How to repair this wetsuit leg?

[topcat]

Any thoughts on this? I'm thinking it is beyond repair, other than cutting it off above the knee and fitting a new leg?
Who might undertake such work?

 

[cavingbiker]

View attachment 13665

Any thoughts on this? I'm thinking it is beyond repair, other than cutting it off above the knee and fitting a new leg?
Who might undertake such work?

When I first started caving we made our own wetsuits for caving from kits, taping the seams, and getting high on the glue fumes. I'm sure you will be able to find suitable materials online, for a prettier job there are a number of companies who'll be willing to take your money. Although in this day and age it will probably be cheaper to buy a new wetsuit, Aldi have some on sale at present.

 

[Ian Ball]

Caving Suits, Undersuits, Oversuits & Accessories - JumpSuits

JumpSuits specialise in made to measure caving undersuits and caving oversuits. All caving suits are hand produced using high quality fleece and fabric.

www.jumpsuits.randomstuff.org.uk

Jumpsuits might have some tips or take on the work.

 

[caving_fox]

View attachment 13665

Any thoughts on this? I'm thinking it is beyond repair, other than cutting it off above the knee and fitting a new leg?
Who might undertake such work?

What did you do to it?! Aquasure sticks neoprene pretty well, you may be able to glue a new leg in place with that... but it's looking more like convert to a shorty suit (or a neofleece?) and replace the full wetsuit.

 

[LadyMud]

As Caving Fox suggests, Aquasure should stick the cuts back together again. It would probably be worth reinforcing the bottom edge with a couple of centimeters of hand-stitching (in the nylon only, not the neoprene).

Definitely worth trying, before anything more drastic (or expensive).

 

[Flotsam]

Just glue it together with wet suit/neoprene glue.

 

[topcat]

When I first started caving we made our own wetsuits for caving from kits, taping the seams, and getting high on the glue fumes. I'm sure you will be able to find suitable materials online, for a prettier job there are a number of companies who'll be willing to take your money. Although in this day and age it will probably be cheaper to buy a new wetsuit, Aldi have some on sale at present.

This was quite expensive and has the addition of a dry suit relief zip, so no change out of 300. I'm not replacing it with an Aldi one !
I'll have a go DIY, given that it is not in a super critical place, but will pass it on to the pros if I don't like the result.
When worn it s not a high stress area, but it is high stress when taking it off....[unless you have the assistance of two young nurses...]

 

[LadyMud]

" unless you have the assistance of two young nurses ..."
Stop teasing us, and tell us the rest of the story!

 

[topcat]

There isn't a caving story attached, I just know a lot of medical professionals

 

[Pitlamp]

Don't use Aquasure to attempt to stick it together, as suggested above. I't's not a cement, it's a "repair compound". Join the pieces together with neoprene cement then strengthen these seams with thin beads of Aquasure - thinner on the inside to avoid scratchiness.

Or, when are you likely to call at Greenclose next? I may be able to supply you with two brand spanking new 5 mm wetsuit legs. Email me direct if interested.

 

[topcat]

Two new legs sounds perfect.....one of mine is broken and the other one is kind of worn out......

oh hang on....just wetsuit leg s.......still a good deal; I'll mail you direct....thanks.

 

[Ed]

Sew together with dental floss the aquasure or black witch over the sewing.

It's an old surfers method. Dental floss is waterproof and been flat doesn't cut the neoprene

 

[royfellows]

I have always used the old Bostik Inpact Adhesive and glued edge to edge, then glued tape over the top to strengthen. Similar to how wetsuits were made from scratch before they became available ready made. My age probably shows here!