wetsuit repair

[JimGlynn]

Hi all-
What do you recommend for repairing small nicks in the rubber from fingernails, rocks,etc? None of the rips have come through completely, but I would like to take care of them before they do. Thanks.
Jim

 

[scott]

not exactly the same problem

Jim,

Two weeks ago the seam at the bottom of the zipper ripped out from my shorty wetsuit. I thought it was time to buy a new suit but I decided to try "Aquaseal" - $6 from a local dive shop. I thought the glue would never hold at this high stress point on the suit. However, after drying overnight, it held solid and worked great this past weekend. Time will tell how long it will last, but I'm certainly pleased now.

Try throwing a little of the glue in your knicks and see if that strengthens them from getting any worse.

Scott

 

[Peter]

Repair of Wetsuit

Hi Jim!
Just glue it by good glue for neoprene like RIGO. If it's a part of suit in the 'tension' area like elbows, knee or pelvis use neoprene patch (you can by it any windsurfing shop), put cross bands is OK. Carefully hammer through soft textile revering area to make it softer.
Use ONLY glue for neoprene!!! NEVER use gasoline or anything that can dissolve the neoprene layer to remove fat or we damage your wetsuit forever!!! Using not-neoprene glues like German 'Momentum' (Russian or Polish 'Moment') will make a big trouble by dissolving the area of repairing.
For big damages you can use threes but carefully! Don't use force or the neoprene will be damaged!
Always use a patch if a seam (stitch) is damaged!!

Safe diving,
Peter

 

[icarus pacific]

Aquaseal?? NOOOOO!!!!!

Jim, I hope this catches you before you trash your suit with the Aquaseal... Don't use the Aquaseal on areas that are in areas that need to stretch, like knees and elbows, etc. The stuff dries too hard and will only glue the areas directly around it, pretty much isolating the repair area from the surrounding fabric, like a hard spot. Next thing you know, you'll be fixing the areas adjacent to the repairs... Use a good quality, fresh neoprene cement on the suit and save the Aquaseal for the tears on the fingertips and the soles of the boots.

sven