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5 Signs Your Wetsuit Is Wearing Out | What You Can Do Before Replacing It
5 Warning Signs That Your Wetsuit Is Wearing Out | What You Can Do Before Replacing It A wetsuit doesn’t just suddenly fall apart one day. There are always small “warning signs” that appear beforehand. From the perspective of a factory that inspects over 1,000 wetsuits a year, we’ve summarized five key points that indicate “it’s getting risky” or “you should get it repaired soon.” 1. The ribbing at the neck, wrists, and ankles is wavy or starting to tear The ribbed areas at the neck, wrists, and ankles bear the brunt of the strain when putting on and taking off your wetsuit. If these areas are wavy and saggy, or if you notice an increasing number of small tears, that’s a warning sign. Water can easily seep in, causing insulation to drop dramatically. If left unattended, the tears will continue to spread. At this stage, you can still extend the wetsuit’s life by replacing the fabric or applying tape repairs. Consulting us as soon as you notice “something’s a little off” offers the best value for your money. 2. Thinning in the Knee and Buttock Areas. During takeoffs and paddling, the areas around the knees and buttocks are constantly rubbing against the board. You might not notice it when the board is new, but over time, the outer jersey fabric can start to fray, and the foam underneath may become thinner. Check for the following signs: The surface has a shiny, glossy appearance. When pressed, it feels flimsier and thinner than other areas. Small holes have already started to appear. Replacing the knee pads or re-covering the fabric at this stage can prevent the worst-case scenario of “realizing it’s full of holes and having to buy a new board…” 3. The zipper is stiff or gets stuck halfway. Once a zipper breaks, repairs can be both time-consuming and expensive. If you start noticing issues like “it’s been catching lately when I close it” or “it gets stuck halfway,” it’s safer to take action early. ...
5 Signs Your Wetsuit Is Wearing Out | What You Can Do Before Replacing It
5 Warning Signs That Your Wetsuit Is Wearing Out | What You Can Do Before Replacing It A wetsuit doesn’t just suddenly fall apart one day. There are always small “warning signs” that appear beforehand. From the perspective of a factory that inspects over 1,000 wetsuits a year, we’ve summarized five key points that indicate “it’s getting risky” or “you should get it repaired soon.” 1. The ribbing at the neck, wrists, and ankles is wavy or starting to tear The ribbed areas at the neck, wrists, and ankles bear the brunt of the strain when putting on and taking off your wetsuit. If these areas are wavy and saggy, or if you notice an increasing number of small tears, that’s a warning sign. Water can easily seep in, causing insulation to drop dramatically. If left unattended, the tears will continue to spread. At this stage, you can still extend the wetsuit’s life by replacing the fabric or applying tape repairs. Consulting us as soon as you notice “something’s a little off” offers the best value for your money. 2. Thinning in the Knee and Buttock Areas. During takeoffs and paddling, the areas around the knees and buttocks are constantly rubbing against the board. You might not notice it when the board is new, but over time, the outer jersey fabric can start to fray, and the foam underneath may become thinner. Check for the following signs: The surface has a shiny, glossy appearance. When pressed, it feels flimsier and thinner than other areas. Small holes have already started to appear. Replacing the knee pads or re-covering the fabric at this stage can prevent the worst-case scenario of “realizing it’s full of holes and having to buy a new board…” 3. The zipper is stiff or gets stuck halfway. Once a zipper breaks, repairs can be both time-consuming and expensive. If you start noticing issues like “it’s been catching lately when I close it” or “it gets stuck halfway,” it’s safer to take action early. ...
5 Things You Should Know Before Repairing Your Wetsuit Yourself | An Honest Explanation from a Wetsuit Craftsman
To those thinking, “Can’t I just patch it up with some glue for now?” The most common scenario when a wetsuit tears is, “I just tried patching it up with some glue from the hardware store.” Of course, I understand the sentiment, but from a professional’s perspective, there are really many cases where “it actually makes it harder to fix later.” Here, from the perspective of a workshop that repairs over 1,000 wetsuits a year, I’ve summarized five key points you absolutely need to know before attempting a glue repair yourself. 1. Wetsuit-specific glue and regular glue are completely different Wetsuit fabric (neoprene) is a material subjected to quite harsh conditions—stretching and contracting, water, salt, and temperature changes. Products sold at home improvement stores—such as “wood glue,” “instant adhesive,” and “all-purpose glue”—aren’t designed to withstand these conditions in the first place. They harden too much, causing the surrounding fabric to crack when you move; they only bond the surface, leaving the inside loose; or they degrade and peel off quickly due to seawater and UV rays. In short, they often just “look like they’re stuck for now,” while actually hindering the fabric’s natural stretch and flexibility. 2. The hardest part is “removing” the glue once it’s been applied thickly and liberally. The biggest problem with DIY repairs is when glue has been applied thickly and over a wide area on the fabric. When repairs are done in a factory, the process begins by carefully removing that glue. Forcing it off can damage the fabric itself, so it must be removed little by little over time. As a result, the amount of labor required increases compared to normal, and the space available for a clean finish is reduced due to the remaining glue residue—reasons why the estimate may end up being higher....
5 Things You Should Know Before Repairing Your Wetsuit Yourself | An Honest Explanation from a Wetsuit Craftsman
To those thinking, “Can’t I just patch it up with some glue for now?” The most common scenario when a wetsuit tears is, “I just tried patching it up with some glue from the hardware store.” Of course, I understand the sentiment, but from a professional’s perspective, there are really many cases where “it actually makes it harder to fix later.” Here, from the perspective of a workshop that repairs over 1,000 wetsuits a year, I’ve summarized five key points you absolutely need to know before attempting a glue repair yourself. 1. Wetsuit-specific glue and regular glue are completely different Wetsuit fabric (neoprene) is a material subjected to quite harsh conditions—stretching and contracting, water, salt, and temperature changes. Products sold at home improvement stores—such as “wood glue,” “instant adhesive,” and “all-purpose glue”—aren’t designed to withstand these conditions in the first place. They harden too much, causing the surrounding fabric to crack when you move; they only bond the surface, leaving the inside loose; or they degrade and peel off quickly due to seawater and UV rays. In short, they often just “look like they’re stuck for now,” while actually hindering the fabric’s natural stretch and flexibility. 2. The hardest part is “removing” the glue once it’s been applied thickly and liberally. The biggest problem with DIY repairs is when glue has been applied thickly and over a wide area on the fabric. When repairs are done in a factory, the process begins by carefully removing that glue. Forcing it off can damage the fabric itself, so it must be removed little by little over time. As a result, the amount of labor required increases compared to normal, and the space available for a clean finish is reduced due to the remaining glue residue—reasons why the estimate may end up being higher....