Wetsuit repair
Here’s our checklist for smaller and bigger damages on your wetsuit.
Good advice to start with: Inspect your wetsuit for rips and tears after each use. Smaller damages are way easier to repair than the bigger damages.
Small wetsuit damage repair (1 to 2 inches)
Here’s what you have to do. You’ll be back in the water in minutes.
- Clean and dry the damaged area of your wetsuit.
- Apply a thin layer of your wetsuit repair kit, e.g. Neoprene Queen, to both the edges of your ripped neoprene.
- It should become touch dry in three minutes. Apply a second thin layer of adhesive again. Wait for it to become touch dry again.
- Then carefully align the edges and press them firmly together.
- Hold for a further two minutes under pressure.
- Allow to dry for about 10 minutes.
- The repair of your wetsuit is now finished and ready for use.
The repair kit achieves full strength after 24 hours. But you can use your wetsuit immediately.
Bigger wetsuit damages and repair (> 2 inches)
Here’s what you have to do; use a patch of neoprene. And then:
- To apply a patch of neoprene over a damaged area, ensure both patch and damaged area are clean.
- Apply neoprene adhesive to the back of the patch and also to the damaged area. Ensure full coverage.
- Allow to become touch dry for three minutes.
- Apply a second layer of adhesive and allow to dry. For about 10 minutes.
- Place to patch on to the damaged area and apply heavy pressure to the patch for two minutes.
The bond achieves full strength after 24 hours. But again, you can go in the water immediately.
Stitches and seams
If the stitches or seams are torn it is a good idea to take your wetsuit to a professional for repairs.
How to prevent damages
Avoid standing over hard or rough surfaces like sharp rocks when putting on your wetsuit. Use a towel or your boardbag to stand on.
When putting on or taking off you wetsuit be careful with rings, fingernails and watches as they can easily damage your wetsuit.