Installing Your TIZIP.

What is a TIZIP:

TIZIPs are waterproof, airtight and pressure-resistant zippers, making them perfect for application to an Iron Raft packraft.

As the TIZIP SuperSeal 50cm Zipper is closed, the sealing lips above and below the coil are pressed together to ensure a pressure resistance of 700 mbar. The TIZIP SuperSeal’s mechanical design ensures that the sealing lips are pressed more tightly together when the zipper is exposed to transverse tensile forces, which helps enhance its sealing strength.

Things to note:


The zipper is highly resistant to damage caused by dirt or sand. However, if dirt or sand is present, make sure you clean it with soap, water and even a fine brush if needed. Dirt can affect the sealing function.


Prior to installation, make sure your TIZIP is clear of debris.

When the TIZIP is bent or twisted underwater, it may allow in some water. Meaning that the TIZIP should be installed in a position where it does not bend too much, hence why we suggest installing it onto the rear of the raft.
When packing your Iron Raft away, make sure you do not bend your TIZIP.

Tools you’ll need to install your TIZIP with:


  • Heat sealing iron
  • Aquasure
  • Masking tape
  • Scissors
  • Ruler + pen
  • Heat resistant work surface

To outline the following notes simply, to install your TIZIP we are heat sealing and gluing the zipper to the additional 210D fabric provided, cutting a slit into your Iron Raft, and then heat sealing both your Iron Raft and zipper/ fabric combination together. 

You’ll see that your TIZIP came with a rectangle of 210D fabric with a slot cut out in the middle, this is what you’ll use to install your TIZIP to your Iron Raft. The slot is for the TIZIP to fit through.

You’ll also see that the 210D fabric comes with a tab at one of the ends. This is for a grab loop for when your TIZIP is installed to your Iron Raft, and you need something to push against to open the zipper. If you are not fussed on having a grab loop, you can cut this tab off. 

The next step is to heatseal the TIZIP to the 210D fabric. The TIZIP fabric is activated at a higher temperature than the 210D fabric, so you will need to increase your iron’s temperature to 210C. Note ironing from the 210D fabric side is more effective, as the TIZIP fabric is thicker and will take a long time to bond. 

Once the 210D fabric and TIZIP fabric has been heat sealed all the way round, let it cool for a few minutes. 

Up until now, the instructions for installing a TIZIP to your not yet built Iron Raft, or fully constructed raft are the same. Please read on for further instructions whether you are installing prior to construction of your Iron Raft (1a) or installing onto a pre-made Iron Raft (1b).

1a) INSTALLING PRIOR TO CONSTRUCTING YOUR IRON RAFT: 

As suggested above, we recommend installing your TIZIP on the rear left side of your Iron Raft. 

Leave at least 1.5cm between the TIZIP + 210D fabric combo and the edge of your Iron Raft’s fabric piece, as you’ll need to use this space for your seam strips when assembling your raft.Now mark up on the rear panel where you’ll cut the slot for the TIZIP to fit through, and then cut it out. We recommend roughly 500mm in length and 70mm in width. 

Leave at least 1.5cm between the TIZIP + 210D fabric combo and the edge of your Iron Raft’s fabric piece, as you’ll need to use this space for your seam strips when assembling your raft.

Now mark up on the rear panel where you’ll cut the slot for the TIZIP to fit through, and then cut it out. We recommend roughly 500mm in length and 70mm in width. 

Flip the TIZIP over and apply a strip of masking tape over the zipper’s back (this is to reduce the risk of getting glue inside the zipper). Grab your Aquasure glue and apply it to the edge of the TIZIP fabric, where the 210D fabric joins inside the raft. This is to ensure that the bond is air and watertight.  

Leave the Aquasure to dry for 24 hours. After waiting for the Aquasure to dry, apply a small amount of baby powder to where you applied the Aquasure, this ensures it doesn’t stick/ tack to itself. After this step is done, you have installed your TIZIP to your Iron Raft!

Now that you are done installing your TIZIP, use the included lubricant to aid your zipper in opening. There are instructions on the process of lubing your TIZIP included in the leaflets you receive. If you have lost them, don’t worry, take a look here. 

1b) INSTALLING ONTO A PRE-MADE IRON RAFT:

Cutting a slot in your Iron Raft for the TIZIP.  Start by inflating your Iron Raft, place the zipper on the rear of your raft (as shown above) and then mark where you’ll cut the slot for your TIZIP. Using masking tape to hold the TIZIP in place whilst you mark is a good idea.

Now mark up on the rear panel where you’ll cut the slot for the TIZIP to fit through. We recommend roughly 500mm in length and 70mm in width. 

Deflate your Iron Raft and cut out the slot that you marked. 

Before ironing, create a flat heat resistant surface inside your Iron Raft, for you to iron the TIZIP to your raft. 

Then begin ironing TPU side to TPU side, the TIZIP + 210D fabric combo to your Iron Raft. After heat sealing all the way around the TIZIP, open the zipper to ensure that you have heat sealed suitably.

Open the TIZIP apply a strip of masking tape over the zipper’s sides (this is to reduce the risk of getting glue inside the zipper mechanism). Grab your Aquasure glue and apply it to the edge of the TIZIP fabric, where the 210D fabric joins inside the raft. This is to ensure that the bond is air and watertight.  

Prop the TIZIP and the opening up, and leave the Aquasure to dry for 24 hours. After waiting for the Aquasure to dry, apply a small amount of baby powder to where you applied the Aquasure, this ensures it doesn’t stick/ tack to itself. 

Now that you are done installing your TIZIP, use the included lubricant to aid your zipper in opening. There are instructions on the process of lubing your TIZIP included in the leaflets you receive. If you have lost them, don’t worry, take a look here.

IRONING YOUR GRAB LOOP –