How to care for and how to seal a wetsuit if it is torn. Repair of a neoprene wetsuit Features of gluing different types of damage

Having noticed damage to your favorite wetsuit, it’s time to get upset and think about buying a new one... But you can try and try to “resurrect” the diving suit, making it look like new. How to seal a wetsuit neatly and quickly? What material is best to do this and what tools will be useful?

Typical places where a suit breaks

A diver's clothing is often subject to the following types of damage:

• tear along the seam or in the fold area, divergence of threads along the seam;
• a through rupture of the jacket in any other area;
• rupture of a suit with a gaping defect, that is, when a piece of fabric is missing.

In addition, swimmers are sometimes forced to renew their “second skin”:

• change structural elements suit (knee pads, cuffs, face seal);
• order new knee pads and elbow pads;
• insert new snakes (main and limbs), drainage.

Master's Arsenal

To put your wetsuit in order and eliminate damage you will need:

• long sewing needle;
• tailor's pins;
• lavsan threads (they are characterized by increased strength);
• special glue for wetsuits. This glue is intended for products made of neoprene and is available in small tubes;

Advice! It is better if you have several types of glue on hand: “Aquashur” (it fills small seams well) or “Omer” (glue that helps to join parts of fabrics end-to-end).

• thermal tape;
• synthetic brush, blunt screwdriver, toothpick;
• hardener-cleaner intended for glue (“Kotol-240”);
• alcohol;
• bandage (gauze) and a piece of ordinary fabric;
• hard plastic cards (old telephone cards). They will help remove excess glue from tools or from the product;
• masking tape (narrow);
• work gloves (medical);
• sharp knife or razor;
• lead weights;
• free work space (table + hanger);
• well ventilated area.

Step-by-step “repair” of a wetsuit

The first thing to do before repairing is to thoroughly clean and dry the suit. You can wash the product using a special shampoo. The suit must be “dried” on both sides: the front and the inside.

The next step is degreasing. The gluing area is first cleaned with a cloth or bandage, and then alcohol is applied to it, which degreases the surface.

Important! It is necessary to ensure that during cleaning there are no particles of bandage left in the area where the integrity of the tissues has been compromised.

Before gluing the damaged parts, you need to practice a little and get good at using a hardener-cleaner. With adhesives different companies it behaves differently: the curing time is different. Also, don't be too generous when applying glue to the surface of the costume. Excess glue can make the seam rough and hard to the touch. Over time, it may even crack. Therefore, when compressing glued particles, no glue residues should be observed, and if they are, then in a minimal amount.

Features of gluing different types of damage

When dealing with large breakthroughs, small cracks or with severe cuts with torn out pieces, there are some subtleties:

1. If the gluing surface is large and bears heavy loads, then it is better to work with it slowly and gradually, then the result will be good. You can also sew the damage with it before gluing. inside for greater reliability. After stitching, the edges of the seams need to be disinfected and tape should be placed on them. The latter is needed so as not to smear the glue on the suit. We first seal the defects with a thin layer of glue, applying it pointwise using a match or a screwdriver, and then after 2-5 minutes we apply the main layer of glue. After this, you should apply a little pressure for 2 minutes on the places where you worked. The finished item should be dried on a hanger with the inside out.
2. You can replace a large defect in a wetsuit using a piece of neoprene taken from an old suit or from neoprene socks. We cut out a piece of the required size and sew it on, and then seal it according to the same instructions as for a simple break.

By following all the instructions exactly and putting your diving suit in order, you can safely go into “underwater combat” for new impressions and trophies!

Proper care of a wetsuit is the key to its long service life and preservation of the qualities that the wetsuit has. Neoprene is, in principle, a delicate material, it is easy to tear when put on and it can quickly become unusable if it is not properly cared for.

We hope you use it for your purposes and do not swim in a diver or extreme sports wetsuit.

Rules for caring for a wet wetsuit for swimming:

1. After swimming, the wetsuit must be washed in cold water. And it doesn’t matter where you swam: pool, river, sea/ocean. If you swam in the pool, rinsing after the pool is a MUST HAVE! Bleach corrodes neoprene even more than seawater salt.
2. After rinsing, hang the wetsuit on a hanger in the bathroom to dry. If you hang it on the balcony and the wetsuit dries in direct sunlight, the neoprene will deteriorate almost instantly;
3. Turn the wetsuit inside out to dry. This way you minimize the risk of ruining your wetsuit;
4. Dry away from heating devices. It's the same as with the sun. Dry naturally ONLY.
5. Store in a dry and well-ventilated place. There are opinions that if a wetsuit is stored on a hanger, it will stretch and sag. We have experience storing wetsuits both on a hanger and folded. No sagging was noticed on the hanger, but when stored in a folded closet, folds were visible. Therefore, we recommend storing it on a hanger.
6. When transporting (traveling to competitions), it is recommended to roll up the wetsuit rather than fold it. Avoid the same folds;
7. Avoid contact of the wetsuit with sharp objects;
8. Avoid contact with oil-based products on your wetsuit. It is then very difficult to get rid of them. If you suddenly get oily products, try to wash them off immediately. To do this, you can add a little soap.

How to repair a torn wetsuit

If you tear your wetsuit, there is no need to worry too much. This is normal practice. Glue for neoprene is sold in specialized stores. Glue can be purchased at almost any dive shop.

1. Take a toothpick or a match and coat the edges that we need to glue together;
2. We tighten the edges that need to be glued;
3. We tape the top with tape. This is a temporary measure until the glue dries.
4. Let the glue dry for 20-30 minutes;
5. Remove the tape.

Patches are not used for swimming wetsuits.

If your wetsuit suddenly rips, try to seal it immediately to prevent the tear from getting larger.

Watch the video on how to seal a wetsuit:

Any scuba diving enthusiast may face the problem of wetsuit damage. It’s better, without delaying until later, to repair ohota-diving.ru with your own hands.

Frequently encountered problems:

Through cuts, cuts or tears.
Seams coming apart.
Broken zipper.
Replacement of cuffs and knee pads.

When repairing a wetsuit you will need

Needle.
Pins.
Glue for neoprene (it’s better to buy 2 tubes).
Thermal tape.
Hardener.
Masking tape.
Blade or sharp knife.
Protective gloves.
Hood.
Alcohol solution.

The main rules for repairing a wetsuit:

Cleaning the bonded surface.
Be sure to dry the wetsuit on both sides.
Workplace arrangement.
Degreasing the surface.
Using special glue.

When the seam diverges

The problem is solved with a piece of thermal tape. Glue is applied to both sides of the gluing. After 3-5 minutes, glue is applied again and the sides are pressed tightly and neatly. After a while, you can release it, trim off the excess glue and reinforce the seam with thread. Next, the cut thermal tape is applied to the seam and heated with an iron.

Small slit

Small surfaces are glued together in the following way. They are degreased, glue is applied and, after drying, the surfaces to be glued are brought together. You need to press firmly and evenly and wait.

In case of a through breakthrough, a cut

When you have to work with a large surface, it is better to do it several times. It will take longer, but the result will be better. The elasticity of neoprene can play a bad joke when gluing (the edges will not match, a fold will appear, a bubble will form). You must immediately stretch the edges and glue them again.

Option 1. The outer surface is stitched. The wetsuit turns inside out. The edges
degreased and covered with masking tape. The glue is applied in a thin layer. The slit is widened to dry the glue. Glue is applied again, the edges are joined and pinched. Excess glue is removed.

Option 2. All the processes are the same, just instead of sewing up the cut, gluing with patches is used.

With a strong cut

Neoprene of the same thickness is taken and cut right size and the process of eliminating the cut is performed, but with gluing the patch. After gluing and sewing with threads, you need to apply a layer of glue or a patch (thermal tape).

The ocean and sea depths have always attracted lovers of diving and spearfishing. But these hobbies require not only skills, but also certain equipment. Nowadays, wetsuits that are most suitable for swimming have been developed for scuba divers, allowing them to feel very comfortable in the water, but also requiring special care, especially in case of damage.

What are wetsuits made from?

How comfortable the sensations of scuba diving lovers at depth will be depends on the right choice suit. Very great importance have the correct size, degree of fit of the neck cuff, thickness of the product and the material itself.

Lycra, trilaminate and neoprene are commonly used to make a wetsuit. Each of the materials has its own function and has its own advantages:

• Lycra. Wetsuits made from it are suitable for swimming in warm waters about 30 degrees. Such suits do not have a thermal insulation function, but are designed to protect the body from scratches from sharp corals, jellyfish, etc.
• Trilaminate. This material has been used for the manufacture of wetsuits not so long ago, but is already very popular due to its good heat-protective function and low buoyancy (additional weights are not required for diving). It is also comfortable to use, elastic, and does not allow wind and moisture to pass through to the body.
• Neoprene. The most common and favorite material among “submariners”. It does not restrict movement at all, is very elastic, and has a layer of air bubbles. The reverse side of these wetsuits is usually plush or nylon.

Like any other uniform, wetsuits are susceptible to damage. This can be caused by unsuccessful contact with corals and sharp stones. Also dangerous for them sudden changes temperatures, improper operation and maintenance: all this violates the integrity of the coating, forms abrasions, cracks and, as a result, inevitable ruptures. But fortunately, such damage can be corrected: it is not difficult to repair a wetsuit with your own hands.

Examples of glue brands for performing work

Repairing a neoprene wetsuit will achieve the desired result if you use a good adhesive. There are quite a lot of them on sale now, and therefore buying neoprene glue is not difficult. Among the best are “Bostic”, “Picasso”, “Technisub”, etc. To glue neoprene, use only special brands of glue!“Moment” and its analogues, which are suitable in many cases, are not suitable here.

Aquasure

A good adhesive for repairing damage and strengthening abrasions. Suitable for any type of wetsuit. The gluing area is left so elastic that it can be bent as much as you like: the neoprene will not tear at this point. Drying time without an accelerator is about 14 hours, with it – up to 2 hours. Applying a thin layer of glue to the worn area of ​​neoprene will protect the surface while maintaining elasticity. When dry, the glue is similar to silicone.

Picasso

The adhesive, suitable for all types of neoprene wetsuits, is very elastic and durable. After it dries, the gluing area does not remain rigid even at the seam. The color of the glue is black, which will allow the gluing area to remain invisible. This glue is suitable for neoprene from any manufacturer.

Bostic

This wetsuit adhesive can be used in combination with toluene solvents for greater effect. Apply to a dry, clean surface and dry within 24 hours. Easy to apply, durable, penetrates materials of any porosity. Bostic dries within a day, but the sealed area gains final high strength after a week. The seams can be bent and compressed.

It glues any type of rubber very firmly and is not affected by salt water, humidity and heat. The stickiness disappears 3 minutes after application, but do not use the product for another day. Given the positive properties of this product, you should also follow safety precautions when working with it: do not inhale, do not allow contact with skin. Work in a ventilated area.

Sargan

The main purpose of this product is to repair minor scratches and cuts. Apply to degreased and dry damage, press the edges for 15 seconds and do not use the product for the next 24 hours. In general, the setting time and strength are significantly inferior to, for example, Technisub glue.

Technisub

Considered one of the best adhesives, can fill even severely torn areas. Returns tightness and flexibility to the repaired area, gives a neat appearance. The gluing speed after a minute of drying is almost instantaneous, which is very important. The color is black, the glue dries quickly (the item is ready for use within a day). Use for repairs on degreased and dry surfaces.

The time required for complete drying depends not only on the glue, but also on the thickness of the neoprene and the air temperature.

These types of glue can not only help in repairing a wetsuit, but also seal gaps in inflatable boats, rubber shoes, restoring surfaces without changing the properties of the material.

How to properly glue a wetsuit

To repair a neoprene wetsuit, you need not only special glue, but also knowledge step-by-step execution this work.

• lay out the suit on a smooth surface;
• Apply glue from the tube onto a thin stick (if minor scratches a toothpick will do);
• coat both sides of the tear site thoroughly and evenly with glue;
• wait 2-3 minutes to allow the first layer of glue to harden slightly;
• Use your fingers to check whether the glue has hardened (it should not feel sticky);
• if the first layer does not stick, apply the second one according to the same principle as the first;
• dry the sealed area again for a couple of minutes;
• after this, fold the edges of the tear together on a flat surface, straighten it and, as if pinching, squeeze the place of gluing with your fingers;
• leave the product to lie and dry until suitable for use.

This method is described for repairing quite major damage. In the case of small cuts, cracks or abrasions, applying one layer of glue is sufficient.

If repairs need to be carried out urgently, and the suit is damp, the damaged area can be thoroughly blotted with a crumpled piece toilet paper or napkins, drying the gluing area in this way.

Repairing wetsuits is a short process, but always different time goes to dry the product. Therefore, in order to avoid unnecessary damage, it is often enough to treat the item with care, following the rules of operation and storage. Unfortunately, it is hardly possible to insure against other causes of tears and abrasions.