0000006791 00000 n 0000011396 00000 n This may be my own personal preference, but I prefer to squeeze a small amount of wetsuit cement onto a piece of cardboard or thick paper and use a small brush to apply the cement to to the wetsuit. It's great to reinforce the seems over the original stitchwork, just don't go to unnecessarily crazy on it. Thank you for taking the time to read through the post! As strong as neoprene is, being active out in the water means that eventually youll get a snag or a rip in your wetsuit, glove, gasket, or bootiesbut that doesnt mean you have to replace your gear. I literally sewed up two holes and went and reinforced the seems. Typically, the damage isnt all the way through. You can easily purchase it from us,here. If you want to know more about our story, scroll down and click on ABOUT SURFERS FOOTPRINT at the bottom of the HomePage. 0000002850 00000 n Many surfers have damaged their wetsuits doing the following activities; taking it off/on, improper storage, falling on the trail to the beach or animal encounters. After years of loving use, your suit may start to unravel or rip, which can blow a huge hole in your adventuring routine. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'surfersfootprint_com-banner-1','ezslot_9',109,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-surfersfootprint_com-banner-1-0')}; It is important to note that not all damage occurs in the ocean when you are surfing. We've found the easiest way to do this is to use a clothespin or small clamp so that you don't have to stand there holding your wetsuit for 5 minutes. I will usually place a small piece of wood inside my wetsuit so that any extra wetsuit cement doesnt stick to the inside of my wetsuit. I will usually place a small piece of wood inside my wetsuit beneath the repair to provide a solid backing for the iron and so that any extra wetsuit cement doesnt stick to the inside of my wetsuit. The next most common are small tears at the seams of the suit. Line up the edges of the cut to make sure they will create a uniform bond. For small fingernail nicks or other tiny repairs, a paperclip can be helpful to spread the glue and avoid a mess. Use the applicator brush to apply the first coat of wetsuit cement thinly and evenly on both edges of the two seams. By allowing the wetsuit cement to fully cure, your repairs will hold together over the long term! *The Aquaseal creates a solid bond that will not pull apart even when the neoprene is stretched out, such as when you're putting on your wetsuit. Let it cool down for 30 minutes to create a strong bond before you move your wetsuit. My double-threaded needle and fishing line. Allow the new layer of glue to dry completely. Line up the edges of the seams to make sure they will create a uniform bond. Always first consider getting it repaired professionally or drop in at a local free (or cheap) wetsuit repair day. Make sure to follow the manufacturers recommendations. This will also lengthen the life of your zipper. Read on to find out how you can get back out in the water as soon as possible. Contrary to what you would think, the smaller the needle, the higher the number it measures in. As well, consider doing this outside, away from direct sunlight or in a well ventilated area. 0000177528 00000 n Step 3:Keeping the tear open, allow the glue to dry for 5 minutes. They can help you find the right setup to fit your needs. If you're like me, you probably try to get your wetsuit to live for as long as it can if you're a surfer, diver, triathlete, etc. When I first started, I would apply way more cement than necessary. Don't pee in your wetsuit (you know this!). Inspect your wetsuit for rips and tears after each use. Place the heat shielding paper over the patch and press down on the iron and hold. The thicker the hanger the better. Wetsuits are one of the most important pieces of surfing equipment. 0000731045 00000 n I was super excited, and I wanted to be the first person in our group to get to the beach, so I set off running across the parking lot. xb`````g`cj*f`@ V(GG0` `6M_MVny4444&4l ,AA@8Lk ;~& |"@ O'16H0033CF For larger cuts/tears, proceed to the next step to find out how to install wetsuit patch for added strength. Basically, anything that you would use for trout fishing on a reel will do. Step 2:Apply a thin, even layer of Aquaseal glue to both surfaces. Do not rejoin the surfaces while the glue is still wet or tacky. As I was passing by, it lunged towards me. Never hang your wetsuit to dry in the heat or direct sun. Sun and UV rays cause neoprene wetsuits to age quickly. Surfing & Skateboarding: 10 Reasons Why You Will Get Better. 0000012514 00000 n * For small cuts/rips, you may not need to proceed any further in this step-by-step instruction guide. I always thought bigger/thicker fishing line was better, but I realized that smaller/thinner fishing line is best since fishing line is pretty indestructible unless cut. About Neoprene Wetsuit Cement and Neoprene Repair Patch. NEVER hang on a wire hanger as the metal will cause the neoprene to stiffen, crack, and degrade along the shoulders. There are also wetsuit repair kits available that contain everything you will need. I let out a howl and the dog let go. 0000007998 00000 n Tie an overhand knot in the line leaving about half an inch of "tail" that you can trim off afterwards. Apply the Aquaseal NEO onto both sides of the tear. They come in sizes 112. 0000011423 00000 n Do NOT dry in the sun. Dive the needle into the neoprene. Once the adhesive has completely cured (this should take 12-24 hours), remove the tape and use gear as you normally would. Special wetsuit shampoos and conditioners are available, such as PISS OFF, Sink the Stink, and. Clean and dry your suit before you begin. 251 0 obj <> endobj xref 251 60 0000000016 00000 n 0000012925 00000 n Surf wax on your neoprene wetsuit - Dont worry about it. Layne learned to surf in Santa Barbara and later moved to Southern California. Hope you are doing well. Even if your suit is in nice condition, you still will want to consider purchasing a wetsuit adhesive like seal cement. (You can always add additional coats if needed). Apply a second coat of the adhesive and let dry for 10 minutes. It can take a while to find them on a black wetsuit.). We fish for stream trout in my family, and so I literally pulled whatever line we had off a random real. UV rays can damage the neoprene, shortening the overall lifespan of the wetsuit. We will be using an Iron on Wetsuit Patch on the inside of the wetsuit to add strength and rebuild the interior backing which will provide additional strength. 0000243083 00000 n Let it dry for 30 minutes. Here's what to do: It's been raining in the north of the state and the water quality is lousy anyways, so I decided rather than going and purchasing a repair kit (which you can do), to use a technique I've used before. When the waves are flat, surfers have always turned to skateboarding as a means of practicing their skills on land. When youve got a rip, tear, or an unraveling seam on your wetsuit in high-stress areas like the knees, elbows, underarm, and around the zipper, give it a strong and flexible repair using an iron-on neoprene patch. Wetsuits will stretch to fit the wearer, and your friend's body is most likely not exactly the same as yours. Wetsuits will also slowly deteriorate over time and seams will separate or holes will develop. Locate all rips in your wetsuit, gloves, booties, etc. Urine is a particularly hard smell to remove. For lasting repairs, place the wetsuit on a flat surface so the seams arent under any tension and leave it to dry for 8-12 hours. To avoid this, place a towel or board bag over the rough surface. Assess the damaged area. When I first started, I would squeeze wetsuit cement straight from the tube onto the damaged area but it was messy and hard to control the amount that came out. After washing and rinsing your wetsuit, turn it inside-out to help retain the flexibility on the outside of the wetsuit. 0000546554 00000 n 0000008589 00000 n The first step to taking care of your wetsuit is knowing how to avoid things that can damage it. Once you get to the other end of the hole that you are fixing, cast a stitch without tightening the loop and pass the needle through it, pinching it tight. Avoid putting petroleum jelly on your suit; it makes it slippery and the jelly is hard to remove. Prolonging the life of your wetsuits zipper - Use beeswax or a zipper lubricant to keep them from snagging and tearing your suit. This content is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional. Dry both sides of your wetsuit (inside and out). 0000007141 00000 n In order to repair a tear or nick you will needneoprene cement glue. 0000011264 00000 n I would never have thought of your method with fishing line. Rotate the iron and repeat until secure, letting it cool a few minutes before you test it out. I was so choked. In this Step-by-Step instructional guide, I will be usingAQUASEAL Neoprene Cement. HTVK6@+)Q fd_I*4VYD3,4~{so=>RYLqy*?J*i,?|G\UcHjnwIQ6I|4. Some people use floss, some people buy fancy repair kits like iron-on neoprene kits . But the damage was done. If you are sewing along a seem, you will want to plunge all the way through the neoprene and wrap around the original stitching as if sewing in a "looped" pattern. If it is a nick or tear that does not go completely through the neoprene and liner you can carefully fill the nick area with glue. link to Surfing & Skateboarding: 10 Reasons Why You Will Get Better. 0000545366 00000 n I will be following the manufacturers directions on the back of the tube. If your hole is larger than a pinhole, youll first need to create a backing with removable tape. A few days later, after I got over the disappointment, I was forced to buy some wetsuit cement and teach myself how to repair the damage. Hot water can ruin neoprene, causing it to lose some of its flexibility. Step 1:Fold the wetsuit over at the point of thetear so that it opens up to reveal the insides of the two surfaces that need to be glued back together. See our How to Put on a Wetsuit Guide for more info on safely putting on and taking off your wetsuit. Always rinse your suit out with fresh watersalt water will damage a suit overtime and cause it to stink. hand-sewing needle (small eye, sharp point); see below for selecting a size, 4-pound test fishing line (about 2 feet per hole, we will double it up); see below for an explanation of "test" or strength. 0000011728 00000 n Let the suit sit flat with the edges of the tear touching. Please use your own judgement on your repair if you need one or two coats of glue. Use your fingers to hold the edges of the repair together for 60-90 seconds. If repairing a small nick, the tip of the Aquaseal tube may be too wide to get aclean application of glue. 0000018450 00000 n Should a tear or fingernail cut occur, then repairing it yourself is a very simple job. Cut the patch slightly larger than the damaged area so that the patch material can overlap the hole and bond to the surrounding wetsuit material. By allowing the wetsuit cement and iron on patch to fully cure, your repairs will hold together over the long term! Note: Your fishing line should appear larger than the needle diameter/eye of the needle. Seriously, they have great customer care. Turn your wetsuit inside out and put the small piece of wood inside your wetsuit beneath the repair to provide a solid backing for the pressure of the iron. 0000606195 00000 n 0000605007 00000 n Don't use your fingernails when you are putting on your suit and keep your nails short (this will case punctures in the neoprene or material). Flip it inside out and hang dry the other side. I would always end up squeezing out more cement than necessary and the cement would get all over my hands and other areas of the wetsuit, which wasnt good. We also find that it can be useful to use the paperclip to apply a thin seal along the seam of the repaired tear. 0000474378 00000 n This site is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Small holes or abrasion damage can occur to the outer layer of your wetsuit. If the tear is larger than 0.5-1" you may also want a small brush (such as an artists painting brush) or a spatula (which can simply be a thin piece of plastic or card). . Wetsuits in use are constantly being cooled by the water surrounding them, minimizing sun damage to the neoprene. Some wetsuit companies won't cover improper caresuch as fingernail tears. Most people skip this step. We've found that for smaller nicks this second coat isn't always needed. 0000027681 00000 n As well, consider doing this outside, away from direct sunlight and in a well ventilated area. 0000244271 00000 n The Aquaseal creates a solid bond that will not pull apart even when the neoprene is stretched out, such as when you're putting on your wetsuit. Once it appears dry, check it by gently touching the glue surface. I was so mad. Surfers come in all shapes and sizes and no matter who you are or what your size, there is a surfboard and a wave for you. Unfortunately this means that they aremore susceptible to damage thanyouraverage surfing ordive wetsuit. Make sure to follow the manufacturers recommendations. link to Surfing Weight Limits: How Important is the Surfers Weight. 0000010336 00000 n You will want to cut a patch slightly larger than the damaged area. As I was turning in the air, I felt the dogs teeth sink into my right butt cheek. Use your fingers to hold the edges of the repair together for 60-90 seconds. Fix it instead with Aquaseal NEO, a neoprene cement that will give you a flexible, elastic repair within half an hour. 0000007747 00000 n Or, if you prefer to travel on your own, check out our ski & snowboard resort travel guides, and mountain bike trail guides. Remove whatever was holding the two sides of the cut apart, line up the two edges and press them together. Thread your fishing line (go with 2 feet per hole; too much length will get tangled) into the eye of the needle and double it back so that the ends meet. Still have questions? I believe it was 4-pound test. J3`1(`tX1%K%_-, Lay the wetsuit patch on the damaged area and cover with a the IRON MEND heat shielding paper (you can also use a cotton cloth). Cut your Tenacious Tape Iron-On Neoprene Patch to size over the torn or damaged area. I've used this method on two suits when they were at the end of their days. Please read our Privacy Policy. All you need is a few minutes and some simple tools like patches, cements, and adhesives. As we make every effort to ensure that our products use the highest quality materials and craftsmanship available, you too shoulduse the utmost care with your wetsuit to avoid accidental damage. Well, the process worked great for me. Use the applicator brush and apply the second coat of wetsuit cement thinly and evenly on both edges of the two seams. Use the applicator stick and apply the second coat of wetsuit cement thinly and evenly on both sides of the cut. If you have a Patagonia suit, just walk it into the store. Don't hang your wetsuit to dry by the shoulders. Still, no matter if your wetsuit is a thin, triathlon suit or an ultra-thick, cold water surf and diver suit, its easier than you think to repair it yourself. My suit was so old I had nothing to lose. Keep the cut open for this step and let the first coat of wetsuit cement dry for 5 minutes. Apply the second coat in the same manner and allow to dry for 10 minutes. When dry, it will feel only slightly tacky and will not stick to your finger. it all depends on how old your suit is and where the hole is. The second coat will likely create a stronger bond. During the making of the wetsuit, seams are joined several different ways: sewing/stitching, gluing, taping or a combination. Assess the damaged area. If you cut too close to the knot and then tension pulls on the stitching, you will lose your knot. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Wetsuits provide warmth and comfort for surfers in the ocean. Damage while not in use could mean a lot of different things and you would be surprised by all the ways that wetsuits are cut or torn when not in use. Tip: Trydrying your wetsuit in a shower stall. I recognized that its open mouth and exposed teeth were propelling towards me and I wanted to avoid any contact. Estimated Repair Time: 5 Minutes for prep and 8-12 hours to fully cure. 2001-2022 evo - All rights reserved, all wrongs reversed |, Wetsuits - Thickness Guide & Temperature Chart. Please give our customer care team a call at 866-386-1590, Customer Care Hours. I will usually place my wetsuit on a flat surface like a table (or the ground) and fold it over an object and use some weights (dumbells) or rocks to hold it in place. Do not go crazy, just trim any small hanging bits of material. Here is how you should use fishing line to repair your wetsuit. This may take 12-24 hours depending on the temperature. (Similar to what you did at the start to secure the first knot.). It's fairly easy to accidentally rip the neoprene when getting into and out of the suit. Tears from stress along the seems may very well be covered. The Aquaseal cement comes in an easy to use tube that you can apply directly to the damaged area. It even works on spandex and Lycra fabric. We recommendAquaseal NeoNeoprene Cement. 0000294702 00000 n Did this method work for you? 0000002161 00000 n Chlorinated water or salt water will break down the neoprene. It seemed strange and weirdly interested in me. How to Waterproof Leather and Suede Boots, How to Patch an Air Mattress and Sleeping Pad, How to Remove Mold, Mildew and Tent Odors, Add Reflective Tape to Running & Biking Gear, How to Patch Pants: Tips from the SectionHiker, How to Camouflage a Rifle with Camo Form Fabric Wrap, How to Repair Cracks and Leaks in Rubber Boots, How to Wash and Restore GORE-TEX Products. 0000347469 00000 n Locate the hole and start at one end. As an added bonus if the wetsuit is dried inside out then you will always crawl into the drier side. You can also buy a puncture repair kit from any bike store (the glue used to fix a bike tire inner tube is basically the same). The dark/black side of the neoprene (not the inside) should be exposed. Surf wax will inevitably stick to your wetsuit; there is no simple way to remove it and more will just get stuck in its place. NEVER USE A WASHING MACHINE, DRYER, OR DRY CLEANER! Step 4:Flatten out the suit so that the two surfaces come together. Dont be discouraged if you repair fails, just clean & dry your wetsuit and fix it again. Follow these steps to repair your wetsuit. Purchase a suit with a great warranty (Patagonia, etc.). At Surfers Footprint, I hope to share all the tips, tricks and mistakes I have found along the way. These are usually the result of pulling too hard when putting the suit on or by catching or pinching theseam of the wetsuit with your nails.
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