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How to Repair a Wetsuit

   January 28th, 2016   Posted In: How-To   Tags:

How to Repair a Wetsuit

Do you need to repair a wetsuit? Damage can occur either in the smooth rubber (smoothskin, smoothie, sharkskin, etc.) or in the nylon laminate and this is usually the result of pulling too hard when putting the suit on or by catching or pinching the surface of the wetsuit with your fingernails.

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. Should a tear or fingernail cut happen, repairing it yourself is a very simple five-minute job.

You will need some type of wetsuit cement or wetsuit adhesive. Cements work faster for tears, but tend to be more expensive. Check out our wetsuit repair products.

Repairing Tears in Smoothskin

Supplies:

-Some sort of applicator (small paint brush, Popsicle stick, strip of rigid plastic)
-A clean, dry wetsuit

Be sure to follow all safety precautions on the repair products packaging and use in a well ventilated area!

Step 1:
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.

Step 2:
Apply a thin, even layer of the cement or adhesive to both surfaces. Continue to hold the cut open while the glue begins to cure. Do not rejoin the surfaces immediately while the glue is still fully wet. This is especially important if you are using an adhesive repair product.

Step 3:
Flatten out the suit so that the two surfaces come together.

Step 4:
Pinch the two surfaces firmly together.


Step 5:

The cement will only take 1 to 3 minutes to dry (depending on room temperature and humidity). Wetsuit adhesives will take longer to dry (a few hours.) The adhesives look glossy when wet and will become matte when dry. Once it appears dry, check it by gently touching the glue surface. It will feel only slightly tacky and will not stick to your finger. Regardless of the glue type used, it’s best to allow your repair overnight to fully dry.

Small holes and tears (less than 1/2″) in the nylon laminates can be repaired similarly. Larger holes or holes penetrating all the way through will require a piece of scrap neoprene and potentially stitching, most likely requiring professional repairs.

Questions about wetsuit repair? Give us a call or send an email!

Lauren (LoLo) has been turning words into blog posts for Wetsuit Wearhouse since 2014. She learned to surf for the first time ever in Costa Rica but she gravitates more towards SUP. When she's not scouring the web for travel deals, you can find her either hiking, running, gardening, tending to her animals, or reading a good book outside on a beautiful day.

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7 Comments

  • Al says:

    Hi LoLo / Team,
    I am 59 and overweight. I always snorkel on top of the water and never had a wetsuit. I will be going to the Big Island this Feb and according to what I can find water temp is between 73-78 F and thinking I may need one for this trip – not sure of thickness and suit size. What do you recommend? Is a two piece better for my size?
    Height 66″
    Weight 245 #
    Chest 51″
    Waist 51″
    Hips 47″
    Neck 16″
    Inseam 28.5″

    Thanks,
    Al

  • Laura Lister says:

    Can you advise me? I am 78 years old and find my pool a bit too cold. I would like to purchase a wet suit jacket that is very flexible and easy to swim and do aerobics in. Since swimming helps arthritis, movement is very important. I do not do straight laps, but various exercises worked into a lap. Also – I am overweight so I do not want anything “sexy”.

    What do you think?

    • Crysta Goff says:

      I’m going to send you a private email, Laura. (:

    • John Gross says:

      Hi make sure it has a full zipper they can be hard to get off at your age,you dont want a full suit or a pull over that you may need helping getting on and off,i just checked ebay theres a xxxl camo jacket full zipper,25$bid 15 shipping.looks new.
      And you can use as out of water jacket if its super cold.they really hold heat in shockingly so.
      Because of how hard they are to remove you might want to start with hood gloves and feet.try searchs like neoprine gloves socks hood.jacket check ebay cheap.also thift stores often have wetsuits for like 20$

  • Marco says:

    Hello,

    I read your blog in a quick and non efficient way. I didn’t find the answer I was looking for. I found your views very interesting, points are great too, thank you for your post. It helped me understand a little into what I was looking for. I hope you carry on with your views and different ways of wording your initial subject/subjects. Enjoy reading your book in hot summer days, it’s when you’re most alive in the most ways you can be.

    Regards,
    Marco

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