drysuit repairers near gosport please? or diy tips pls

[jema]

seals have perished , I've successfully repaired the wrists , but, cant find suitable object to pull the neck area over & stretch it, ( & keep it in position whilst i glue on the neck seal...

ideas on diy please
or decent priced repairer near gosport

thx

 

[longjohnsilver]

How about using a suitably sized fender or football?

 

[ParaHandy]

B&Q plastic bucket works well ... presume he/she knows what to do? upturn it and stretch neck over (with suit inside out), clean old glue off, fit and glue new neck, tighten old belt round the lot, wait and bob's yer uncle ...

 

[cameronke]

I used to roll up piles of newspaper and then cover with a bin liner before stuffing in neck hole

Regards
Cameron

 

[Puffin_Billy]

Crewsavers are in Mumby Road, Gosport. They make drysuits and I think undertake repairs too.

Alternatively, Andark in Swanwick (opposite Moodys) definately do them.

The bucket method works well (need a bigger bucket than you think though). I'd recommend the impact adhesive, so you can put the seal in place and when you're happy press hard to complete the job.

 

[jema]

fantastic, thank you
question tho' how do you stop the new neck piece sliding off when you try & get it to stay on the wet adhesive... ( or do 2 of us have to sit & watch the tv holding it all evening - tee hee)
thx

 

[wooslehunter]

Try Solent Divers in Lake Road, Portsmouth - probably the cheapest and also one of the best.

They make suits - not membrane though but will fit a seal. They also sell the seals & glue. Cliff who owns the place is a great help if you bully him as much as he will you. I think the sons have banned him from the shop now. Alternatively fit yourself with tips above.

Plus - mask off the area around the seal to avoid the glue spreading. Rough up both the seal & the suit once cleaned. Try a dry run to check the fit & make marks if necessary to guide you. Apply a layer of glue to both & allow to go off. Apply another layer & allow to go off. While the glue is going off, it will cause the seal to roll up. Make sure no glued area touches another. Now be VERY careful. Once the two halves touch they will not come apart. I use a piece of paper to stop the two touching as I work around pulling the paper back a little at time. If you do get a wrinkle you may be able to "iron" it out with a wallpaper edging roller. These are good for rubbing down the job anyway. Solent can supply this as well.

I generally run a length of tape round the join edge as well to finish off. It stops the edge from lifting over time - shouldn't do anyway but can do.

Once finished, powder will stop any remaining glued areas causing a problem.

Try the suit and you'll find the neck is probably too small. Cut a small ring off the top & try again. Remember the new seal will stretch a little so don't over do it. You can always cut a bit off later.

I've done loads on my dive suits over the years & they all look terrible - but they do last, cost less & don't leak.

 

[flyingjunior]

Hi Jema
I have heard that Andark are good for repairs or try looking here http://www.divernet.com/directry/directory.shtml for other possibles
If you decide to diy it wooslehunter's instuctions are pretty much how I would carry out repairs the best glue I have found is black witch which you can get from most chandlers and dive shops.
ps dont let a friend help you into your new neck seal if they have got sharp nails or else you will be doing it again.
Hope this helps
cheers Pip

---------------------
Dyslexic's rule KO!

 

[wooslehunter]

Hi Jema,

Just a note on glue. Best glue I've found for the thin rubber seals on a membrane suit is a 2 pot impact adhesive called S2000 & made by Dunlop.

I've certainly used Black Witch before but for repairing a neoprene suit but never on a membrane.

 

[Mariner]

Fooballs, Buckets, Traffic Cones.
If you get stuck let us know and I can do it for you.

Martin