Latex is different from other materials – especially if your background is in manufacturing clothing or leather items, you may have to adapt some of your techniques to fit this material. Here are some common gotchas.
- Use stainless steel or plastic snaps
- Many "stainless" snaps are made from nickel-coated brass. Brass can damage latex over time, resulting in "latex rot". Avoid brass snaps.
- Latex garments are washed on a regular basis. Avoid snaps that are not stainless, as these will rust and be destroyed over time. Non-stainless snaps are common in leather manufacture, but are not suitable for latex.
- Stainless steel snaps are difficult to acquire and expensive (around $1 per snap). Marine supply companies typically carry stainless steel snaps. Beware of eBay purchases of "stainless steel" snaps, as these are often brass, not stainless steel.
- Plastic snaps ("KAM snaps") are a good alternative for many applications.
- Beware of the force required for metal snaps
- Beware of the force required to separate the snaps. Latex is a fragile material and can rip when pulled with too much force. Many snaps made for clothing or leather require significant force to separate them.
- Plastic snaps ("KAM snaps") require less force and still hold items together securely.
- Always back snap application areas with a non-flexible material
- Latex is too flexible to hold snaps securely, and snaps can pop out or tear the material if applied without a backing material.
- Use a fabric coated in liquid latex as the backing material; this can be securely glued to the latex.
- Sew the zipper bottom closed if you are making your own zippers.
- Many bottom stops contain metals (like brass) that damage the latex over time.
- It's easiest to avoid bottom stops altogether; simply sew the zippers closed at the bottom.
- Top stops are usually less of a problem since they are not in permanent contact with the latex.
- Coat the zipper fabric in liquid latex before glueing it to the latex.
- Latex glue often does not soak into the zipper fabric sufficiently to glue it securely to latex.
- Avoid zippers detaching over time by coating the zipper fabric in liquid latex before adhering it.