle. You can do this yourself without resorting to the help of specialists. It is enough to undo the belt, remove the old fittings and install new ones. But it will need to be placed so that the handle remains adjustable.
Buckle restoration options
Buckles may vary slightly in design. This has to do with both the material they are made from and where they are used.
Restoring a metal buckle
They are placed on almost all bags: both leather and leatherette or fabric. The thinner the material, the easier it is to process.. With some skill you can also deal with leather. So:
- First, we rip out the small seam on the strap, which secures the loop with the old buckle.
- We take a new one, matched to the main fittings, and suitable in size to the width of the belt itself, and attach it to one end of the strap by the middle jumper.
- We sew the seam again, trying to get into the old holes. This way, traces of repairs will not be visible and it will be easier for you to pierce hard skin. The main difficulty here is probably not even in the selection of accessories, but in the choice of threads to match the color of the rest of the seams. If they are not tone on tone, buy them a little darker.
- Now we pull the second end of the belt into one of the “ears” of the bag, where it is attached to the belt.
- Next, the belt needs to be threaded back into the buckle, over the sewn loop and attached to the opposite “eye” on the side. The belt is ready.
If you do everything carefully and match all the metal parts, no one will notice the substitution.
Plastic buckles
In fact, the replacement algorithm is the same. It is worth noting that plastic fittings are most often installed on backpacks; they can be changed according to the same principle as metal buckles. Only don't forget to sew the seam crosswise - it will be much stronger this way. After all, a backpack is not a small handbag, and the weight of the cargo carried in it will be much greater.
But the real problem with such buckles is spontaneous unfastening. This happens primarily due to the loosening of the locking mechanism. But do not rush to make radical replacement of fittings. It is quite possible to fix the fasteners much simpler:
- We unfasten the fasteners and, using a file or knife, make the gaps of the side teeth more pronounced if they are worn out.
- Next, we adjust the side clamps on the socket part of the fastener. To do this, heat them slightly with a lighter or torch.
- We press it inward a little, which gives it a better shape for fixing the teeth and cools.
The buckle is ready. Now she holds it tightly and will not unfasten on her own.
When is the best time to replace it with a new one?
Don't wait for the buckle to burst on the street. The bag (even if only for a while) will become unusable in such an incident. It will not be possible to use it. In addition, you risk dropping and damaging not only the bag itself, but also everything in it. The same advice can be given to backpack owners. However, experienced travelers will never go hiking with a backpack with faulty fittings.
If you notice that your bag's hardware is wearing out: Cracks appear on metal, deformation appears on plastic, then replace the damaged parts as soon as possible.
1
