How to Repair a Wetsuit

Whether you’re scuba diving, surfing or wakeboarding, your wetsuit is an investment. It may be a costly piece of gear, but it’s worth the warmth and protection to make sure you feel comfortable (and stay safe). But when that wetsuit you spent a pretty penny on gets a snag — it’s a huge bummer. Luckily, there are steps you can take to fix your wetsuit without having to throw it out completely. Use this guide to fix a hole in your suit.

What You’ll Need

Neoprene sealant or adhesive
Small paintbrush for application
Rubbing alcohol

Weight bags or any other weighted object
A large trash bag or tarp

How to Repair a Wetsuit Hole

Make sure your wetsuit is clean and completely dry before you start.
Turn your wetsuit inside out and lay it on a clean, dry trash bag or tarp.
Use the rubbing alcohol to clean the area that was damaged. Make sure there is no sand or wax on the material.
Apply a single coat of neoprene sealant around all sides of the tear using the small paintbrush. Do not attempt to seal the hole yet. Let the glue dry for 2 to 3 minutes.
Apply a second coat of neoprene sealant around all sides of the tear and allow it to dry for 10 minutes.
After you have allowed both coatings to dry, gently press the sides of the rip together. Use the weight bags or weighted object to hold the sides in place.
Allow the wetsuit to sit this way, with the weights still on it, for at least 6 hours.
Apply a third layer of neoprene sealant to the now repaired hole and leave it to dry for another 6 hours.
Turn the wetsuit inside out, and apply a final layer of neoprene sealant to the outside of the hole. Leave it to dry for another 6 hours.

Tips

While the process of repairing a wetsuit hole is fairly simple, there are a few things you should keep in mind when repairing and caring for your wetsuit overall.

Never use bleach to clean your wetsuit.
Never put your wetsuit in a washing machine, dryer or dry cleaner.
Do not iron your wetsuit or leave it in a hot car.
Coat your wetsuit zipper in beeswax to prevent it from snagging the neoprene of your wetsuit.
Avoid lending your wetsuit to others for long periods of time. It can affect the way it molds to your own body.