Related: Lay the wetsuit on a flat surface. Turn your suit inside out and find the tear and make sure you can access it easily. For a fix thats going to last, cut a piece of neoprene from an old wetsuit and make sure its big enough to cover the entire lesion with an inch to spare on all sides. Turn your wetsuit inside out. or chalk it up to another expense of doing an IM and buy a Get a tube of black neoprene wetsuit glue online or at your local surf shop. Hold for a further two minutes under pressure. We then take it over to the heat press where we tape both the front and the back for strength and durability. Place the patch panel underneath the oval hole you just cut, and trace the oval onto the patch panel. Put a thin coat of cement on your neoprene wetsuit tape and a thin layer of cement on the inside of the wetsuit along the length of the repaired tear. Squeezing it out of the tube its stickier than I thought, and I used a bunch of toothpicks to spread it sparingly along both sides of the tear in the wetsuit. Cut your Tenacious Tape Iron-On Neoprene Patch to size over the torn or damaged area. You have two options to repair a wetsuit: You can bring your wetsuit to a professional. We aim to sustainably bring the power of sport to everyone, everywhere. I recommend using at least 3 coats of cement, because the neoprene soaks up a lot of it. Heres how to perform this simple repair: Clean and dry your suit before you begin. Apply wetsuit cement to both edges of the cut. Around July of 2007, I noticed that my 3-year-old wetsuit had developed a small tear at the bottom edge of one of the legs. Wetsuit tear repair. Repairing a wetsuit seam or tear is actually a really simple job. In fact, the whole process only takes a few minutes. Considering that wetsuit repair kits only cost between $15-25, it makes sense to fix a hole rather than spend hundreds of dollars on a new suit. 1. I have learned that wetsuit glue is extremely sticky. Shake the bottle well to combine the solution. Bigger wetsuit damages and repair (> 2 inches) Heres what you have to do; use a patch of neoprene. It will cost you about 50 and take few days. The drying process will again depend on the glue manufacturer. Wait another five minutes. If the rip is long, fix it in 2 or 3 sections. In this example we used cut offs from old suits and cut strips to match the length of the rip. Let it dry for 10 min. To fix this large tear, the first thing we do is join the raw edges together with neoprene cement. Place the heat shielding paper over the patch and press down on the iron and hold. 2 More Ways to Fix Wetsuit Holes, Rips and Tears: Alternatively, you can use a Neoprene Queen neoprene patch kit. Use the small brush to gently apply the neoprene cement to both sides of the tear. It is also suitable for large area rubber sheeting applications, bumpers and more. The neoprene will actually act like a sponge, and soak up a lot of the cement. XTERRA Wetsuits demonstrates how to repair stress tears in only a few minutes. Mixing Cure Accelerator with Aquaseal speeds up the cure time. Continue to hold the cut open while the glue begins to cure. After a day or so of drying time you can get back to swimming fast. Fixing Tears in a Drysuit 1 Rubbing alcohol 2 Neoprene material for a patch 3 Repair adhesive 4 Small brush 5 Spray bottle 6 Dish soap More Repair large wetsuit rips and tears: Step 1: Before you apply the glue make sure the wetsuit is dry and sand free. Related: Gear Aid Aquaseal+NEO Contact Cement works great for mending rips and tears in your neoprene gear. Apply a layer of glue on the edge of the patch panel and on the hole of the wetsuit. Dive Hacks: How to Repair a Wetsuit Tear. Pre-heat iron to medium heat. Now I didn't know this until I needed to fix it, but there's a simple solution for repairing a wetsuit. Clean and dry your wetsuit. What You Need. Lovers of triathlons or open water sports are well aware of the importance of taking care of their ally: the neoprene. Open the cut of the wetsuit, make sure it is completely clean and dry. All you need is a paper clip and a tube of wetsuit glue. Place the heat shielding paper over the patch and press down on the iron and hold. Option 3: repair a crack on a seam yourself. Our Mission. After five minutes, apply another layer of neoprene glue to the tear. All you need is a paper clip and a tube of wetsuit glue. Wetsuit Repair - Large Tear Wetsuits. Or you can repair it yourself in 5 minutes and save over 40. If they're out, wetsuit neoprene tape will also work. Use less glue on either edge of the tear than you think to avoid the glue from seeping out onto the surface of the wetsuit. Option 1: the gluing neoprene yourself. Option 1: the gluing neoprene yourself. A torn seam repair is quick and easy: Option 2: wetsuit repair by a company that specializes in this. Back in action and ready for another set. Paint the cement onto each edge of the ripped neoprene, and press the edges together for a few minutes. Report. Hold it open when the glue dries (a bull clip or clothes peg will save you holding it) and then press the two sides together. If there is still some moisture in it wetsuit repairs will not be as strong and hold up very well. Also, if your safety glasses start to leak, you can buy a new one. How to repair a hole in a torn wetsuit You will need a strip of neoprene a little bit longer than the tear between 1mm and 3mm thick. Use this guide to fix a hole in your suit. Make sure your wetsuit is inside out. March 9, 2008 / by Steve / Make A Comment / Filed under Equipment & Gear. A simple step by step guide to repair minor cuts in your wetsuit is as follows: How-to Repair a Cut in Your Wetsuit. Glue the neoprene patch to the hole as previously instructed. Use a form of weight to press down over the suit to reinforce the glue as it dries. Each time you use your wetsuit, inspect it for any rips or tears after you take it off. Step three. Cut your Tenacious Tape Iron-On Neoprene Patch to size over the torn or damaged area. How to repair a wetsuit 1. Small tears (around 1-2 inches long) can be easily repaired at home. Sorry a search did not give me an answer Finished IMLP sunday!!!!! Open up the rip to reveal both sides of the tear. While applying, keep the two sides away from each other. Gently pinch open the tear in the wetsuit to expose both surfaces. If your tape is one inch wide have the neoprene cement cover a little wider than that to make sure the tape will get a good bond when you apply your tape to the inside of the tear. Step 2: Place the wetsuit on a flat surface. You only need 3 items to complete this job: - Neoprene glue - Cotton bud/matchstick - Tissue This is a great repair job to do as the triathlon season draws to a close to make sure your kit is in the best possible condition when you brush the dust off next season! Clean the area around the rip with alcohol. March 9, 2008 / by Steve / Make A Comment / Filed under Equipment & Gear. This is different than a wetsuit seam repair. 2 REVEAL THE TWO SURFACES. 2. Wetsuit Repair: A Large Tear If the damage to the suit goes all the way through to the liner, glue wont be enough to mend the rip. Heres how to perform this simple repair: Clean and dry your suit before you begin. XTERRA Wetsuits demonstrates how to repair stress tears in only a few minutes. Browse more videos. You can use alcohol to clean it but make sure to evaporate the alcohol. Can you repair a torn wetsuit? The repair of your wetsuit is now finished and ready for use. The best way to fix such damage is to first patch the rear of the rip with a strong piece of neoprene. A wetsuit is likely to sustain some form of damage during its life. Option 2: wetsuit repair by a company that specializes in this. Spray a solution of soap and water over the repaired areas and look for bubbles. Cut the neoprene to size and ensure that it is slightly bigger than the tear itself. Fold the wetsuit over at the point of the cut so that the cut opens up to reveal the two surfaces that need to be glued back together. Upon drying it looks more matte, or dull. After a day or so of drying time you can get back to swimming fast. Estimated Repair Time: 15 minutes. Apply neoprene adhesive to the back of the patch and also to the damaged area. Ensure full coverage. Fold the wetsuit over at that point so the cut opens up to show 3. Rather than buying a new wetsuit, check out GTN's guide to wetsuit repair. Sometime a peg helps to clamp the rip together. Apply your first layer of neoprene glue along the inside of the edges of the tear. We then take it over to the heat press where we tape both the front and the back for strength and durability. Clean your wetsuit. Step 3: Apply the glue to either side of the rip and join together. Wait for it to become touch dry again. If youre a little bit handy, then theres every chance youll be able to fix your own wetsuit at home. Locate the tear in your wetsuit. Over the next few months this tear expanded until I had a sizable rent in the suit of about 3 inches. Read more about wetsuit cut repairs here. Jul 7, 2015 - Wear and tear is a natural part of owning SCUBA gear, but you don't always need a professional -- learn here how to repair a wetsuit tear in no time! Step 3: Keeping the tear open, allow the glue to dry for 5 minutes. Use a form of weight to press down over the suit to reinforce the glue as it dries. Dont use too much glue just enough to coat the surface of the tear. 0:30. Each glue will come with its own instructions, but the basic technique is simple: bend the wetsuit around the tear, to open it up, then apply a thin even layer to both sides of the tear. How to Repair a Wetsuit. To fix a small rip in the neoprene and repair your wetsuit, first make sure it is clean and dry so the glue sticks wells to it. Before repairing your wetsuit make sure it is clean and dry. Here are the two most common types of wetsuit repair, well within the ability of your average swimmer. Fill a spray bottle with warm water and add a few drops of dish soap into it. Use a rotary tool or scraping tool to open the crack into a V shape. A clean cut or tear caused by a fingernail or a fin hitting the wetsuit is usually easy to fix. We have already explained this in detail before. Scuba Diving Gear: Why You Need a Strobe on Your Dive Light. Guess what! Apply a second thin layer of adhesive again. We have already explained this in detail before. Simply squeeze a small drop of glue onto the tip of an unfolded paperclip and paint the glue inside the nick. Preparing the glue Step 3. Step 2: Apply a thin, even layer of Aquaseal glue to both surfaces. The cements work faster, but they are costlier. Remove the adhesive tape How to repair a wetsuit with sailfish glue: Practical guide. If your wetsuit had a tear, you're going to want to seal it up to stay warm and cozy on your dives. Step 1: Fold the wetsuit over at the point of the tear so that it opens up to reveal the insides of the two surfaces that need to be glued back together. Large Repairs Over the next few months this tear expanded until I had a sizable rent in the suit of about 3 inches. Triathletes can patch a wetsuit tear in just a few minutes to keep their wetsuits fast and lasting long. Apply Step 4. Tears bigger than a few inches may require professional repair services. A patch kit, like Tenacious Tape ($12.50, Gearaid.com ) will provide some extra reinforcement to the neoprene, sealing the tear and keeping it from re-opening when stretched and hopefully eliminating the need for further wetsuit repair. Follow these steps to repair your wetsuit. The two edges shouldnt touch each other yet. Et viola! But your wetsuits cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, so it isn't always possible to change it, right? Before repairing your wetsuit make sure that it is clean and dry. Generally, if your helmet cracks, you can easily buy a new one. The package includes a neoprene rubber patch and 2 small tubes of black contact adhesive. If there arent any bubbles, then the suit is sealed. SportDiver. Here's a quick read on how to repair your wetsuit tear and get you back in the water. After years of lovely usage, your wetsuit could tear or break, cre. Apply some glue to each side of the tear, along the cross section of the neoprene. The repair kit achieves full strength after 24 hours. Apply the wetsuit sealant. To fix this large tear, the first thing we do is join the raw edges together with neoprene cement. So what should you do? Make sure your wetsuit is clean and dry. Tear fixed. Open up the tear. Check for dirt, sand, or other debris. TIP: Never throw away old cuts of wetsuit! I left it a few seconds until the glue went tacky, then pressed the sides together. Make sure it fits exactly. GearAid recommends you try freezing your adhesive products to make them last longer, and then warming them up by running the tube/canister under warm water before use. Some tears may be absolutely beyond repair, and you will have to buy a new suit. It's exactly what it sounds like, a tube of special neoprene cement to glue the two sides together, and a patch to cover the hole. Pre-heat iron to medium heat. Step 2: Apply a thin, even layer of the cement or adhesive to both surfaces. Ensure theres no dirt, sand or wax around the ripped area. Cut out the oval shape and place it inside the oval you cut out on the wetsuit. Make sure to cover the surface evenly, or the repair glue might not hold correctly. Playing next. But small tears can easily be mended with wetsuit cement or adhesive. How to Repair Wetsuit Tears and Rips Before repairing your wetsuit make sure that it is clean and dry. Tears bigger than a few inches may require professional repair services. Back in action and ready for another set. Many people also like Neo-Rez because it dries fast. If the stitches or seams are torn it may also be a good idea to take your suit to a professional for repairs. Dont put them together just yet. How to Repair a Wetsuit with Aquaseal Step by Step Check that you have all the material you will need and that it is ready in our work area. Apply a thick, equal layer of adhesive to both surfaces. If It dries clear and flexible. The cement or adhesive will appear shiny when wet. Adhesive tape Step 5. Most of the time, your wetsuit will still work but you risk to deteriorate the "already damaged" surface by not repairing it. They come in really handy for this purpose. Follow. All you need is a wetsuit repair kit. Then carefully align the edges and press them firmly together. Locate the tear Step 2. How to repair a tear in your neoprene wetsuit How to repair a hole on your neoprene wetsuit Skip to content Since 1976, we design, manufacture, and offer the best gear at the best prices for more than 80 sports. This is often necessary if the damage is extensive or, for example, a complete zipper needs to be replaced. however when putting on the suit (xterra vortex 3) my heel (probably nervous energy)put a tear about half of the circumference of the leg but only about 4 inches from the bottom, so it did not effect my swim, So should I fix it and how? And then: To apply a patch of neoprene over a damaged area, ensure both patch and damaged area are clean. Cut the neoprene to size and ensure that it is slightly bigger than the tear itself. You will need to go through the gelcoat to the fiberglass and open the full length of the crack.Next, use 80-grit sandpaper to scuff up the opening you created. Minor neoprene nicks and tears How it occurs. To fix a small rip in the neoprene and repair your wetsuit, first make sure it is clean and dry so the glue sticks wells to it. Turn your suit inside out and find the tear and make sure you can access it easily. Apply some glue to each side of the tear, along the cross section of the neoprene. Check your local surf shop for some neoprene. See more about. How to Repair a Wetsuit. Allow to dry for about 10 minutes. 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. The drying Press and hold the edges together. Luckily, there are steps you can take to fix your wetsuit without having to throw it out completely. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts Apply second coat of wetsuit cement. https://www.surfertoday.com/surfing/how-to-sew-and-repair-a-wetsuit-tear This is often necessary if the damage is extensive or, for example, a complete zipper needs to be replaced. Spray the area above the tear and check for air bubbles. any links? Wetsuit Repair - Large Tear Wetsuits. Glue the neoprene patch to the hole as previously instructed. What you can use to fix a wetsuit tear. In fact, you can use this sealant to patch your wetsuit, and then use it 2 hours later. Browse more videos. Press J to jump to the feed. Scuba diving. Allow the alcohol to evaporate. If the repair 2. Option 3: repair a crack on a seam yourself. Get the glue out. 5 years ago. Small tears (around 1-2 inches long) can be easily repaired at home. Aquaseal Flexible Repair Adhesive bonds to neoprene, Hypalon, latex, nylon, vinyl (PVC), many fabrics, foams, composites, and many plastics. Around July of 2007, I noticed that my 3-year-old wetsuit had developed a small tear at the bottom edge of one of the legs. Sewing Wetsuit Repairs Do not rejoin the surfaces immediately while the glue is still fully wet. Fix your wetsuit yourself at home. Let it dry for 5 min. Wait 5-10 minutes for it to dry, and apply another coat. Clean the area around the rip.