…Hello,
today Id got a very good surfing session, but unfortunately, I hit a big rock, and cut my new 4/3…
so , here I am with 2 cuts in the suit (1" each), yeah, tiny, but its the second day that I use it…and in several months those cuts will be bigger…lucky that save the bonzer…
I need opinions about options…
many years ago, we glue those cuts with a 3M engine gasket adhesive…but may be now you ve got better opinions…
thanks
I’ve used this with good results
On my old wetsuit, I just sew it with nylon thread, and use aquaseal to hold it together. The stitching will rip out if not aquasealed. . . sometimes if you’re near the brand outlet, they’ll take the suit and repair it but it’ll be weeks before you get it back. Caveat, it depends is the brand is cool . . . xcel will take thrashed suits and repair them (they probably give you leftover stock from that year). . .
I use a neoprene glue called Neo Rez that dries a lot softer than Aquaseal. For bad tears, soak a piece of t-shirt in Neo Rez and put a bead in the split too. Then wax paper both sides and clamp it between two flat pieces of wood overnight. Your wetsuit has to be completely dry first…
…neo rez…I never heard before.
yes I want the softer dry possible…
most are like epoxi derivatives or something, that dry not too softly…
i just repaired a large split seam (8") in my wetsuit. i sewed it together then used a thin
coat of aquaseal on both sides. letting each side dry overnight. i think it’s better than
new even if it is a little ugly… one thing to remember with the aquaseal is to use less
than you think you need. it will coat and seal really well
contact cement…stays rubbery
i fixed my cuts by sewing them with fishing line and then use aquaseal to seal it
Like the man said, contact cement. The aquaglop makes a hard, non-bending place in your suit, like a shoe sole. Contact cement is basicly like wetsuit cement without the carbon black plasticiser/dye
I have successfully fixed even superstretchy suits, the no-zip flavor, with contact cement. I avoid stitching if I can avoid it. If you don’t use a very smooth thread ( like monofilament) it tends to chew into the rubber.
Fix the cuts ASAP - they only get worse. Like they say, a stitch in time…or a dab of contact cement…
hope that’s of use
doc…
…Doc, I had better results (in the past) like I posted before, with 3M engine gasket adhesive…its better than simple contact cement …
…seems that are only a few options…
thanks
Bostik 2402 two part adhesive used for repairing divesuits and hypalon boats (RIB) is the only one I’ve found to edge glue thin neoprene without loss of flexability. This is important otherwise the neoprene wears very quickly at the transition of flexible to non flexible. Also remains flexible and so also comfortable. Mended thin 2mm glideskin neck on hooded suit by edge gluing and reinforcing with thin band stretchy cloth. Comfortable and lasted the season intact even though on superstretchy neoprene and high ‘tug’ area under chin on neck.
Got mine from a dive shop but also seen it for sale at chandlers .
http://www.wet-windy.co.uk/acatalog/Drysuit_Repair_Seals_Glue_Tape.html
Thanks, Reverb, I’ll have to give some of that stuff a try. How’s the shelf life of it - that is, will an opened container go bad fast ( like wetsuit cement) or will it last a while?
Thanks again
doc…
I take mine to most any Shoe repair shop, They will glue it then patch if needed, I’ve had very good luck but sometimes there a little confused so you need to explain what ya need, Next day pick to.
Jim
…Doc, will it last. Have the precaution after use it, of let an excess hard in the very tip, so you ll keep the interior “wet”…
…3M diesel engine gasket sealant…
Here’s some stuff that works good. Just shake, apply a coat on each edge, wait 5 minutes, coat again, wait 10 minutes and stick together.
Why not good old “nepren(sp?) cement?”
Thanks - my problem with neoprene cements/glues has always been that once you open the container, it seems like you have a month to use it all before it hardens to a block of rubber. And it’s no better than contact cement at sticking stuff together.
The advantage of contact cement is that it is cheap and available everywhere. In fact, there is some ( if I remember right, it’s Elephant brand, which I found in Central America ) that is amazing stuff -
I’ll give the 3M a try -
Best regards
doc…