5 Things to Know Before Repairing Your Wetsuit with Adhesive Yourself | An Honest Guide from a Wetsuit Craftsman

For those who think that it's okay to just stick it on with glue, right?

When a wetsuit tears, the most common pattern is
"I tried sticking it on with some glue from a home improvement store."
Of course I understand your feelings, but from a craftsman's perspective There are many cases where it becomes more difficult to fix the problem later .

Here, from the perspective of a factory that repairs over 1,000 items a year,
Here are five things you should know before attempting to repair your own home .

1. Wetsuit glue and regular glue are completely different

Wetsuit fabric (neoprene) is exposed to stretching, water, salt, and temperature changes. It's a pretty harsh material .
Sold at home improvement stores "Wood glue," "instant adhesive," "multi-purpose glue," etc. In the first place, we never imagined such an environment.

  • It hardens too much and the surrounding fabric cracks when you move it.
  • Only the surface is stuck together, the inside is hollow
  • Seawater and UV rays can cause it to deteriorate and peel off quickly.

In other words, "for the time being it just looks like it's stuck together,"
This often interferes with the natural flexibility and flexibility of the hair .

2. The hardest part is removing the sticky adhesive once it's applied.

The most difficult thing about self-repair is
This is a case where the glue has been applied thickly and widely on the fabric .

When repairing at a factory, the first step is to carefully remove the adhesive.
If you try to peel it off forcefully, it will damage the fabric as well. You need to take it off little by little over time.

As a result,

  • More work than usual
  • The remaining glue residue reduces the space available for a clean finish.

For some reason, the estimated cost may be higher.
To be honest, there are many cases where customers say, "If you had sent it to us in the first place, we could have fixed it more cheaply and neatly."

3. If you apply too much paint, it will become like a hard board and will be more likely to crack.

If you apply too much glue, only that part will
"A hard board stuck in soft wet" It will be.

Then, when you apply pressure while riding or changing clothes,

  • The fabric folds at the edge of the glue
  • It splits open at the border

This makes it more likely that secondary damage will occur.
Be careful if the wet area looks stuck together but is strangely hard and crispy in one area.

4. You can't tell if there's any internal damage without seeing the item in person.

Just look at the broken part We tend to think, "If I apply glue here, it will be fixed," but
In reality, the damage may have spread into the seams, behind the seams, and to the surrounding panels .

At our factory, when the wet bag arrives,

  • Stretchability of the fabric
  • Cracks and deterioration on both sides
  • Impact on other panels

After comprehensively checking the above,
We are determining how much repair is needed before it is safe to go back into the ocean.

Even if you only plug the visible "holes," If the main body is weak, it will soon crack in another place . This is a common pattern in do-it-yourself repairs.

5. The sooner you consult a professional, the quicker it will be to use the product right away.

The day before a tournament, trip, or when there is good swell,
I understand the feeling of "I really want to use it tomorrow, so I want to figure it out myself."

However, if you try to force it to harden with glue,

  • It breaks completely in the ocean
  • Too much water in the room, it's impossible to perform
  • Subsequent repairs will be even more difficult

The reality is that the risks are greater .

If you want to continue using this piece of clothing next season,
Rather than a short-term fix, In most cases, it is more cost-effective to leave it to the professionals to fix it properly .

Summary: If you are unsure, consult a doctor before applying the adhesive.

Wetsuits are important pieces of equipment that cost tens of thousands of yen each.
A single failed self-repair attempt can reduce the lifespan of your device by more than half .

As a wetsuit repair shop based in Shonan,
We truly believe that we want to repair anything that can be repaired so that the ships can be used in the ocean for a long time.

If now,

  • I've already applied glue, so I'm not sure if I can fix it.
  • I'm not sure whether to replace or repair it

If that's the case, just send us a photo .
After examining the condition, we will honestly tell you whether it is better to repair or replace it.

👉 Wetsuit repair specialist page
👉 Send a photo via LINE to get a free estimate

For those who want to consult directly with a wetsuit craftsman

"I tried fixing it with glue, but is this okay?" "I'm not sure whether to buy a new one or get it repaired."
If you have any concerns after reading this article, our craftsmen will look at the photos and give you an honest answer.

  • Should I fix it or should I buy a new one?
  • Approximate repair costs and delivery time
  • The risks of continuing to repair with glue yourself

First, please take a full photo of the wetsuit you are currently using plus a close-up of the area you are concerned about and send it to us.

▶ See the wetsuit repair details page
▶ Send photos via LINE for consultation
▶ Apply through the repair request form

Back to blog