Need a good drysuit glue?

[Barracuda2]

I'm asking this question here because I know we have a lot of drysuit divers. The glue on my wrist cuffs is just plain old and dried out. One of them has come loose and I need to glue it back on. I'm also going to do the other sleeve as well. I found a perfect size mayo jar that I can fit into the sleeve and expand it so all I have to do is glue and fit the rubber sleeve seal back over the shell part of the suit and let it dry. I need the brand name of a good sealent glue that will work. Thanks for your ideas.

 

[RonFrank]

I'm asking this question here because I know we have a lot of drysuit divers. The glue on my wrist cuffs is just plain old and dried out. One of them has come loose and I need to glue it back on. I'm also going to do the other sleeve as well. I found a perfect size mayo jar that I can fit into the sleeve and expand it so all I have to do is glue and fit the rubber sleeve seal back over the shell part of the suit and let it dry. I need the brand name of a good sealent glue that will work. Thanks for your ideas.

I'm not expert, but when one of my seams started to lift, I just put some aquaseal under it, clamped it down with wax paper between the blocks of wood I used to get it flat, and it worked fine.

I'm sure you will get other advice as well. I think the DUI website has a good write-up on drysuit repair along with some product suggestions. Unfortunately my home puter crashed recently, and I lost a lot of my bookmarks so I don't have the link :06:

 

[gtxl1200]

Fire off a Pm to Tinybubbles he is the master of all DIY projects I know he was going to put a new neck seal on his dry suit during the off season. So he should be able to tell you exactly which glue to buy and more then likely the cheapest place to get it. But as we all know Ray aka Tiny bubbles he probably made his own adhesive.

 

[moneysavr]

I use Aqua seal,
Its like the Gorila Glue of diving!!!!!
The big thing is the prep you got to clean up and out all the old glue use your fingers and roll it off,
A DM just had a nice read up in the DIY forum on new seals ect, you may go up and read pluss books on the subject,
But your local LDS will have the Aqua seal in a 2 part kit!
Good luck get that suit fixed dive season opens now!!!
Dive safe,
Brad

 

[Uncle Pug]

Only glue to use if you want it to stay put is: PB-300

This glue, by OS Systems, can be applied like contact adhesive, allowing multiple coats to dry on both pieces. PB-300 dries VERY fast so it won't take long at all to apply multiple coats. When dry the pieces can be positioned together without the glue adhering allowing you to make positioning adjustments if necessary. Then gently heat the area with a heat gun (on low) or a hair dryer (on high) to activate the glue and apply compression by roller or mallet. Lifting and edge and directing heat between the pieces progressively is a good method.

The best part is that once you've heat activated and then joined the pieces your job is done. No need to wait for glue to dry... go diving.

Aquaseal.... OK for sealing holes if you have time to wait... but not for attaching stuff IMO. I finally got tired of gluing my drysuit pockets back on and went to PB-300.

TIP: Clean surfaces by wiping with MEK before applying PB-300. MEK can also be used to activate the dried PB-300 instead of using heat. Wipe one of the surfaces with MEK and then join. I prefer heat activation.

 

[MSilvia]

The "2 part kit" is aquaseal with a small bottle of Cotol, which isn't necessary but accelerates the curing process so it'll be set in 2 hours instead of overnight. Aquaseal (with or without Cotol) is definately what I'd recommend for attaching a pocket or something, but unlike some other glues, it cannot be released with heat. I think there are solvents available for it, but I'm not sure about that and haven't had occasion to try any of them.

 

[Barracuda2]

Thanks guys. This why this board is so great! When I started reading your responses, I grabbed a pencil and paper and wrote much of this info down to use.

Man, that PB 300 sounds like wicked stuff! Maybe I better hook the reg up on a tank, and grab my mask before I start to use that. I'm also going to check out tinybubbles; thanks Brad.

 

[Uncle Pug]

Just like contact adhesive... do it in a closed space and you will end up loopy for a while. With proper ventilation it isn't bad at all.... and Methyl Ethyl Ketone is best used with skin and eye protection.

But if you want a bomb proof job that is both quick and easy this is it.

For attaching pockets and such I locate the pocket on the drysuit and then outline the area with masking tape. I brush PB-300 in a 1"~1.5" wide border around the suit side of the pocket and also within the area outlined on the suit by the tape. When several coats are dry, the tape can be removed and the pocket positioned perfectly before heat or MEK activation. If you get to the dive site an extra half hour before the dive you could do it in the parking lot.

 

[Nitrox Junkie]

You can get the MEK at Home Depot in the paint dept...

Here are some instructions from O.S Systems website;

http://www.ossystems.com/repair/repr.htm

 

[RonFrank]

Just like contact adhesive... do it in a closed space and you will end up loopy for a while. With proper ventilation it isn't bad at all.... and Methyl Ethyl Ketone is best used with skin and eye protection.

But if you want a bomb proof job that is both quick and easy this is it.

For attaching pockets and such I locate the pocket on the drysuit and then outline the area with masking tape. I brush PB-300 in a 1"~1.5" wide border around the suit side of the pocket and also within the area outlined on the suit by the tape. When several coats are dry, the tape can be removed and the pocket positioned perfectly before heat or MEK activation. If you get to the dive site an extra half hour before the dive you could do it in the parking lot.

Hey Pug,

I've been thinking of adding a pocket to my drysuit (Bare NexGen). Any good recommendations on where to get a pocket and what pocket to purchase? Your glue sounds like a winner. One reason I have been shying away from adding a pocket is that I just don't like the idea of attaching it with aquaseal

I'm sure this info is available on the board somewhere, but heck if I can get a quick answer