When And How To Repair Your Wetsuit
Know when (and how) to fix your suit so it will last through multiple race seasons.
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Know when (and how) to fix your suit so it will last through multiple race seasons.
Every wetsuit is going to end up with fingernail cuts and nicks through the neoprene. Some can be ignored, others can be fixed at home but the severe ones need a more extreme solution.
Forget about it
A small nick that doesn’t penetrate down to the jersey material lining the inside of the suit isn’t a big problem. These can either be left or repaired at home.
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DIY-fixable
Slits in the neoprene that go down to the jersey fabric should be glued shut with rubber cement. Get a jar of Elmer’s from a craft store and spread a small dab on the inner flap of the cut. Firmly press the flap back into place and hold for three minutes without letting the glue seep out the back.
See the video below for more on this.
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Seek expert help
If a seam breaks open or a cut in the neoprene penetrates the jersey liner, the hole needs to be sewn shut. Ship your suit to a repair service such as Madison Wetsuit Repair (Madisonwetsuitrepair.com) to ensure it lasts for several more seasons.
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Pro Repair Review
We shipped a badly damaged suit to Madison Wetsuit Repair in Wisconsin and it returned looking almost brand-new. The torn seam was brought back to near-perfect condition, and gouges in the neoprene were barely noticeable. The company’s typical turnaround time is one week, and price is determined per job. Rebuilding two seams and fixing multiple gashes in the neoprene cost us $50.