PVC suit repair?

[Getwet]

I have a Yellow PVC caving suit that is starting to show wear and small tares around the backside and hip area, although the fabric has no been properly worn through yet

Anyone know how to prolong its life, patch repair etc that is worth the effort, or is it just a case of replacement when it gets too bad?

 

[paul]

Patching sure is worth the effort! Mine has quite a few after a couple of years regular use - it's a Meander and came with a repair kit.

Just cut a patch out of similar material (I don't know where you can buy it but I have always cut bits of old suits beyond repair), ensure the patch has rounded corners (straight corners tend to lift) and apply PVC glue, press down firmly an leave to dry overnight.

Some say apply the patch inside, most seem to apply outside (put a tissue inside to stop gluing two sides of the suit together!).

 

[damian]

You can buy repair kits from Inglesport for very little money. It comes with PVC and glue.

For what it's worth, I use wine/beer bottles to hold down the patches while they dry. There must be better things though!

 

[nickwilliams]

Just cut a patch out of similar material (I don't know where you can buy it but I have always cut bits of old suits beyond repair), ensure the patch has rounded corners (straight corners tend to lift) and apply PVC glue, press down firmly an leave to dry overnight.

Some say apply the patch inside, most seem to apply outside (put a tissue inside to stop gluing two sides of the suit together!).

I say outside is better - the ragged edges of the hole always lift more quickly than the straight edges of the patch.

Rounded corners is very important, but making sure the suit is scrupulously clean before you glue the patch on is even more important. I steam cleaned my Meander (with a hot pressure washer) before gluing a patch on. In the past I've put a TSA through a warm wash cycle in a washing machine to achieve the same effect (good idea to pressure wash it first to keep the worst of the crud out of the washing machine though!)

 

[graham]

...good idea to pressure wash it first to keep the worst of the crud out of the washing machine though!)

There speaks a married man. :wink:

 

[SamT]

Found this on and old thread about this

Sew up big rips (I use kite string a big needle and a pair of pliers), cut out the patch & round the corners off. Draw round the patch on the oversuit, so you can easily locate it on the suit when covered with glue.

Rough up the patch and oversuit with sand paper, and most importantly before glueing degrease all surfaces to be glued with Meths or something similar (I had to use schnapps once when nothing else was available-worked ok!).

Apply the glue to both surfaces (being careful to go slightly outside the line drawn on the suit) wait for it to go tacky & stick them together. Place a piece of paper inside the suit under the rip and one over the patch, then stick a heavy weight on top for a few hours.

I have used a few tins of Warmbac PVC adheasive (£5) on tackle sacks/oversuits with this method and none of the patches have ever come off. Last week I also had to repair a rip in my brand new meander Evil or Very Mad using the tube of glue and patch that came with it (sold separately at £1.50) which seems pretty good.


Simon.

 

[nickwilliams]

There speaks a married man.

Indeed, but more significantly, it's the voice of the person who has to mend the washing machine when it goes wrong!

Nick.

 

[potholer]

If you have one available, a big bench vice can be really good for applying the necessary pressure, with some strips of wood and a little newspaper padding to spread the force.

 

[Getwet]

Cheers, thanks for the advice, I will get sticking soon.

 

[braveduck]

I have been reparing PVC "green suits" for several years now using industrial super glue.
Instant repare ,but put polythene inside to avoid disaster.
Stand on it for instant bond,using poythene bag to protect foot.
I once glued my slipper to the knee of a suit.
Decrative, but not very practical!!