Touring - Stuck pannier pocket zippers. Any cure?

After years of service (rain dust even being washed by sea water), it has become tougher and tougher to open the zippers of the outter pockets in my panniers. Today I wished I had taken the Carradice saddle bag when I went for a snack at the start of a hypoglicaemia (fortunately enough there was some more food inside the pannier). So, is there a way to bring back the smooth operation the zips should have?

have you washed them? that's step number one. then:
- carefully cut off any frayed threads and seal the edges with glue or carefully use a lighter to melt the edge if it's nylon
- dig out anything that may be caught in the slider
- use some silicon spray

if this doesn't do it and the bags are still worth keeping the zippers may need to be replaced.

After cleaning the zipper, use plain old bar soap on the teeth of the zipper. This is an old trick that works well.

You might check with http://www.rainypass.com/ for zipper replacement.

Graphite from a pencil is good for zips.

And if all else fails, it is usually possible to replace a zipper for far less than the cost of replacing a pannier. A dry cleaner, tailor, seamstress, shoe repair shop, or camping store should be able to do the job.

candle wax works nicely, keeps em quiet too.

There are a vareity of waxs etc... sold to keep zippers moving smoothly, search under zipper wax. Just be sure to check the condition of the zipper teeth first. Wax may help a slightly resistant zipper, but a zipper that seems imovable is probably a sign of serious wear or fouling.

Thank you all for your tips. I've just tried the candle wax thing and the zippers are running like new. And what's more, I used a scented candle, so now the pockets smell beautifully.

Graphite from a pencil is good for zips.
+1

Works every time for me.

After years of service (rain dust even being washed by sea water), it has become tougher and tougher to open the zippers of the outter pockets in my panniers. Today I wished I had taken the Carradice saddle bag when I went for a snack at the start of a hypoglicaemia (fortunately enough there was some more food inside the pannier). So, is there a way to bring back the smooth operation the zips should have?For plastic zippers- silicone spray. For metal zippers - graphite lube. Graphite lube is used in lubes for car locks. The old fashioned soap or wax works but silicone or graphite work better (IMHO)