Wetsuit Problem

[Susan Otcenas]

Sand a can or tube of wetsuit cement.

So, I managed to snag the leg of my wetsuit with a fingernail and now have a half-moon-shaped cut in it It doesn't go all the way through, but I don't want it to get worse. Is there a brand you would recommend buying? Something you've used that works well? It's too late for me to do anything about it before my Oly this weekend, but I really want to get it repaired before my HIM in 3 weeks, and I don't want to have to send it out. I need it for practice!

TIA.

Susan

[HillSlugger]

So, I managed to snag the leg of my wetsuit with a fingernail and now have a half-moon-shaped cut in it It doesn't go all the way through, but I don't want it to get worse. Is there a brand you would recommend buying? Something you've used that works well? It's too late for me to do anything about it before my Oly this weekend, but I really want to get it repaired before my HIM in 3 weeks, and I don't want to have to send it out. I need it for practice!

TIA.

Susan

Those fingernail cuts are pretty easy to get. Fortunately, they are very easy to fix, too. If your race is Sunday and you can get some cement tomorrow you should be able to repair it before your race.

[withm]

Wet suit cement is a pretty generic product It's liquid rubbery goo, and every time I ever bought it, it had a different label. It's like rubber cement - use it in a well ventilated room, and get the smallest container cause it will undoubtedly turn into a rock the next time you need it. You can buy wetsuit cement thinner when that happens and try to doctor it up yourself, or save the hassle and buy another container.

Often these repairs aren't pretty unless you are very meticulous about your work. The cement is usually black, sometimes you can find clear. Invariably you will get the black rubber goo on something you wish you hadn't. Cover your work area with cardboard (I cut up cardboard shipping boxes), newspaper, paper towels, paper grocery bags or something like that. Depending on the size/shape of the repair, you can use the brush that comes with can, or buy those cheap hobby brushes, ur use toothpicks to spread the goo. I'd wear disposable latex (or equiv) gloves as well - the black goo can take a while to get off your hands and will probably never come off if you spill it on your clothing (she says blithely as she picks white paint off her hands from refinishing a dresser tonight....).

There used to be a place in the DC area that did this work - then they moved to Pocomoke City, then ultimately sold the business to one of their employees but the last I heard, she doesn't do it anymore.

Hope this helps.