custom adjustments to wetsuits on one's own?

[Shannon R]

Hi all. I am wondering if it's possible to make adjustments to wetsuits for better fit without totally messing them up. I recently purchased a C4 Siderol two piece, bottoms are great, top almost great. There is just too much fabric in the crotch letting a lot of water in from the bottom. I have a good sewing machine and am proficient with it. So am wondering if I should make attempts at it, and if so, if anyone had advice on a good approach.

I also wonder if the snap enclosure is a problem. I have another suit that also doesn't fit well but I kept because it was so cheap and not worth returning (also a 3mm while the newer C4 is a 5mm). It doesn't sound like I can return the C4 (from the US to France) because I tried it out in the water, I didn't know I couldn't do that, only try it on at home, which seems pointless, as its hard to tell how well it really fits outside the water. Also I think I put a small nick in it (open cell exterior, nylon interior) with a finger nail which means I definitely cannot return it.

With the other suit it is velcro at the bottom which seems to help fit it more snuggly, there is room for adjustment but none with the clip/snap thing. So i'm also wondering if I could remove the velcro from the other suit and switch it out for the snaps. Or is there some way the snaps could be made to be more adjustable?

The hood opening on the C4 is also a bit too big around the face but isn't a huge problem as it still stays on well enough (the main fit issue with the other suit is the hood which just comes completely off when diving! but I figured I could wear it surfing, another reason I kept it).

I'm inserting a pic to show what kind of snaps I mean..

Thanks everyone! (next time I'm definitely doing a custom fit suit, but probably not till next year as I'm out of extra funds to spend on the sport for now!)
Shannon

 

[7BDiver]

The fit doesn't look bad, surprised you would have flushing issues, perhaps the lined interior is prone to water intrusion? The neoprene is easy to deal with if you use a quick setting adhesive like Aqua Seal Neo. Not sure what the stitching on the inside looks like but most of these suits will have stitching that goes through half the material thickness. It may just have taped seams for the fabric like how a lot of socks are made. There are a lot of ways to make it work. Guessing where and how much material to remove is the difficult part. I once added a 1" wide strip to the middle of a. Smoothskin hood that was a brain squeezer. If it is only practical to stitch through consider using a nice smooth and flexible Aquaseal + FD to seal and provide a little extra strength, takes 8 hrs to set but is a nice end result.

 

[gerry66]

Hi Shannon,

Somewhat it appears that the snap enclosure you have in your wetsuit is somehow posing some worries. I guess you can take it to a tailor and ask him to fix it for you, maybe he will be able to. You could also try and apply wetsuit sealant or even a wetsuit repair kit as well in an endeavor to sort out the problem.

 

[Shannon R]

The fit doesn't look bad, surprised you would have flushing issues, perhaps the lined interior is prone to water intrusion? The neoprene is easy to deal with if you use a quick setting adhesive like Aqua Seal Neo. Not sure what the stitching on the inside looks like but most of these suits will have stitching that goes through half the material thickness. It may just have taped seams for the fabric like how a lot of socks are made. There are a lot of ways to make it work. Guessing where and how much material to remove is the difficult part. I once added a 1" wide strip to the middle of a. Smoothskin hood that was a brain squeezer. If it is only practical to stitch through consider using a nice smooth and flexible Aquaseal + FD to seal and provide a little extra strength, takes 8 hrs to set but is a nice end result.

Thanks! I realize looking at the pic now that its not possible to really see the issue with the crotch but there is too much material there which doesn't stay flush but folds and moves around and I feel that the snaps themselves are an issue as I can't close the suit in a better (more flush?) way. Also they seem too far apart maybe. But def. a lot of water comes in from the bottom. I'll have to look at it again to see if its sewn or taped, I think its sewn in that part. I think I could figure out how much material to remove without an issue. And it looks like I might be able to take the snaps off (little screws on them) and then try applying velcro maybe. I wonder about the effectiveness of trying to wear the jacket under the pants?

 

[Shannon R]

Hi Shannon,

Somewhat it appears that the snap enclosure you have in your wetsuit is somehow posing some worries. I guess you can take it to a tailor and ask him to fix it for you, maybe he will be able to. You could also try and apply wetsuit sealant or even a wetsuit repair kit as well in an endeavor to sort out the problem.

I don't think we have tailors in our small town out here. In fact it seems like they are a disappearing breed in general! But there is a surf shop, they might have suggestions for wetsuit repairs. (just occurred to me now I could ask them), so I'll check with them. thank you!

 

[7BDiver]

I like the velcro strap and center buckle for the beaver tail, what I have always used. If you attach a buckle and strap consider the material thickness in those areas for strength. I have never tried the pants over the suit personally, might really pull a lot of water in the belt line if it's not fairly tight. A silicone weight belt might sinch enough to help and still be comfortable. Here are a few pics of my 3 mil beaver tail, note it is at least 5 mill in the tail itself. I have seen an Elios smoothskin suit just tuck a long beaver tail under the front of the top with only velcro and no buckle.

 

[vrokhlenko]

Everything is possible. I inserted a 4cm - wide piece in the front of my wetsuit (nylon/opencell). Glued edge to edge and also slapped a patch on the inside for a good measure. Sewing is not required IF you have at least one open cell side. In your case just cut out a piece that looks like an orange peel segment and glue. You can use this for gluing - https://www.michaels.com/product/da...tact-cement-10658496?michaelsStore=7773&inv=4 - works as well as other contact cements

 

[Bill McIntyre]

Anything is possible, but it isn't likely that you or anyone who doesn't make or repair wetsuits for a living will be able to modify your suit so that it fits well. Write it off as a lesson learned. Now you know why people recommend custom suits and it will seem worth the money when you get one.

I faintly recall whenI finally got my first custom suit. The company said I could send my measurements. I said I'd prefer drove 60 miles through heavy traffic and let them measure me. When it was done they offered to mail it to me. I said I'd rather drive to pick it up and try it on. I tried it on an wasn't quite perfect. They told me to go to lunch and come back in hour. When I came back it fit perfectly so they modified their measurement sheet to reflect the changes made. When it wore out they got the next one right on the first try.

 

[vrokhlenko]

Anything is possible, but it isn't likely that you or anyone who doesn't make or repair wetsuits for a living will be able to modify your suit so that it fits well. Write it off as a lesson learned. Now you know why people recommend custom suits and it will seem worth the money when you get one.

I faintly recall whenI finally got my first custom suit. The company said I could send my measurements. I said I'd prefer drove 60 miles through heavy traffic and let them measure me. When it was done they offered to mail it to me. I said I'd rather drive to pick it up and try it on. I tried it on an wasn't quite perfect. They told me to go to lunch and come back in hour. When I came back it fit perfectly so they modified their measurement sheet to reflect the changes made. When it wore out they got the next one right on the first try.

I'd do that too but it is a long bus drive to Italy! I ordered twice from Elios and several from Polosub. None was perfect but I have a rather unique build. Polosub was better. By the way your suggestion to write it off gives her a perfect opportunity to fix it and learn. If she screws it up - she gets a new one. I modified my Polosub jacket and it is a thing of beauty by my standards. perfect fit now.

 

[Shannon R]

Anything is possible, but it isn't likely that you or anyone who doesn't make or repair wetsuits for a living will be able to modify your suit so that it fits well. Write it off as a lesson learned. Now you know why people recommend custom suits and it will seem worth the money when you get one.

I faintly recall whenI finally got my first custom suit. The company said I could send my measurements. I said I'd prefer drove 60 miles through heavy traffic and let them measure me. When it was done they offered to mail it to me. I said I'd rather drive to pick it up and try it on. I tried it on an wasn't quite perfect. They told me to go to lunch and come back in hour. When I came back it fit perfectly so they modified their measurement sheet to reflect the changes made. When it wore out they got the next one right on the first try.

Thanks Bill. That's a helpful story. I am not sure how far I'd need to drive for that.. was that in CA, can you tell me where?

 

[Shannon R]

I'd do that too but it is a long bus drive to Italy! I ordered twice from Elios and several from Polosub. None was perfect but I have a rather unique build. Polosub was better. By the way your suggestion to write it off gives her a perfect opportunity to fix it and learn. If she screws it up - she gets a new one. I modified my Polosub jacket and it is a thing of beauty by my standards. perfect fit now.

True I can at least experiment with what I've got since I can't return anything. I'm just learning how sensitive open cell is (exterior of mine). I had folded my suit up and without thinking put a tiny bit of weight on top of it with another suit and found that the clip enclosure things had started to bite into the open cell and leave small marks! So now I have everything draped over my surfboard. I knew about taking care with finger nails but hadn't considered that the hard plastic parts on the suit itself could cause damage if not stored properly.

 

[Bill McIntyre]

I should confess that I did take a chance on Italy. For about 20 years I wore suits from JMJ in Torrance, but their rubber wasn't quite as soft as suits I was seeing on guys on my boat, so I went to a dive shot, Spear America in Irvine CA, that sold Polosub. I didn't want to be accused of poor measurements so I had Petros, the owner, measure me and then submit the order. It seems that he waited until he had several orders and submitted them together. Maybe he got a discount that way but I don't know for sure. But anyway, the order came from him, not me. I asked him what would happen if the suit didn't fit when it arrived and he said he'd sell it to someone else. When it arrived it fit perfectly. That was a 5.5 mm suit and it was about as warm as my 7mm suit from JMJ. Later I ordered a 3.5 mm suit. It also fit perfectly and was about as warm as my 5 mm JMJ suit. So I lived happily ever after with one exception. I noticed that with the Polosub suits my buoyancy changed a lot more with changes in depth. I guess the JMJ rubber didn't compresss as much.

 

[Shannon R]

Everything is possible. I inserted a 4cm - wide piece in the front of my wetsuit (nylon/opencell). Glued edge to edge and also slapped a patch on the inside for a good measure. Sewing is not required IF you have at least one open cell side. In your case just cut out a piece that looks like an orange peel segment and glue. You can use this for gluing - https://www.michaels.com/product/da...tact-cement-10658496?michaelsStore=7773&inv=4 - works as well as other contact cements

Quick question, is this what you would use to repair a fingernail rip in the open cell side? I accidentally already gouged my top under the hood while trying to get it off (very hard to 'doff' even though advertised as easy don and doff)....

 

[Bill McIntyre]

I'm not familiar with the one he recommended but this one works for me.

Amazon.com

 

[Shannon R]

I'm not familiar with the one he recommended but this one works for me.

Amazon.com

Thanks Bill!! I just found this too, after doing a web search..

Open Cell Wetsuit Glue Black 1.5oz

Open cell wetsuit neoprene repair glue black 1.5oz

spearfishing.store

Do most of the glues air out the toxic stench quickly or at some point? My main concern is using something that might linger a long time with noxious odors, esp. close to the face as its on my hood...

 

[Bill McIntyre]

I'm sure that one works but I prefer one that applies with a brush. Squeezing it out of a tube its hard to be accurate. They odor goes away fast for me, but then I don't think I'm as sensitive as you are.

 

[vrokhlenko]

Quick question, is this what you would use to repair a fingernail rip in the open cell side? I accidentally already gouged my top under the hood while trying to get it off (very hard to 'doff' even though advertised as easy don and doff)....

Essentially ANY toluene-based contact cement would work. The link I provided is the absolute cheapest product in the USA I could find. It is not black but amber in color. If you have a problem with that - get an overpriced "neoprene Glue" from McNett, Black Witch, etc. I experimented with many, including some Italian stuff that the wetsuit manufacturer sent me. Do not use rubber cement, shoe glue or similar - they are too hard when cured and after a while the glue-up would fail.

 

[7BDiver]

I like using the Aquaseal Neo for quick minute fixes in the field, it holds great long term, and super easy to use. If you want something that leaves a really nice finish and will be more flexible go with the Aquaseal +FD (8 hour cure). I have not played with too many other brands but I imagine they all have rather different cure times. The Aquaseal Neo is invaluable for large tears where you may not have a practical means to hold the split together, just work the glue into the surfaces, blow on it a little and shove it together. If you mess it up, add more glue to the seam as the solvent can open the new bond again and give it another go. The Neo stuff is fairly thin and runny like light pancake syrup but easy to clean up. The +FD is much thicker and will not run, very sticky. The +FD brand will stick to smooth skin surfaces very well, the Neo brand needs a more porous surface and will peel off a smooth skin surface but hold in tears very well.

 

[Shannon R]

I'm not familiar with the one he recommended but this one works for me.

Amazon.com

Okay thanks Bill!!

 

[Shannon R]

I like using the Aquaseal Neo for quick minute fixes in the field, it holds great long term, and super easy to use. If you want something that leaves a really nice finish and will be more flexible go with the Aquaseal +FD (8 hour cure). I have not played with too many other brands but I imagine they all have rather different cure times. The Aquaseal Neo is invaluable for large tears where you may not have a practical means to hold the split together, just work the glue into the surfaces, blow on it a little and shove it together. If you mess it up, add more glue to the seam as the solvent can open the new bond again and give it another go. The Neo stuff is fairly thin and runny like light pancake syrup but easy to clean up. The +FD is much thicker and will not run, very sticky. The +FD brand will stick to smooth skin surfaces very well, the Neo brand needs a more porous surface and will peel off a smooth skin surface but hold in tears very well.

Thank you!