Drysuit seals part 2

[NuclearBuckshot]

A week or so ago I posted a thread that asked for help with my drysuit neck and wrist seal. In particular how best to have them trimmed. After a few of you said to check with my local shop. Well having done this and been told "I don't trim them because I don't want to be liable if I mess it up. But I'll talk you through it." So then I decided to hit the net and watch some videos. While it doesn't appear all that hard I'm still leery of taking a razor to the part of the suit that's responsible for keeping me dry. So my question is this, are there any tricks to ensuring a good cut without the possibility of tearing later? And What should I do to help lubricate the zipper. Its become very hard to use.

Thank you,
Scott

 

[Mitchell Teeters]

Scott I was told to make as continuous cut as possible on the seals no matter how you do it. As far as the zipper. I use mcnett zipper lube.

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[Aquabot]

A week or so ago I posted a thread that asked for help with my drysuit neck and wrist seal. In particular how best to have them trimmed. After a few of you said to check with my local shop. Well having done this and been told "I don't trim them because I don't want to be liable if I mess it up. But I'll talk you through it." So then I decided to hit the net and watch some videos. While it doesn't appear all that hard I'm still leery of taking a razor to the part of the suit that's responsible for keeping me dry. So my question is this, are there any tricks to ensuring a good cut without the possibility of tearing later? And What should I do to help lubricate the zipper. Its become very hard to use.

Thank you,
Scott

From what I've read 1: use a new razor blade for every cut 2: put some kind of jug in the neck seal before you cut. 3: cut off very little at a time. As for the zipper they make zipper wax/lube just for that reason of zippers becoming difficult.

I'm not a dry suit diver (yet) but this is just what I've read. Hopefully somebody with more experience and knowledge will be along shortly. Best of luck !

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[divezonescuba]

1. Use a Fiskar circular blade cutter available at hobby lobby etc.
2. Use a piece of tubing like 4 or 5 inch pvc pipe.
3. Use a sheet of paper to help you mark a completely level circle with a sharpie. You can also use a piece of thin cardboard as a guide instead of marking the guide line.
4. Work slowly and do not pick up the cutter from the rubber as you go around.

If you mess up, install a sitech neck seal so you won't have to worry about this again. Just make sure that you get the version that doesn't accidentally invert.

 

[Peter_C]

I have been using a sharp pair of scissors to trim seals for over a decade without issues. It is not rocket science, just trim a little at a time.

After a proper cleaning use a paraffin based wax. I prefer the McNett that looks like an oversize Chapstick.

 

[TSandM]

The key to trimming neck seals is to do it under mild stretch. If you use scissors, try to minimize the number of times you have to reset -- a long, smooth, slow slice is much better than multiple nicks. If you use a razor, the big danger is that the blade will bind and pull the seal, rather than cutting it. When that releases, you get a notch in the seal which will eventually initiate a tear. VERY sharp blades on either scissors or razor are key. Rotary cutters, such as you can buy at fabric shops, make the process a bit easier, but you still have to be careful that you are pressing hard enough to cut all the way through, and not pulling and causing binding.

 

[Matt S.]

To eliminate blade drag, I found a cardboard oats package (as backing) and a new razor blade to be a great combo. A plastic backing, like PVC, makes it harder to make a smooth cut because the blade sticks more.

 

[Dive Right In Scuba]

Best way to do it right here....feel free to drive over and I will personally trim you up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEtgWZli6SI

On the Zipper, don't just add more wax. You need to clean the zipper first. Grab an old tooth brush and some MEK or Acetone. Make sure you use a toothbrush and not a metal brush....obvious reasons here I'm pretty sure you are catching on...scrub the old wax out with the toothbrush and Acetone. THEN, rewax your zipper...VIOLA....SMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTH zip pulls again