Drawing patterns on wetsuit without staining or releasing chemicals

[Sbiriguda]

That sounds very good advice, I already contacted some local people to ask
In some shops they also have a customization service for t-shirts etc. I asked by email to Decathlon the same shop where I bought the suit but they didn't answer

It seems another option could be a paint called Spandesol, some people talk about it
Anyway by now silkscreen sounds the best option, I will ask around

I think I will check also in the websites of paint manufacturers
Some options would be:

Union Ink's Gloss Athletic Gloss (PATH)
Willflex Epic Performance ink
Plastisol

 

[aquacat8]

Golden Acrylics makes a fabric paint medium that you can mix with artist’s acrylic paint. That would probably stick to the fabric on the outside of a wetsuit, apply dry. You’re supposed to heat cure but don’t do that! The medium adds flexibility to the paint. Thin mostly with medium, not water, water weakens the paint. However Acrylic won’t stick to rubber or silicone. In fact no film forming paint really sticks well to rubber or silicone, though they may be stained. In my experience even without the medium acrylic makes a good fabric paint but don’t put it on thick or if will crack from flexing. In fact it is probably going to crack from stretching on neoprene, so a technique of misting or dotting it on might work best, essentially a dot or pointillist technique. Each dot of paint is separate so no cracking from stretching a continuous film. I also think you could use artist grade acrylic spray paint and a mask to make a pattern, mist on fine. Note these are not “non-toxic” options. With paint many pigments are toxic if you eat them but once cured if it stays in place and you don’t lick it no big deal. The thing is artist’s paints are rated for lightfastness, a 1 is most permanent. A lot of other stuff is going to fade. Artist’s grade paint markers would work too.

 

[aquacat8]

I have been thinking of making a “counter shaded” wetsuit with spray paint... camouflage coloration like a shark. For freediving. I have made a really cool powdery pattern before using oatmeal as a spray mask, and layering a couple colors. I made beautiful wrapping paper that way.

 

[Sbiriguda]

From your avatar I guess you are also into painting...
Thank you too for your suggestments

 

[Sbiriguda]

Concerning the counter shaded colors wetsuit I will give you this link
Mimetizzare una muta liscia
Bardi is an Italian champion of spearfishing and former member of the Italian navy seals
He explains his technique to color wetsuits with different kinds of surface (this link is about wetsuits with a smooth surface)
The link is only in Italian, if you like I can help you with translations, the process is quite simple anyway
"Trielina" is trichloroethylene
"Collaprene" is this one or similar
Gubra Collaprene: Amazon.it: Fai da te

 

[kelemvor]

Several dive shops in my town use the "puffy paint" stuff like that scribbles for class gear. However, I think they need it to come off eventually as they all sell and replace that class gear annually.

 

[aquacat8]

Post a pic of what you do!

 

[WetSEAL]

Here is a good pattern to draw:

New Striped Shark Mitigation Suit Prevents Shark Attacks - The Atlantic

 

[Sbiriguda]

Nice... They will believe you are a big poisonous eel or lionfish. If it really works it's a brilliant solution

 

[WetSEAL]

Nice... They will believe you are a big poisonous eel or lionfish. If it really works it's a brilliant solution

I think banded sea snake is more likely the origin of the black and white stripes.

For example, the mimic octopus likes to give itself black and white stripes and go into "snake form" in order to mimic the banded sea snake for protection.

As for the above Ted talk, I think they missed an obvious improved pattern...which would be to use the "invisible" texture as a background, and then drawn banded sea snakes going down the extremities. This would make it actually look like a bunch of banded sea snakes to the shark, rather than a giant stripey thing of the wrong proportions