HELP!!! drysuit prob!

[Chip938]

well i got a new drysuit and i used bees wax (as advised) on the zip and it seems like it is building up in the zipper 1. is this a prob and 2. how can i stop this????

 

[ae3753]

Yes, this is a problem. Old beeswax can trap debris (ex. sand) and shorten the lifespan of the zipper.

Clean the zipper after use with a toothbrush. Then reapply with a wax/lubricant.

I prefer McNett Max Wax Lubricant. Doesn't gunk up the zipper.

 

[dwhthediver]

I use the McNett Ziptech on mine, a soft wax and it doesn't build up, reapply every 4-5 dives I get mine here http://www.scubaemporium.com/Accessory-Drysuit/

 

[AbyssalPlains]

Pure bees wax is too soft. You need a product that has another component to make it more solid. Can't remember what it is, mine came with the drysuit, but it looks and feels just like a candle. I would get a candle containing some bees wax and that should do the trick.

 

[Kingpatzer]

beeswax is a fairly "old school" solution and not a good one.

The right answer has appeared several times, toothbrush and McNett!

 

[elan]

well i got a new drysuit and i used bees wax (as advised) on the zip and it seems like it is building up in the zipper 1. is this a prob and 2. how can i stop this????

whoever gave you that advise was wrong. Never use bees wax for on the zipper. I will do whatever it has done and then it's diffigult to get rid of it afterward. The one I use called Zipper - Ease by THE A.G.S Company it works great. But it's available in Canada and US not sure about your place. I also used paraffin but then figured out that the specialized zip lubricants work better for me.

 

[isomalt]

we use good old parfiran wax the kind grama used to seal jam its hard dosent gumm up and is cheap never had a problem with it but I live in a cold area dont know how it would work somwere hotter. good luck!

 

[Hickdive]

well i got a new drysuit and i used bees wax (as advised) on the zip and it seems like it is building up in the zipper 1. is this a prob and 2. how can i stop this????

Bees wax is fine. As you use the zip any build-up flakes off. Unlike liquid lubes bees wax doesn't cause sand and grit to stick to the zip teeth (take a finger rub it with beeswax and stick it in a sand pit, take the same finger, coat it in liquid lubricant and repeat, see the difference?)

Most liquid zip lubricants are silicon based, which apart from attracting sand and grit, actually do a good job of lubricating the zip. The trouble is that they gradually also impregnate the suit material around the zip. If you ever need to have the zip replaced then all that silicon has to be scrubbed off otherwise the adhesive won't work properly.

Parafin wax, or any hydrocarbon-based lubricant, isn't a good idea anywhere near latex seals.

Bees wax is also much cheaper (especially if bought in hardware store instead of a LDS) and won't leak or spill.

If you really must have a liquid lubricant for your zip I've heard good things about a 50/50 mix of dishwashing detergent and water, apparently it's also really good for lubricating seals when donning the suit.

 

[Pearldiver07]

we use good old parfiran wax the kind grama used to seal jam its hard dosent gumm up and is cheap never had a problem with it but I live in a cold area dont know how it would work somwere hotter. good luck!

Parafin wax works well in Texas - at least for me. Seems that the melting point is high enough that surface intervals don't cause a melt-down.

 

[elan]

Bees wax is fine. As you use the zip any build-up flakes off. Unlike liquid lubes bees wax doesn't cause sand and grit to stick to the zip teeth

It does get animals hair stuck a lot which does not let zip to close smooth. That was one of the problems why I did not like it as we have a cat and her hair was all on the zipper.