how to repair neoprene wet suit ?

[Mario]

Hello,

Please give me your advise on how to repair wet suit cuts and wet suit
sewing pieces separated ?

Is there a special glue ? what is it called and where can I get it ?

Any special neoprene patches adhesive that I can buy ? what are they
called and where can I find them ?

What about the sewing, what type of string is used ? what is it called
and where can I buy it ?

Thanks so much for all your advice.

Thanks,

Mario

[Chris Guynn]

Post by Mario
Hello,
Please give me your advise on how to repair wet suit cuts and wet suit
sewing pieces separated ?
Is there a special glue ? what is it called and where can I get it ?
Any special neoprene patches adhesive that I can buy ? what are they
called and where can I find them ?
What about the sewing, what type of string is used ? what is it called
and where can I buy it ?

I haven't actually done this myself, but from what I understand, just about
any thread will do. If you use an elastic (stretchable) thread, then you
can make the stitches a little smaller. If you use a normal thread, then
the recommendations are for large, zigzag style stitches. I hope that
helps.

Post by Mario
Thanks so much for all your advice.
Thanks,
Mario

[David Walker]

Post by Mario
What about the sewing, what type of string is used ? what is it called
and where can I buy it ?

I had to fix some neoprene gloves where the palm section had started to pull
away from the rest of the glove - I assumed that normal cotton thread
wouldn't be much good, since its not very strong and I didn't think it would
last well being exposed to salty water for long periods. I got something
(not sure what it is - its very strong, with a waxy type coating) from my
grandma - you must have someone you know who sews occasionally who'll have a
big pile of thread.
Mine has lasted so far, and seem to be holding it together well, but then it
hasn't been used all that much yet.

I think Aquasure is supposed to work well on neoprene too, but it'll
probably only work well if its quite a small split that you're fixing.

David

[Simon Nash]

Mario
Aquasure or Black Witch neoprene glue from local dive shop. I have used
both to repair suits with splits up to 10cm.

I have found Black Witch is good for mending tears whilst Aquasure is great
for meding gaps eg holes at the end of glove fingers. Just put some selotape
on the inside of the hole and then cover with Aquasmeg and when it is dry,
remove the selotape. Extends the life of the gloves by another year.

Snash


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[Jessie]

Any dive shop will most likely sell neoprene glue. It is stronger than
stitching, and easy to use. You just brush it on both sides, let it dry
until barely tacky, then press together. Stitching tends to leave holes that
can pull out & weaken material unnecessarily, but neoprene glue repairs will
often outlast the original material if done carefully.
Jessie

Post by Mario
Hello,
Please give me your advise on how to repair wet suit cuts and wet suit
sewing pieces separated ?
Is there a special glue ? what is it called and where can I get it ?
Any special neoprene patches adhesive that I can buy ? what are they
called and where can I find them ?
What about the sewing, what type of string is used ? what is it called
and where can I buy it ?
Thanks so much for all your advice.
Thanks,
Mario

Mario
Aquasure or Black Witch neoprene glue from local dive shop. I have used
both to repair suits with splits up to 10cm.
Andy

[Hywel & Ros]

Based on many years' experience of mending caving wetsuits, which used to
take a real hammering, your main problem is that most diving wetsuits are
double-lined ie there is lining on the outside as well. Neoprene sticks very
well, but the cloth doesn't. For single-lined ie smooth rubber on the
outside you just whack on a big patch of single-lined - lining side out, and
Bob's your uncle. For double lined, a suggestion would be to cut out a clean
hole, then glue in a piece to fit. I do recall trimming off an inch or two
of the surface lining with a scalpel then whacking on a big patch but this
is a bit tedious albeit better. You could sew as well if you can be arsed,
but for caving it was only worthwhile for high-stress patches such as knees.
I doubt this would be worth the bother for diving. We used to find our
patches in caves as they fall off other caver's suits, but you can buy
neoprene sheet from a shop.

The above approach assumes you're not too precious about the overall
appearance.

For adhesive, my best results was some kind of industrial solvent stuff with
rubber dissolved in it - no label, nor brand name; probably now banned. Evo
stick works OKish but is a glue, rather than solvent-based so doesn't
physically weld the material. Presumably whatever the dive shop sells would
have to do if you don't have a bottle of toluene (guessing as to contents of
glue) or similar.

Caving has largely moved on from wetsuits and I can afford a decent quality
one for those few trips that involve a swim, so the tedium of repairing crap
suits after every trip is now just a memory.

Cheers

Hywel