How to take care of Velcro on motorcycle clothing?

“Worn Velcro” is one of the more common repairs that comes to us. After a long period of use, Velcro loses its grip. Velcro in motorcycle clothing plays an important role—for example, the Velcro under the neck secures the zipper-lock mechanism against constant “tensioning”. When the Velcro is damaged, the naturally tensioned leather on the chest tries to pull the zipper apart, stressing the lock. If this tension repeats, the zipper lock can be damaged and the zipper may open while riding. The good news is that replacing Velcro with brand-new pieces is a low-cost repair.

So what can you do to keep Velcro working properly for as long as possible?

• Try to always fasten the Velcro together—whether you’re currently using the item or not. If the Velcro is closed, dust, pet hair and loose threads won’t get inside as easily.
• Fasten the Velcro during regular cleaning as well—this way the hooks (hard side) and loops (soft side) won’t be damaged by abrasion or rubbing, reducing the risk of fraying.
• If the hooks are bent and twisted, they won’t hold strongly anymore. Try sliding a straight knife under the small hooks at an angle. This can help realign them and improve the grip.
• If dirt gets into the hooks, you can clean it out with, for example, a toothbrush. If the soft side is covered with fuzz/lint, it will prevent the Velcro from closing tightly. Remove the matted, fluffy bits with a wire brush, a stiff comb, or a needle.
• If dirt sticks to the soft side, you can remove it with, for example, adhesive tape.
• If the soft side is frayed, the Velcro fibers are further apart, which means the hooks can’t catch the loops. In that case, you can trim the frayed pieces with scissors.

Do you need Velcro replacement? Get in touch with us!