Dry suit neck and wrist seals

Jelly · 24 February 2009, 11:26

Question, I've just looked at the neck and wrist seals on my drysuit and they have gone stiff, do you recon this is due to the cold being outside in the garage? they are about a year old heavy duty ones but unused?
They have been talc'd etc any ideas on anything to wipe over them to restore some flexibility?
Having only just paid to have them fitted autumn last year don't want to replace them already having not used them.
any ideas ?
James

Ian M · 24 February 2009, 12:57

Definately should not have 'gone off' in that period of time. I assume that you are using latex seals and not neoprene?
Two things that latex does not like are UV and certain chemicals, including petrol, diesel etc. If subjected to any of these for a period of time the latex will go off, although to age in the perid that yours have is strange. Were they OK when fitted?
The temperature should not affect their flexibility greatly, although the warmer they are the more flexible they will be, but it is not a great factor.
In my experience as a diver, latex seals normally fail as a result of tears, which I suppose may be a sign that they have started to age, but I have not noted a discernable 'stiffness' in torn seals.
The only thoughts I have are have they been stored inside a window in direct sunlight, or have they been in a fume laden atmosphere?

Andre · 24 February 2009, 13:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jelly

Question, I've just looked at the neck and wrist seals on my drysuit and they have gone stiff, do you recon this is due to the cold being outside in the garage? they are about a year old heavy duty ones but unused?
They have been talc'd etc any ideas on anything to wipe over them to restore some flexibility?
Having only just paid to have them fitted autumn last year don't want to replace them already having not used them.
any ideas ?
James

James
If latex seals then change them for neoprene. Very smooth on the neck and wrists and last longer.

Jelly · 24 February 2009, 13:29

Ian ,
Its out of the light and I can't detect any fumes, they were fine when fitted and early Jan when I checked them. They have not torn but are stiffer and I was scared of flexing them too much in case they fail.
Normally all the other laytex seals I've had have perished or gone sticky never stiff hence I wondered if it was the cold.

Andre, can you get neoprene fitted to a typhoon WOSS ? are they normal ones or special fit ?

Rgds
James

Andre · 24 February 2009, 13:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jelly

Ian ,
Its out of the light and I can't detect any fumes, they were fine when fitted and early Jan when I checked them. They have not torn but are stiffer and I was scared of flexing them too much in case they fail.
Normally all the other laytex seals I've had have perished or gone sticky never stiff hence I wondered if it was the cold.

Andre, can you get neoprene fitted to a typhoon WOSS ? are they normal ones or special fit ?

Rgds
James

James

yes you can . That is what I did two years ago. I sent my WOSS suit to Typhoon and they replaced the latex with neoprene seals.

rgds, Andre

SeaSkills · 24 February 2009, 14:37

Try putting them in hot water

Nos4r2 · 24 February 2009, 15:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andre

James

yes you can . That is what I did two years ago. I sent my WOSS suit to Typhoon and they replaced the latex with neoprene seals.

rgds, Andre

Do youremember how much it cost?

I'd love to have neoprene seals in mine-I always feel like I've got shaving rash round my neck after wearing it.

jyasaki · 24 February 2009, 16:07

Latex deteriorates from several causes: UV and ozone are the most common, but oils (skin oils and stuff in suncreen included) can also break down the material. Stiff usually isn't a problem; it's when it crazes (networks of cracks), or goes gummy that you know they're due to fail.

Diving, I usually get about a year or so from a set of seals (then again, I don't really take great care of them, either.)

After use, you should rub them down with soapy water (to remove oils), dry (towel is fine), then dust with unscented talc or cornstarch (acts as a protectant, and keeps them from sticking to themselves.) Store out of sunlight, and away from ozone producing things (electric motors, gas furnaces, etc.)

jky

4str · 24 February 2009, 16:31

Were they cold when you checked the seals? I know on my drysuit the seals are not very flexible when cold. Warm them up a bit and they are pliable again.

Ian M · 24 February 2009, 17:53

Agree with Andre etc., if you have to change them go for neoprene. I've seen divers with red raw necks after a weeks diving using latex seals, neoprene my neck's peachy

. You just might get a little seapage via the neck seal, as neoprene neck seals rely on a slight positive pressure within the suit to make them seal against your neck, but on the few occassions when I have done it, I have had no problems RIB-ing in a diving drysuit with neoprene seals.

wavelength · 24 February 2009, 20:12

we have neoprene seals - a vast improvement and the way to go. However latex socks on one suit and they were looking stiff and shot at when I used the boat a couple of weeks ago after a bit of downtime. Kept in a cold garage. After one use they were fine-back to as new condition.

treerat · 25 February 2009, 08:56

Get your self some Seal Saver from Polar Bears, it'll bring stiff seals back to life. It also helps look after seals if you apply it after use - onc ethe seal is clean and dry.

Neoprene is an option and may be better off for wet rather than imersed seals.

Most suits can have their seals changes, check out Seal Skin, Predator or Polar Bears (my local one) , all who do a repair service.

Andre · 25 February 2009, 15:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Do youremember how much it cost?

I'd love to have neoprene seals in mine-I always feel like I've got shaving rash round my neck after wearing it.

Is your dry suit from Typhoon? If yes which one have you got?

Nos4r2 · 25 February 2009, 22:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andre

Is your dry suit from Typhoon? If yes which one have you got?

Mine' actually from Northern Diver, but I'm guessing seal replacement prices won't vary much?

JSP · 26 February 2009, 11:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Mine' actually from Northern Diver, but I'm guessing seal replacement prices won't vary much?

Are Norhtern Diver still big in wetsuits? I worked for a bit in the factory when I was teenager on the cutting board before the suits were sown. 2 old ladies did all the sowing. They where getting into boat building at the time as well.

jyasaki · 26 February 2009, 15:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

Are Norhtern Diver still big in wetsuits? I worked for a bit in the factory when I was teenager on the cutting board before the suits were sown. 2 old ladies did all the sowing. They where getting into boat building at the time as well.

And they say wetsuits don't grow on trees...

jky

Rogue Wave · 28 February 2009, 05:52

it's the cold I think, we have about 20 sets of neck, bootees and cuff replacements all from latex, all 9 months old and they were wintered in a bos inside our container in Aberdeeen, which had a particularly severe winter this year and they have all gone stiff. I'mm goig to try some hot water and Hellermans ? sleeving lubricant on them. I'll tell you how I get on.

Jelly · 02 March 2009, 09:55

Hi Stu,
Thanks for that and to others who have suggested that method amongst others.
Not had a chance yet to try it
Rgds
James

Rogue Wave · 02 March 2009, 11:09

It worked, in fact I put them in my bag in the cintainer and by the time I got back to the hotel they were a lot more flexible. the wrm water brought them back almost stright away.

I'm going to try that seal saver stuff that tree rat mentioned for maintenance purposes instead of Hellermans

SeaSkills · 02 March 2009, 13:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jelly

Thanks for that and to others who have suggested that method amongst others.

You're welcome.