Sticky dry suit zip

Mark Halliday · 14 April 2004, 22:15

Does anyone have any tips for easing a dry suit zip, which will not destroy the seal?
I have just been given a Typhoon Racer dry suit by a friend, so I cant complain that the zip is sticking. It was not washed off last time he used it ( October last year). There is no obvious corrosion or damage, it just sticks about 3/4 of the way down. I nearly could not escape when I tried it on. Pro-lube Silicon/PTFE spray helped, but it will wash off quickly. I am doing a Saftey and Rescue course this weekend and the instructor has promised that we will be swimming

and it would be a handy to have it.

woot · 14 April 2004, 22:33

Dive shops sell blocks of "beeswax" that you rub on the zip then work the zip a few times, if you can't get to a diveshop you could try candlewax I have heard of people using it but haven't tried myself.

Suzuki416 · 14 April 2004, 22:40

Almost any wax (beeswax, candle wax) will do but try to stay away from the silicon stuff! Your suit will not thank you for it.

With the zip totally closed, wax along the top then bottom, the open/shut the zip a couple of times to get the wax into the teeth. If you are feeling keen then wax it with the zip open

Pete

Mark Halliday · 14 April 2004, 22:51

Wax it is then, I have some bees wax around somewhere.
BTW I put the pro-lube on with a artists paint brush, so it did not get all over the fabric, even though it is a "dry" lubricant and said to be safe with rubbers and plastics.

David Hickman · 14 April 2004, 22:56

Ravenspring www.ravenspring.co.uk sell 2 types of zip lubricant. A liquid in a bottle with a brush which does not dry up upon application and also a wax stick to apply.
Hints:
Always wash the dry suit off everytime you use it. Whilst you are still wearing it stand under a hosepipe or let someone else wash you down.
Use talc in the cuffs and neck seal. I use baby powder.
Hang it up side down with the zip open to allow to air dry.

John Kennett · 14 April 2004, 23:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Halliday

Wax it is then, I have some bees wax around somewhere.

I've always just used candle wax on mine and it seems to do the job OK!

John

Suzuki416 · 15 April 2004, 01:13

Quote: Use talc in the cuffs and neck seal. I use baby powder.

Yep, always worth using..

An alternative is to use KY jelly on the latex seals. This will greatly extend the life of them. I use this on my diving drysuit & the neoprene seals have so far lasted 220 dives with no leakage.

also don't dry the suit over a heater. As David said 'air dry it'

Pete

Mark Halliday · 15 April 2004, 09:02

Candle wax worked a treat. Finding the stick of bees wax may have taken weeks. You should see the state of my garage! The zip now slides like a very sliddy thing.

The suit is now 3rd hand and was not washed off because it was being replaced. I shall try to give it the TLC that the 2 former owners gave it when it was new to them.

Talc sounds a good idea. Anything to help get it on and off, and extend its life. I may even smell a bit better than usual when I ge home

Again, many thanks for the quick replys.

Headhunter · 15 April 2004, 10:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

I've always just used candle wax on mine and it seems to do the job OK!

Not much use as a contraceptive then John!!

John Kennett · 15 April 2004, 11:11

A drysuit makes a much better contraceptive if the zip is difficult to open!

John

Headhunter · 15 April 2004, 12:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

A drysuit makes a much better contraceptive if the zip is difficult to open!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Halliday

It was not washed off last time he used it ( October last year). There is no obvious corrosion or damage, it just sticks about 3/4 of the way down. I nearly could not escape when I tried it on.

JK did you give Mark the drysuit??

John