Expired neoprene glue? Tips on wetsuit repair.

[phendrixx]

Hi!!

I have gone over the internet a lot regarding the mystery of my 'bad' neoprene glue. But i can't seem to find anybody with the same problem!
Am i the only one that has neoprene glue (both Black Witch and Neoprene Queen) that just DOESN'T WORK?

The problem what i have been encountering is that it's just too thick! It's not liquid enough and can't be applied at all because it's already too solid as a rubber-like substance. I first thought this was due to the glue being too old. As if it had solidified already / being expired? But when i bought a brand new one i had the exact same problem! Does this sound familiar to anyone??

But then.. the times i remember that i actually had been able to apply the glue.. It doesn't really 'glue' anything.. As in it's absolutely not possible to glue a tear in your wetsuit with it. It's just not strong enough so you need to stitch it with dental floss and then the neoprene glue basically only operates as a seal to not let water come through the holes of the thread. But then on top of that it seems that after time it just dries up and starts to fall off your wetsuit anyway!

I surf almost every day and have had many wetsuits and many tears. For example i have fallen on the rocks and got a tear on the bum. Or i fell on top of my board on the fins and ended up with a tear on my leg part. These were good wetsuits and i really wanted to repair them. The dental floss works to stitch the holes, but the point i am making here is that i just don't seem to see any use in the neoprene glue!

I am considering to start renting out wetsuits and i want to explore the best way to repair my wetsuits. It would be good for example if i could repair my tears with dental floss first and then glue a thin layer of neoprene on top of it.,. More like a thinner type of cloth like the seals on the inside of the wetsuit on the seams? Would that make sense and any recommendations on how to get the materials and glue for that??

Any advice is appreciated! Thanks!

[dtc]

Neoprene glue ('cement') is really thick, and its not really a 'glue', its sort of a hybrid between a glue (something that sticks two things together) and a 'patch' (something that covers up a hole with a solid surface). Its more a sealant than a glue. Its really designed for small cuts and nicks; for a large hole its not going to stick the flaps of the neoprene together like superglue.

You will have to stitch or put some kind of seam on large holes (dental floss is a good choice, fishing line is another). If you sew you may want to seal up the little holes from the thread - you can also put a big patch (some old neoprene) over the top of your repair and glue that on or just go back over with neoprene glue after you have sewed

There is stuff called 'seam grip' which is a camping/tent repair product that can be used where you need more of a glue product.

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=16007

[DrDave]

I've used this stuff https://www.amazon.com/McNett-Essentials-Neoprene-Contact-Adhesive/dp/B000MMI7X8?th=1&psc=1 to fix some decent size tears and it's held up fine. Coat the edges twice, wait a few minutes and press together. It comes with a brush in the cap and it's pretty thick, but not like what you're describing. I've also had good luck doing the dental floss thing and then painting over it with plasti-dip.

[saltydog]

Make sure your wetsuit is clean(sand, wax, salt, etc.) and dry before gluing.

[billie_morini]

if you want to reduce the viscosity of new or old neoprene cement, then you can use acetone.

I've successfully used Block Surf Neoprene Cement (Industrial Strength). The can and label look like this:
http://www.californiakiteboarding.com/p ... aQodjxcG_Q

The consistency is similar to Yamabond, Hondabond, and 3M Black Super Weatherstrip Adhesive. It's really important to: 1) apply a thin layer to each side of the tear and let them cure ("dry") for about 5 minutes, and 2) apply another thin layer to each side of the tear and let them cure for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, press the surfaces together firmly.

The primary chemicals in neoprene cement are toluene and acetone. The reason the three steps above are important is because you are chemically welding the material together. The curing process "melts" the neoprene. One thin layer doesn't quite melt it enough. That's why the second thin layer is applied.

[phendrixx]

thank you all for great responses!!! I had seen the McNett Seal Cement in a YouTube video and had my eyes on that one. Unfortunately i couldn't get it in Europe (where i have contacts that could send me). It's good to have some different options for cements that work more like a glue also, i will have a look at them and try to get something here where i live in Peru.

I guess topics like this can warn people a bit about the neoprene 'glues' as they might be a bit disappointing to use. I have thrown away 3 tubes already because they didn't really work. Thank you all!

[billie_morini]

phendrixx,
look at this oler thread:
viewtopic.php?f=20&t=16007