Author Topic: wetsuit seam repair  (Read 7523 times)

toolate

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wetsuit seam repair
« on: February 01, 2022, 04:20:29 PM »
Can wetsuits be stitched at a busted seem or do i need special glue?

surfcowboy

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Re: wetsuit seam repair
« Reply #1 on: February 01, 2022, 07:10:42 PM »
Aqua Seal is what you need. I patch mine all the time. Buy some 1mm neoprene if you can or use a fabric to glue over it and patch it. You can glue the seam edge to edge. Don't stitch it. Let's in water.

sflinux

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Re: wetsuit seam repair
« Reply #2 on: February 01, 2022, 08:12:04 PM »
Aqua seal works.  You can also use wetsuit seam tape which is iron-on, but adding a little bit of aquaseal helps.  For small tears or pin holes, I have used wetsuit neoprene cement.  Any wetsuit repair voids the warranty.
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surfcowboy

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Re: wetsuit seam repair
« Reply #3 on: February 01, 2022, 08:40:18 PM »
Good call on the seam tape.

Dontsink

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Re: wetsuit seam repair
« Reply #4 on: February 02, 2022, 02:46:34 AM »

Bean

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Re: wetsuit seam repair
« Reply #5 on: February 02, 2022, 06:38:57 AM »
I just fixed a fin-cut using Aquaseal FD.  They also make Aquaseal NEO contact cement specifically for neoprene but it is not as "permanent".

spindrift

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Re: wetsuit seam repair
« Reply #6 on: February 02, 2022, 05:28:40 PM »
Don't forget to put the Aqua Seal in the freezer when you're done.
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JBMaine

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Re: wetsuit seam repair
« Reply #7 on: February 04, 2022, 05:44:14 AM »
In the fall I repaired a 4/3 using patches I cut from an old dry bag glued down with e6000 adhesive. It seems to have worked well.

sflinux

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Re: wetsuit seam repair
« Reply #8 on: February 06, 2022, 04:45:07 PM »
Don't forget to put the Aqua Seal in the freezer when you're done.
I use to do this when I had access to a chemical freezer.  Now I clean the cap and threads good.  Wrap with tape.  Put in a ziplock bag.  Put in a plastic container.  Then put the plastic container in a glass jar closed tightly.  This seems to work.  The idea is to prevent evaporation of the toluene.  Toluene is not something that you want in a food freezer.
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toolate

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Re: wetsuit seam repair
« Reply #9 on: February 06, 2022, 07:15:57 PM »
thanks for all the ideas.

surfcowboy

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Re: wetsuit seam repair
« Reply #10 on: February 06, 2022, 08:43:47 PM »
Oh yeah, forgot to tell you. Do these repairs in a small, closed room. It makes you feel funny and may change your DNA. My third arm is stronger than ever these days.

oceanAddict

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Re: wetsuit seam repair
« Reply #11 on: February 17, 2022, 12:24:18 PM »
Not sure if it would be helpful for OP, but in general someone could use this info:

O'Neill takes their wetsuits for repair and does very good job. I had 2 ws repaired - they replaced torn panels and knee pads. You pay flat fee and shipping. Year or so ago the fee was $50. 
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toolate

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Re: wetsuit seam repair
« Reply #12 on: March 25, 2022, 05:34:24 PM »
thanks All.
Anyone ever modify a longie into a shortie?

spindrift

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Re: wetsuit seam repair
« Reply #13 on: March 25, 2022, 07:28:52 PM »
Don't forget to put the Aqua Seal in the freezer when you're done.
I use to do this when I had access to a chemical freezer.  Now I clean the cap and threads good.  Wrap with tape.  Put in a ziplock bag.  Put in a plastic container.  Then put the plastic container in a glass jar closed tightly.  This seems to work.  The idea is to prevent evaporation of the toluene.  Toluene is not something that you want in a food freezer.

Thanks for the heads-up on Toluene. I had no idea.
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Badger

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Re: wetsuit seam repair
« Reply #14 on: March 30, 2022, 04:24:54 AM »
I would think that the toluene would not be able to evaporate in a frozen state but putting it in a sealed container before freezing is not a bad idea.

I've had really good results using Amazing Goop to repair neoprene. I've tried Aquaseal and I'd say it's just as good.

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« Last Edit: March 30, 2022, 04:30:27 AM by Badger »
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