Dry suit neck and wrist seals

[Jelly]

Question, I've just looked at the neck and wrist seals on my drysuit and they have gone stiff, do you recon this is due to the cold being outside in the garage? they are about a year old heavy duty ones but unused?
They have been talc'd etc any ideas on anything to wipe over them to restore some flexibility?
Having only just paid to have them fitted autumn last year don't want to replace them already having not used them.
any ideas ?
James

[Ian M]

Definately should not have 'gone off' in that period of time. I assume that you are using latex seals and not neoprene?
Two things that latex does not like are UV and certain chemicals, including petrol, diesel etc. If subjected to any of these for a period of time the latex will go off, although to age in the perid that yours have is strange. Were they OK when fitted?
The temperature should not affect their flexibility greatly, although the warmer they are the more flexible they will be, but it is not a great factor.
In my experience as a diver, latex seals normally fail as a result of tears, which I suppose may be a sign that they have started to age, but I have not noted a discernable 'stiffness' in torn seals.
The only thoughts I have are have they been stored inside a window in direct sunlight, or have they been in a fume laden atmosphere?

[Andre]

Originally Posted by Jelly

Question, I've just looked at the neck and wrist seals on my drysuit and they have gone stiff, do you recon this is due to the cold being outside in the garage? they are about a year old heavy duty ones but unused?
They have been talc'd etc any ideas on anything to wipe over them to restore some flexibility?
Having only just paid to have them fitted autumn last year don't want to replace them already having not used them.
any ideas ?
James

James
If latex seals then change them for neoprene. Very smooth on the neck and wrists and last longer.

[Jelly]

Ian ,
Its out of the light and I can't detect any fumes, they were fine when fitted and early Jan when I checked them. They have not torn but are stiffer and I was scared of flexing them too much in case they fail.
Normally all the other laytex seals I've had have perished or gone sticky never stiff hence I wondered if it was the cold.

Andre, can you get neoprene fitted to a typhoon WOSS ? are they normal ones or special fit ?

Rgds
James

[Andre]

Originally Posted by Jelly

Ian ,
Its out of the light and I can't detect any fumes, they were fine when fitted and early Jan when I checked them. They have not torn but are stiffer and I was scared of flexing them too much in case they fail.
Normally all the other laytex seals I've had have perished or gone sticky never stiff hence I wondered if it was the cold.

Andre, can you get neoprene fitted to a typhoon WOSS ? are they normal ones or special fit ?

Rgds
James

James

yes you can . That is what I did two years ago. I sent my WOSS suit to Typhoon and they replaced the latex with neoprene seals.

rgds, Andre

[SeaSkills]

Try putting them in hot water

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Andre

James

yes you can . That is what I did two years ago. I sent my WOSS suit to Typhoon and they replaced the latex with neoprene seals.

rgds, Andre

Do youremember how much it cost?

I'd love to have neoprene seals in mine-I always feel like I've got shaving rash round my neck after wearing it.

[jyasaki]

Latex deteriorates from several causes: UV and ozone are the most common, but oils (skin oils and stuff in suncreen included) can also break down the material. Stiff usually isn't a problem; it's when it crazes (networks of cracks), or goes gummy that you know they're due to fail.

Diving, I usually get about a year or so from a set of seals (then again, I don't really take great care of them, either.)

After use, you should rub them down with soapy water (to remove oils), dry (towel is fine), then dust with unscented talc or cornstarch (acts as a protectant, and keeps them from sticking to themselves.) Store out of sunlight, and away from ozone producing things (electric motors, gas furnaces, etc.)

jky

[4str]

Were they cold when you checked the seals? I know on my drysuit the seals are not very flexible when cold. Warm them up a bit and they are pliable again.

[Ian M]

Agree with Andre etc., if you have to change them go for neoprene. I've seen divers with red raw necks after a weeks diving using latex seals, neoprene my neck's peachy . You just might get a little seapage via the neck seal, as neoprene neck seals rely on a slight positive pressure within the suit to make them seal against your neck, but on the few occassions when I have done it, I have had no problems RIB-ing in a diving drysuit with neoprene seals.