Care guide
WETSUIT REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE
Keep your suit in top condition with simple repair steps for fingernail cuts and a few maintenance habits that protect the neoprene over time.
- Simple home repair
- Open-water care basics
- Storage and drying tips
Wetsuit repair
Fix minor fingernail cuts in four steps.
For small surface cuts, all you need is neoprene glue and a few basic household items to prep, seal, and hold the cut together while it dries.
Start with the right tools.
Start with some neoprene glue and three basic household items.
- Aqua-Seal Black Seal Cement 60mL (2 fl.oz) tube (available at your wetsuit retailer or local dive shop)
- Cotton Swab
- Scissors
- Household Cellophane Tape
Clean and prep the surface.
Clean and prep the surface in and around the fingernail cut. Make sure that the area is dry and clean. If dirty, use a warm damp rag to clean the surrounding area and allow it to dry completely before proceeding.
Apply the glue carefully.
Apply wetsuit glue to the fingernail cut with an applicator. Cut off one end of a cotton swab to create the perfect applicator. Lightly pinch the neoprene together to open the cut, then apply a small quantity of glue to both the inside and outside edges. When you release the neoprene, a thin film of glue should appear.
Hold the cut together while it cures.
Make sure the cut remains together until the glue dries. Apply a small piece of cellophane tape perpendicularly across the cut to hold it together. Ideally, allow the glue to dry overnight, or at least a few hours, before gently peeling off the tape. The tape will also remove any excess glue.
Wetsuit maintenance
Protect the neoprene with the right habits.
The biggest longevity gains come from how the suit is used, dried, stored, and handled between swims.
Avoid abrasive contact.
Avoid contact of the smoothskin side of the neoprene with anything abrasive. For optimal performance, use your triathlon wetsuit only for open water swimming. Ensure that the rough hook-and-loop (Velcro) closures remain covered and closed to protect the smoothskin.
Do not leave it in the sun.
Never leave the wetsuit out in the sun for extended periods. The sun’s UV rays and heat can accelerate the breakdown of the neoprene.
Do not leave it in the car.
Avoid leaving the wetsuit inside your car. Prolonged heat inside a parked car can melt the glue and prematurely age the neoprene.
Rinse with fresh water.
Give your wetsuit a thorough freshwater rinse. Rinse your suit immediately after use, or when you get home, to remove salt or chlorine. A garden hose or shower works well. Occasional pool use is fine, but heavy usage may shorten the life of the suit.
Dry it the right way.
After rinsing, hang the wetsuit on a shaped hanger inside-out to dry. This helps the suit dry faster. Once the inside is dry to the touch, turn it right-side-out and store it in a cool, dark place.
Inspect it at season’s end.
At the end of the season, check your suit thoroughly. Inspect both the outside for abrasions and the inside for seam and zipper issues. Fix minor cuts using our Syn-Seal vulcanizer, or call us at 1-415-524-3000 if your warranty might cover major seam repairs.
Restore flexibility after storage.
If your wetsuit feels too tight after winter, try a bath tub soak. Soaking your suit for a few minutes can help restore flexibility by allowing the micro bubbles in the neoprene to rehydrate.