How To Repair Your Wetsuit

Our wetsuits are made to last, but when accidents happen or wetsuits wear out, you don’t necessarily need to buy a new one. Save some money and reduce your environmental impact by repairing it to see it through to the end of the season, or the surf trip at the very least. Holes, rips and tears can often be fixed yourself, and we offer the tools you’ll need to get the job done.

If you hit your fins on a wipeout like team rider Edouard Delpero did recently on a trip to remote Baja Mexico (above) or if your wetsuit develops a tear, a little hole appears or the seams are beginning to split, you need a C-Skins Neoprene Repair Kit. Each kit contains a trusty tube of Black Witch neoprene glue (also known as Contact Cement), a length of neoprene tape, a selection of neoprene disks, and an application brush.

Here’s how to seal those holes, rips and splits, and get them watertight…

 

How To Repair A Nick In Your Wetsuit

1. Locate the damaged area and clean with fresh water. Allow to dry completely.

 

2. Apply a small amount of contact cement (glue) to the surfaces on either side of the hole or tear, using only what you need to optimise flexibility. Wait for 2-3 minutes to allow it to go tacky.

 

 

3. Push the two sides together and pinch in place using a bulldog clip if possible, for a minimum of 1 hour. A fine bead of glue should be visible on the inner and outer surfaces of the repair.

4. Leave the contact cement to cure for 24 hours before using your wetsuit.

 

How To Repair A Small Hole In Your Wetsuit

Most of us are guilty of stamping our suits into the car park in a rush to get them on or off at one time or another, which is a sure fire way to make small holes in the neoprene. Also, when a wet-suit starts to get old and has had a lot of use, some areas become thin, and can develop holes more easily. Here’s how to fix them.

1. Locate the damaged area and clean with fresh water. Allow to dry completely.

 

 

2. Apply a small amount of Black Witch glue onto either side of the ripped neoprene. Using too much of the solution will make the repair stiff and heavy, so only use what you need. Allow the glue to completely dry.

 

3. Reapply a second layer of Black Witch to the damaged edges, then wait for the glue to go tacky.

4. Using your fingers (you may wish to wear thin latex gloves), gently ease the ripped edges back together so the hole is sealed. Make sure the repair is flat and leave to bond for 30 minutes.

5. To guarantee your suit is completely watertight, or to reinforce a repair, use a neoprene patch. On the inside of your wetsuit, apply a layer of Black Witch glue over the affected area, and onto one side of the neoprene patch. Allow to dry for 5-6 hours.

 

6. Once the glue has dried, apply another layer of glue to the suit and patch, and wait for it to go tacky (2-3 minutes).

7. Affix the patch to the inside of the wetsuit using even pressure, making sure the hole is fully covered. Allow to cure under pressure for at least an hour. Your suit will be water-ready in 24 hours.

 

How To Repair A Split In Your Wetsuit

Lots of use, a fin slice, or over-zealously tugging your suit on when you’re desperate for a surf, can cause the seams to split. When this happens, you’ll need neoprene tape.

1. Locate the damaged area and clean with fresh water. Allow to dry completely.

 

 

2. Line up the split and apply a small amount of Black Witch neoprene glue to either edge of the seam. Allow to dry.

 

 

3. Reapply Black Witch to the split seam edges. Wait for it to go tacky, then carefully and evenly align the split and stick the sides back together. Holding firmly until they hold themselves (you may be able to use bulldog clips for this). Allow to dry for an hour.

4. Turn your wetsuit inside out. Cut your neoprene tape to just over the length of the split, and apply Black Witch to one side of this, too. Allow to dry.

 

5. Cut your neoprene tape to just over the length of the split, and apply Black Witch to one side of this, too. Allow to dry.

 

6. Apply a thin layer of Black Witch around the edges of the split seam, covering the same length and thickness as the neoprene tape. Allow to dry for 5-6 hours.

 

 

7. Repeat the last 2 steps, and wait for the glue to go tacky (2-3 minutes).

8. Stick the neoprene tape over the split seam, place a heavy weight on top. Allow to dry for at least an hour. Your suit will be ready for water-use in 24 hours.

 

 

If the damage is more severe, such as large rips from fins or rocks, we recommend sending your suit to a wetsuit repair specialist. We work closely with Bodyline Wetsuits in Cornwall, UK. Established in 1987, they are Europe’s leading wetsuit repair centre. If you’re worried the wetsuit has a warranty issue then please get in touch.

Give your suit a second lease of life by repairing what you have before buying new. If you want to pick up a wetsuit repair kit use our Dealer Locator by clicking here, or head down to your local surf shop.