b123
Nep status
Reged: 05/17/09
Posts: 918
Loc: Santa Barbara
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Hey guys:
I have 0 experience with wetsuit repair, so any advice would be appreciated. This guy is just sort of peeling apart at the seams. Anything I can do about it?
Thanks
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rspowers
Legend (inyourownmind)
Reged: 02/23/05
Posts: 538
Loc: wilmington nc
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If you do not have a warranty (you should check) - first sew with strong thread then cover with plastic dip on the inside and outside. You can buy plastic dip at home depot or lowes for like $5. It is paint/spray on rubber and works like the liquid seal seams you have on now.
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http://njsurfingclub.com
Edited by rspowers (05/25/12 02:16 PM)
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MACFISH
Gerry Lopez status
Reged: 05/29/07
Posts: 1020
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Oneill and I think Block surf sell neoprene cement that works very well provided suit is dry and clean. Apply cement to both side, let stand for a while, push the seam together, and support the seam with tape until completely dry. If you miss a spot, repeat steps. It's worked for me and I did not sew seam. YMMV.
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..ready to crash and burn, I never learn.....
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rowjimmytour
Michael Peterson status
Reged: 02/06/09
Posts: 2441
Loc: GOLETATHEGOODLAND
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w/ some fancy stitching using fishing line for thread 
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Gotta find a woman be good to me
Won't hide my liquor try to serve me tea
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FishFace
Michael Peterson status
Reged: 08/07/09
Posts: 2897
Loc: Del Mar, CA
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this is a good link:
http://www.patagonia.com/pdf/en_US/wetsuit_repair.pdf
I've also heard that dental floss is a good strong thread to use for wetsuit repairs.
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kellsmith
Miki Dora status
Reged: 04/18/11
Posts: 3713
Loc: South Bay
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is that a billabong? i had a billa 3/2 that looked like that and did the same thing. rubber was all crispy and the hybrid chest zip was super uncomfortable too. sold it on craigslist with the hole like that.... haha
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The glide shall not be truncated 
- roy
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avt__
Gerry Lopez status
Reged: 07/15/11
Posts: 985
Loc: Santa Barbara, CA
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Quote:
is that a billabong? i had a billa 3/2 that looked like that and did the same thing. rubber was all crispy and the hybrid chest zip was super uncomfortable too. sold it on craigslist with the hole like that.... haha
Probably an Xcel Infiniti 3/2. I have the same suit.
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saltyNuts
Gerry Lopez status
Reged: 04/05/11
Posts: 1175
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that is a pretty elaborate repair. I have used alot of that neo cement with great results. but it looks like you also need to get that blind stitched and re-taped.
Buy this stuff, its the best neo cement I have used. that other block stuff sucks.
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VaB
Billy Hamilton status
Reged: 11/14/04
Posts: 1638
Loc: Virginia Beach, VA
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I've done a lot of home wetsuit repair and that cement stuff SUCKS!!!
What I would do..
1. sew it back together.
- you want to break it up, you can do two kinds of sticthes, running, or interrupted. A running is one long stitch, it's faster but if it breaks anywhere the whole thing will be lost. interrupted, lots of small ones (like stitches if you go to a doc). I would do a few running.
2. over that, externally, put aqua seal. the cement stuff hardens and becomes plastic like, aqua seal stay like rubber, flexible.
the aqua seal will deteriorate over time but this will add months to the life of your wetsuit.
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rspowers
Legend (inyourownmind)
Reged: 02/23/05
Posts: 538
Loc: wilmington nc
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Quote:
I've done a lot of home wetsuit repair and that cement stuff SUCKS!!!
What I would do..
1. sew it back together.
- you want to break it up, you can do two kinds of sticthes, running, or interrupted. A running is one long stitch, it's faster but if it breaks anywhere the whole thing will be lost. interrupted, lots of small ones (like stitches if you go to a doc). I would do a few running.
2. over that, externally, put aqua seal. the cement stuff hardens and becomes plastic like, aqua seal stay like rubber, flexible.
the aqua seal will deteriorate over time but this will add months to the life of your wetsuit.
I agree with this. The wetsuit repair stuff from the surf companies is absolutely terrible. I have repaired tons of suits and it just doesnt work. As my post mentioned above, sew first, then try the plastic dip. The marine Goop and AquaSeal work just as well too as others have mentioned and they all hold for quite some time although you might have to redo it every few months. I personally think the plastic dip dries more flexible though and i actually use it on all my seams because i buy cheap suits and seal the seams with it.
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http://njsurfingclub.com
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b123
Nep status
Reged: 05/17/09
Posts: 918
Loc: Santa Barbara
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Thanks for all the help! Got some of that trident cement from a dive shop, we'll see how long it holds together!
For those wondering, it's a 4/3 xcel infiniti. I love the suit, but it's only a year and a half old and already starting to fall apart. Rinsed after every use too, albeit with warm water (which probably explains it).
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GDaddy
Phil Edwards status
Reged: 01/16/06
Posts: 7119
Loc: Carlsbad
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Quote:
Quote:
I've done a lot of home wetsuit repair and that cement stuff SUCKS!!!
What I would do..
1. sew it back together.
- you want to break it up, you can do two kinds of sticthes, running, or interrupted. A running is one long stitch, it's faster but if it breaks anywhere the whole thing will be lost. interrupted, lots of small ones (like stitches if you go to a doc). I would do a few running.
2. over that, externally, put aqua seal. the cement stuff hardens and becomes plastic like, aqua seal stay like rubber, flexible.
the aqua seal will deteriorate over time but this will add months to the life of your wetsuit.
I agree with this. The wetsuit repair stuff from the surf companies is absolutely terrible. I have repaired tons of suits and it just doesnt work. As my post mentioned above, sew first, then try the plastic dip. The marine Goop and AquaSeal work just as well too as others have mentioned and they all hold for quite some time although you might have to redo it every few months. I personally think the plastic dip dries more flexible though and i actually use it on all my seams because i buy cheap suits and seal the seams with it.
I realize this may be a dumb question, but do you do the plastic on outside or the inside? I'm wondering because of the potential for edges that will cause rashes.
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rowjimmytour
Michael Peterson status
Reged: 02/06/09
Posts: 2441
Loc: GOLETATHEGOODLAND
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
I've done a lot of home wetsuit repair and that cement stuff SUCKS!!!
What I would do..
1. sew it back together.
- you want to break it up, you can do two kinds of sticthes, running, or interrupted. A running is one long stitch, it's faster but if it breaks anywhere the whole thing will be lost. interrupted, lots of small ones (like stitches if you go to a doc). I would do a few running.
2. over that, externally, put aqua seal. the cement stuff hardens and becomes plastic like, aqua seal stay like rubber, flexible.
the aqua seal will deteriorate over time but this will add months to the life of your wetsuit.
I agree with this. The wetsuit repair stuff from the surf companies is absolutely terrible. I have repaired tons of suits and it just doesnt work. As my post mentioned above, sew first, then try the plastic dip. The marine Goop and AquaSeal work just as well too as others have mentioned and they all hold for quite some time although you might have to redo it every few months. I personally think the plastic dip dries more flexible though and i actually use it on all my seams because i buy cheap suits and seal the seams with it.
I realize this may be a dumb question, but do you do the plastic on outside or the inside? I'm wondering because of the potential for edges that will cause rashes.
+1 I have had plastic on the neck area seam give me rash 
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Gotta find a woman be good to me
Won't hide my liquor try to serve me tea
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fdb_23
Nep status
Reged: 06/08/10
Posts: 825
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used that cement stuff to fix a pretty sizable knee hole, actually worked surprisingly well in not letting water in, but had to apply it double sided cuz of location of hole. That stuff felt like shitt rubbing up on my knee all the time. Can imagine it would be fine for small repairs but would not recommend using it on the inside of suits IMO.
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rspowers
Legend (inyourownmind)
Reged: 02/23/05
Posts: 538
Loc: wilmington nc
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
I've done a lot of home wetsuit repair and that cement stuff SUCKS!!!
What I would do..
1. sew it back together.
- you want to break it up, you can do two kinds of sticthes, running, or interrupted. A running is one long stitch, it's faster but if it breaks anywhere the whole thing will be lost. interrupted, lots of small ones (like stitches if you go to a doc). I would do a few running.
2. over that, externally, put aqua seal. the cement stuff hardens and becomes plastic like, aqua seal stay like rubber, flexible.
the aqua seal will deteriorate over time but this will add months to the life of your wetsuit.
I agree with this. The wetsuit repair stuff from the surf companies is absolutely terrible. I have repaired tons of suits and it just doesnt work. As my post mentioned above, sew first, then try the plastic dip. The marine Goop and AquaSeal work just as well too as others have mentioned and they all hold for quite some time although you might have to redo it every few months. I personally think the plastic dip dries more flexible though and i actually use it on all my seams because i buy cheap suits and seal the seams with it.
I realize this may be a dumb question, but do you do the plastic on outside or the inside? I'm wondering because of the potential for edges that will cause rashes.
It depends on where the repair is and what i am using as glue. If i am using aquaseal or a wet glue, I would not do the inside. If i am using a rubber liquid I would do the inside - I would however avoid the neck/shoulder area as even the slightest irregularity could cause irritation if you dont have a rash guard on.
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http://njsurfingclub.com
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