However, if only the zip slider breaks, just the slider can be replaced. Avoid tearing the rubber; Apply one last neoprene cement layer over the sewn area for extra strength. Lauren Collison For the weekend warrior, the GBS is the best option because the seal is great, the stretch is immense and the price is agreeable. Ensure that you keep the tags on and keep hold of the packaging until you decide you definitely want to keep your wetsuit. Required fields are marked *. Small holes and tears (less than 1/2) in the nylon laminates can be repaired similarly. The variation between neoprene types has an affect on everything but in terms of warmththere is little difference fora given thickness. If you notice any areas where it is still open and exposed, reapply more of the cement.. As soon as we receive your returned wetsuit, we will contact you by email to let you know your refund or exchange has been processed. Here's what you should do: // = 960) { Wetsuit Temperature Guide - make sure you get the right suit, Removing Poor Ding-All Ding Repair Removal & Scuff Question, Flailing arms while trying to do turns / tips in general. Trying on Your Wetsuit for the First Time. So long as the damage is to the neoprene and doesnt go through to puncture the liner, a small tear (like a fingernail tear) can be treated with specially designed glues like Aqua Seal + Neo ($7.75, Gearaid.com). https://wetsuitwarehouse.com.au/collections/accessories/products/picasso-neprene-glue. A Flatlock stitch butts the two materials together and puts a mirrored stitch along both sides of the material, locking every loop [very durable, but minimal stretch capacity] This results in cold-water flushing every time you contort your body underwater because the body moves and contorts within the suit, creating low and hi pressure cavities. A slider that disconnects, as on all SRFACE wetsuits, makes your wetsuit last longer. We wear a wetsuit to keep warm and the seam contributes to warmth more than any other element. Note that after the repair, youll need to let the glue cure overnight before you hit the water. Open up the cut and apply a layer of glue on both sides of the neoprene, leave it to dry for about 10 minutes (unless indicated differently by the glue manufacturer) until the glue becomes tacky. Photos and video shot in our Brisbane Store. A wetsuit can sustain many types of damage over time, so the ways of repairing a wetsuit vary. The process of making a wetsuit involves stitching together different shaped pieces of neoprene. Reviewed: Synergy Endorphin Thermal Wetsuit. If you find your wetsuit zip feels like it is getting stiff, to avoid it breaking, you can use a zipper lubricant to protect your zip and ensure it lasts for years. Posted In: How-To A wetsuit's function is to keep you warm in the water, and there are a number of different methods used to ensure it's up to the task. If you do decide to take on the repair job yourself, always make sure the suit is completely dry before starting. sign up for Outside+. Share your SRFACE moments on Instagram and tag @srface. TY. These are formulated specifically for small wetsuit repairs in neoprene, along seams, and on smoothy-skin. Joining is quick and easy. If larger, consider using a scrap piece of neoprene as a patch! A suits ability to keep you warm is decided by the seamand a good seam can get you out in the water all year round and for longer sessions, thats why we wear a wetty, right? Its best to store the suit folded up with the chest areas flat. Sand and salt water can cause a wetsuit zipper to rebel, so keeping the suit clean is the first line of defense against a stuck zipper. We wouldnt send out, nor would most people accept a brand new 300 wetsuit with a deep crease across it. Please enter a valid email address. Wetsuit glue is affordable and its available in most surf shops or available online. A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world. You can check out our wetsuit accessory category which features highly rated wetsuit repair adhesives. This motion creates a big pocket of low pressure in your lumbar [next time youre in a suit arch your back and feel your lumbar] which in turn sucks water through the seams around your lumbar [and the zip, but well cover zips/enclosures later]. Its also a good idea to check with your wetsuit manufacturer to see if your suit is under warranty; many will work with loyal customers to repair or replace a damaged wetsuit for a low cost (some even fix suits for free). Read on to learn more about how to care for your wetsuit from long-term wetsuit care tips, trying it on and ensuring you get the perfect fit, returning your wetsuit if it doesnt fit and how to deal with warranty issues. Believe it or not, Estonia has the 30th longest coastline on the planet. This is a problem because now your wetsuit is full of cold water and now that this water is in direct contact with the skin it's going to wick heat away from your body 25x faster than air as a result, youll be shivering, bummed and keen to call quits on the session, which is crazy to me- why wear a wetsuit that isnt going to extend your surf. In that case, its best to call in the professionals. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. Double blindstitching can be used on thicker wetsuits, where a seam is blindstitched on one side, the again on the reverse side. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. I have a high quality 7 mil suit that I would like to get re-sized to fit my son who is in the Coast Guard in New Jersey. Dont use any other type of glue to repair a wetsuit cut. She learned to surf for the first time ever in Costa Rica but she gravitates more towards SUP. Increases the likelihood of chafing caused by a seam, Poorer fit, although this is becoming less and less a problem with new neoprene technology. document.write("
Your wetsuit is now ready to be placed back in the bag that it arrived in for returning to Boardshop. If you want your new wetsuit to last for as long as possible; we recommend following our wetsuit care tips below. Continue applying the wax regularly before each use, to keep your zipper moving smoothly. In the first case, you'll need to re-attach the neoprene panels. Wetsuit adhesives will take longer to dry (a few hours.) It only penetrates about 25 percent into the fabric of the neoprene; Add a glue-on seam tape to the inside of the wetsuit; Apply the neoprene cement to both sides of the seam; Carefully sew the damaged area. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Instead of telling you what seam is best, for surfing etc ,because it's not that simple, I'd like to run through the most important aspects of a seam and how each seam performs. We see lots of arms and legs of suits get torn up in the bike chains and pedals, says Suddarth. Its easy to point to the thickness of the neoprene as the defining factor in terms of warmth but neoprene is simply an insulator, to insulate effectively you need a sealed environment.. if you leave the windows open your heater isnt going to work, it's just going to blow hot air outside This very notion demonstrates the relationship between a wetsuits neoprene with its seam and that you don't necessarily need to go thicker if you're after more warmth. If you want to return your wetsuit you to us, you will need a returns number. Wetsuits - How they are made and how they work. As mentioned in the beginning paragraph, there's more to consider than the thickness of wetsuit choosing a wetsuit. They are then stitched on the inside, but the stitching does not go all the way through to the outside of the panels. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. You'll onlyneed wetsuit cement, glue-on seam tape, floss, and a needle. Neoprene glue is easy to use, but take your time to do it right and follow the manufacturers instructions. Some repairs are simply too big or too challenging a suit that gets tangled up with a bike chain In transition may have a long and jagged tear, for example, or a zipper that has completely come off the track. I do minor mends for a watersports centre. Would sewing then gluing those seams be functional? Overlock This method is the simplest way of stitching, and the least effective at keeping water out. }. If yourwetsuitgets damaged, then check if it is covered under warranty and get it repaired. Any ideas please? Do not rejoin the surfaces immediately while the glue is still fully wet. Seams are a common place for a wetsuit to eventually start wearing. We promise your board will arrive safely. Read more about wetsuit cut repairs here. Flatlock Flatlock stitching involves laying one panel edge over the other, then stitching though the neoprene. It will also peel away and will leave behind the sticky adhesive that will make putting on your wetsuit that much more difficult.. As you might expect, there's a little more involved in wetsuit construction than just a needle and thread, just in case you though you were ready to knock one up for the weekend session. ), The higher the quality and flexibility of neoprene something you want for maximum flexibility and range of motion the easier it is to nail poke. Will neoprene cement work on a damp Wetsuit? Do you have leads on products used for fully taped seals or liquid taped seams ? Keep your leashes and wetsuit bootstraps shut to avoid this. To keep the suit fresh and pliable (and hopefully avoid wetsuit repair), always rinse your suit in fresh water after a swim. Offset your old stick against a brand new board! Don't forget to take care of your wetsuit once you have made the purchase. It is not used on high-end wetsuits, and would only be found on summer wetsuit or cheaper wetsuits. This also avoids your shoulder from scraping over the slider when getting into your suit. Do you need to repair a wetsuit? Then, firmly press the cut together to create a butt joint.
And persistent. Sizing is one consideration, but what about the type of surfing wetsuit you'll need? I haven't use the suit since moving to South Florida and will most likely never dive cold water again. And, of course the wet suit rubber cement. Train smarter, race faster, and crush your tri goals. For basic cleaning needs, a mild detergent soap like Jaws Slosh Wetsuit Shampoo ($8.48, jawsproducts.com) should do the trick for removing salt residue and odors. We recommend using Aquaseal or a similar neoprene adhesive. They describe the same thing, although you would use flatlock when describing this type of stitching on a wetsuit. Thank about how heavy that neoprene is what happens to a sweater you hang on a hanger? Dimpling on the shoulders and thinning of the material is one issue that with no wetsuit repair solution you cant take in a suit like you would a shirt at the tailor. backzip wetsuits Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. I bought Aquaseal + Neo Contact Cement for Neoprene from Deals Only. Our definitive wetsuit buyers guide, which gives an overview of all considerations. Small shifts in the material make a big difference in how it fits, so handle carefully.. Can you hit it with a blow dryer or blow a box fan on it for a few hours? This also gives the neoprene a clean, low profile. We recommend either of these products to repair cracks in the seals: 1) https://www.wetsuitwearhouse.com/PROD/10114.html or 2) https://www.wetsuitwearhouse.com/PROD/1-0146.html. 
Thank you! Be careful with your wetsuit to keep it looking as good as new for as long as possible. If you're a lightweight summer surfer, this information is probably not that interesting, you should head straight for the board shorts page. Dont use hot water to rinse your suit as this can damage the neoprene and affect its flexibility. Tags: Repair. Be careful not to tug too hard on the arms or legs of thewetsuitwhen putting your wetsuit on. As soggy wetsuits can get pretty heavy, it is best to hang wetsuits in half through the middle of a hanger rather than from the neck to avoid them stretching out. -A clean, dry wetsuit. They can be ironed on with a normal iron, but always make sure you use wax paper or baking paper in between the iron and the wetsuit. JavaScript is disabled. Store your dry wetsuit hanging up on a wetsuit hanger or laid flat as this will prevent creases. Get a tube of black neoprene wetsuit glue online or at your local surf shop. Step 3: Please click the checkbox above to prove you are human. If you have some experience sewing, this should be possible. Warranty problems are deemed to be valid when any part of the suits suffer problems, i.e., if the seam fails, stitching comes undone, knee pad peels off, etc. We have the best wetsuit from the best surfing brands available. Stitching shouldnt be necessary in most cases. But are there any rideable swells in this Baltic Northern European nation? Should a tear or fingernail cut happen, repairing it yourself is a very simple five minute job. Because triathlon wetsuits are made with closed cell neoprene, its not going to hold the way it may in a surf or dive wetsuit. Ditto for duct tape: The tape is not flexible, it will restrict movement. Always repair wetsuit damage immediately, if you leave it, it might get worse and make your wetsuit harder or unable to repair. August 18, 2021. Hey, the left knee on my patagonia wetsuit has a small hole developing. Thanks and cheers! Did Orca Quietly Make The Safest Wetsuit Ever? The GBS is the most common of the seals and its the suit that your pros will use in contests: this is because theyre the most stretchy but dont have the durability to stand up to daily bashings from top-level surfers. document.write("
Maybe you have some useful links? The drawback to a flatlocked seam is that the process involved creates many holes, and is prone to high water penetration. Outer skin is still holding but tape and but joint has seperated??? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2022 Wetsuit Wearhouse All Rights Reserved. Don't forget that stitching punches tiny holes in the neoprene, which will cause small leaks. While we make every effort to ensure that our products use the toughest materials available, you should be aware that as a performance product, wetsuits are not bullet proof and small tears do occasionally occur. 
I have the same question as Joseph, CA: "Do you have leads on products used for fully taped seals or liquid taped seams ?". We need a decent ongoing quantity. I'd trying to retape all the fully taped seams of my hurley wetsuit. Be careful and take your time trying it on. If you have any questions regarding wetsuit care or if you want some help and advice choosing your new wetsuit, you can contact us via email atinfo@boardshop.co.ukor via phone on (+44)1243 674250. Pinch the two surfaces firmly together. Hey Lauren, the first day I went out with my wet suit I got a tear and I was wondering if I could just stitch it back together and then put cement on top or should I just put cement on top? 
