Drysuit neck seal

JSP · 08 November 2008, 13:56

The neck on my drysuit is a little tight. bit much on the double chin.
Is there anyway of stretching them? Or will they always spring back? Failing that, the seal seems long enough to cut back. Anyone ever done that and does it work?
Cheers

Chris · 08 November 2008, 14:01

If its a latex seal then I think you are supposed to cut them to fit, I certainly had to with my Henri Lloyd.

There are usually little lines around the neck seal that you can follow round to ensure you get the cut line right.

JSP · 08 November 2008, 14:22

Yeah there are lines and I did wonder if they where as a guide or some kind of reinforcement for the material. Can you cut lower than those lines Chris? I'm what my mates call A lanky-no-necked-fat-bunt.

Chris · 08 November 2008, 14:59

Up to you really, I would take it one bit at a time until you get a snug but comfortable fit.

JSP · 08 November 2008, 15:09

Just done it now mate, sorted.

thanks for that!

chewy · 08 November 2008, 15:52

If its a normal rubber seal I wouldn't have cut it, they sometimes tear where the cut isn't straight.
I'd jam a rugby ball or something in it to stretch it, I used lemonade bottles to stretch my wrist seals.

JSP · 08 November 2008, 16:01

That's what I thought of doing first, but now I've cut them they seem ok. I used long sharp scissors and made long cuts to try and keep the cut smooth. Fingers crossed they wont rip.

Another question. The zip is really stiff. What wax do you use on them? It's a crewsaver Strom Drysuit if that makes any difference?

chewy · 08 November 2008, 16:06

Silicone mould release spray is what the RNLI give to its stations.
Blocks of Beeswax work, you need to rub it into the zip itself. We also get told if you need to clean your zip rub a bar of soap on it in the same way you would beeswax. Whilst your at sea it'll desolve and clean your zip.

If you've been careful your neck seal should be ok. I think its just the rough gits who knack them.

JSP · 08 November 2008, 16:17

Thanks Chewy. Fingers crossed on the seal

willk · 08 November 2008, 17:07

Beeswax (any surfie shop) on the inner teeth, old candles work too

. The outer teeth need to be kept clean, lubed and free of salt. Scubapro make a great brush-on lube, it's a liquid wax, any dive shop should stock. I'm sure lots of products, many cheaper, would work but you don't want to attack the rubber around the zip with oil based waxes etc. Most zips get stiff and then f'ed when forced in a hurry. I'd think a mild acid-based cleaner would be good on an old zip with corrosion, followed by a good rinse and lots of lube

. Obviously cleaning after use is a must, unless you're in fresh water.

JSP · 08 November 2008, 18:33

thanks Willk. There's no corrosion just a bit stiff. So will have a look around for the wax's you both mentioned.

Another question, I'd like to attach some kind of loop on to the suit for attaching my hand held VHF. Somewhere on the left hand chest area. Any ideas how I could do this or know of somewhere I haven't thought of? Only place I can think is the belt on the life jacket.

willk · 09 November 2008, 09:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

Another question, I'd like to attach some kind of loop on to the suit for attaching my hand held VHF. Somewhere on the left hand chest area. Any ideas how I could do this or know of somewhere I haven't thought of? Only place I can think is the belt on the life jacket.

You could glue an aftermarket pocket (eg mask pocket) on, obviously you'd have to take the l-jacket into account when positioning it. You'd need the right glue, natch!

JSP · 09 November 2008, 17:51

Not sure what material it's made of, will have to find any labels on it. Cheers again Willk

jyasaki · 10 November 2008, 01:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

Silicone mould release spray is what the RNLI give to its stations.
Blocks of Beeswax work, you need to rub it into the zip itself. We also get told if you need to clean your zip rub a bar of soap on it in the same way you would beeswax. Whilst your at sea it'll desolve and clean your zip.

If you've been careful your neck seal should be ok. I think its just the rough gits who knack them.

Be careful not to get silicone on the material part of the suit (the part other than the zipper.) The silicone will permeate the material, and make future repairs about impossible. I'd suggest the wax.

Diving drysuits have their neckseals trimmed as part of the fitting. Won't be a problem. Take a close look at the edge as you stretch it, and make sure there aren't any partial/stray cuts that leave a slit in the material. If there are trim them off (the initial cut will cause the seal to tear.)

jky