Bingo Bear has a stuck zipper

[sailorstitch]

Another Goodwill find today was a Bingo Bear plush.

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According to Ebay, working ones can sell for $30-$50! Sadly, I'm 99% sure this one no longer works. His zipper to his battery compartment is STUCK!

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It looks like his batteries leaked and glued it shut.  Is there any hope of getting his zipper unstuck? I was thinking about keeping the bear and selling just his scarf. But I'd like to still clean him out if it's possible.

sailorstitch

[JazzMatazz]

My dad uses steel wool or a screwdriver to scrape away corrosion from leaked batteries. It already looks pretty well gone so I'd say it's worth a try?

[kakenterprise]

Ya I'd say give it a try.  The only thing you can really do is scrap the glue off and see if it works. 

Its sucks when people leave batteries in stuff. 


an old toothbrush is good too for removing the gunk

[lovesbabysquirmy]

Baking soda on some steel wool will clear out the corrosion.  Use a toothpick to grind it into the zipper teeth.  WEAR GLOVES, battery acid is serious business. 

[sailorstitch]

Huh, I never worn gloves before when I've cleaned up other leaked batteries. Never heard I was supposed to.

I was thinking about an old toothbrush, but I didn't know if soap and water would be strong enough. I'll give it a try later.

Thanks!
sailorstitch

Post Merge: December 06, 2015, 12:13:51 PM

I just tried the soap and water. It took off the loose bits of gunk, but that's about it. Toothpick didn't help either. What about WD-40?

sailorstitch

Post Merge: December 06, 2015, 12:22:28 PM

Steel wool is a bust too.

[Wardah]

You might need to cut him open. You really can't leave leaking batteries inside him.

[sailorstitch]

You might need to cut him open. You really can't leave leaking batteries inside him.

I'm trying to avoid that, but I'm afraid I might have to.....

[ghouldilocks]

Huh, I never worn gloves before when I've cleaned up other leaked batteries. Never heard I was supposed to.

Spoiler

I was thinking about an old toothbrush, but I didn't know if soap and water would be strong enough. I'll give it a try later.

Thanks!
sailorstitch

Post Merge: December 06, 2015, 12:13:51 PM

I just tried the soap and water. It took off the loose bits of gunk, but that's about it. Toothpick didn't help either. What about WD-40?

sailorstitch

Post Merge: December 06, 2015, 12:22:28 PM

Steel wool is a bust too.

You're lucky you haven't had any problems, then! Battery acid is called that for a reason - it's a caustic solution that can and will burn if it comes into contact with your skin! You should definitely wear PPE when dealing with leaking batteries. 

Good luck getting the zipper unstuck! Maybe try prying the zipper pull off with needle-nose pliers? I hope you're able to get into him without damaging anything beyond the zipper!