mustang_5l
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How to install bellows pockets on your 3mm wetsuit or any wetsuit for that matter.
Ive decided to write this article since there is a lack of information and pictures on DIY wetsuit pocket installation information out there... and I was bored.
The wetsuit I am using is the Bare 3/2. I opted for the Golem gear pockets (Golem Gear Pocket For Dry Suit ) as they are big and cheap. (They were on sale for $25ea when I bought them.) They are only rivalled by my Halcyon Explorer pockets on my drysuit.
The backing of the pockets is made of neoprene so I opted for the black neoprene cement.( ISC Catalog : Liquids & Adhesives ) ... and because its all the local dive store carried. Ive also heard you can use aquaseal, however it is not recommended as there is no stretchiness to it.
First I started by donning the wetsuit. I placed my hands inside the pockets with my fingers touching the bottom of the pockets. I then placed them against my thighs. This is a two person job so I had my wife help me with the aligning of the pockets to make sure they were symmetrical. I then had her trace the outline of the pockets on the wetsuit with a white seamstress pencil ($2.00 for several at the local dollar store). From there I removed the wetsuit and proceeded to the garage. I stole my wifes ironing board without telling her and stretched the first leg onto the board. In case you didnt know... neoprene will compress when not being stretched. If you didnt know this stop and dont continue...
Moving along... I stretched the first leg over the ironing board and used a few clamps I had laying around to help hold it in place and take the approximate shape that was traced on the leg. Close but not perfect is fine.
I then used some masking tape and with the pocket laid out on top of the leg I masked off the entire perimeter of the pocket including the edges. I
I would just like to mention that if you have any shiny labelling or surfaces that are not neoprene (like the bare logo) I suggest that you scuff it up before applying the cement to aid in adhesion. I didnt and have not had any issues. But it is an area of possible weakness later on down the road.
I then removed the pocket and placed it aside.
Put on some disposable nitrile gloves, you dont want this stuff getting all over your hands and everywhere else. This stuff is sticky and messy even with the brush in the can. I coated the entire masked off area with a coating of the neoprene cement. It gets sucked into the neoprene quick.
While that was drying... approximately 5-10minutes I coated the back side of the first pocket.
And allowed that to dry 5-10 minutes while that was drying I went back to the drysuit for coat # 2 and then back to the pocket
For the third coat I really lathered on what was left in the can for both the suit and the pocket.
BTW you will need 1 x 4oz can for each pocket to be installed. Luckily for me the dive shop had one more in stock.
I let both the pocket and wetsuit become dry to the touch. About 10-15minutes or less with the help of a heat gun
There may be a few wet looking spots but that is fine. Just past the point of tacky. You can feel this with your gloves.
Now, remove the masking tape. The area where you will put the pocket should clearly be visible.
Put on a fresh clean pair of gloves and pick up the pocket. Position it over the wetsuit IN THE PROPER DIRECTION! (You only have 1 shot at this so dont f#$% it up!) Then when you are satisfied with the positioning allow the wet sides to contact each other. It will then be stuck and you wont be able to adjust it anymore. Pat it down all over and use your trusty coke can or beer bottle to roll out any bubbles that may be trapped between the materials. Pay close attention to the edges as they are the areas where you can have issues later on if not done properly.
Now once you are satisfied that there are no bubbles find something flat and heavy to place over top of the pocket to help press it together while the cement sets. I used an old camping skillet loaded with spare weights I had lying around.
Leave it for 24hours and then remove weights and check for proper adhesion. If you followed these directions you should have a properly cemented pocket...
Remove the leg from the ironing board and get ready to do it all over again with a second pocket n the other leg if you need to have another pocket.
Some people say you should have these pockets sewn on but others say the neoprene materiel of the suit is too thin to withstand repeated use. Having them glued on works for me just fine.
Ill post the pictures of the finished product once the second pocket dries tomorrow.
PS don't tell my wife I used the ironing board!
John
Ive decided to write this article since there is a lack of information and pictures on DIY wetsuit pocket installation information out there... and I was bored.
The wetsuit I am using is the Bare 3/2. I opted for the Golem gear pockets (Golem Gear Pocket For Dry Suit ) as they are big and cheap. (They were on sale for $25ea when I bought them.) They are only rivalled by my Halcyon Explorer pockets on my drysuit.
The backing of the pockets is made of neoprene so I opted for the black neoprene cement.( ISC Catalog : Liquids & Adhesives ) ... and because its all the local dive store carried. Ive also heard you can use aquaseal, however it is not recommended as there is no stretchiness to it.
First I started by donning the wetsuit. I placed my hands inside the pockets with my fingers touching the bottom of the pockets. I then placed them against my thighs. This is a two person job so I had my wife help me with the aligning of the pockets to make sure they were symmetrical. I then had her trace the outline of the pockets on the wetsuit with a white seamstress pencil ($2.00 for several at the local dollar store). From there I removed the wetsuit and proceeded to the garage. I stole my wifes ironing board without telling her and stretched the first leg onto the board. In case you didnt know... neoprene will compress when not being stretched. If you didnt know this stop and dont continue...
Moving along... I stretched the first leg over the ironing board and used a few clamps I had laying around to help hold it in place and take the approximate shape that was traced on the leg. Close but not perfect is fine.
I then used some masking tape and with the pocket laid out on top of the leg I masked off the entire perimeter of the pocket including the edges. I
I would just like to mention that if you have any shiny labelling or surfaces that are not neoprene (like the bare logo) I suggest that you scuff it up before applying the cement to aid in adhesion. I didnt and have not had any issues. But it is an area of possible weakness later on down the road.
I then removed the pocket and placed it aside.
Put on some disposable nitrile gloves, you dont want this stuff getting all over your hands and everywhere else. This stuff is sticky and messy even with the brush in the can. I coated the entire masked off area with a coating of the neoprene cement. It gets sucked into the neoprene quick.
While that was drying... approximately 5-10minutes I coated the back side of the first pocket.
And allowed that to dry 5-10 minutes while that was drying I went back to the drysuit for coat # 2 and then back to the pocket
For the third coat I really lathered on what was left in the can for both the suit and the pocket.
BTW you will need 1 x 4oz can for each pocket to be installed. Luckily for me the dive shop had one more in stock.
I let both the pocket and wetsuit become dry to the touch. About 10-15minutes or less with the help of a heat gun
There may be a few wet looking spots but that is fine. Just past the point of tacky. You can feel this with your gloves.Now, remove the masking tape. The area where you will put the pocket should clearly be visible.
Put on a fresh clean pair of gloves and pick up the pocket. Position it over the wetsuit IN THE PROPER DIRECTION! (You only have 1 shot at this so dont f#$% it up!) Then when you are satisfied with the positioning allow the wet sides to contact each other. It will then be stuck and you wont be able to adjust it anymore. Pat it down all over and use your trusty coke can or beer bottle to roll out any bubbles that may be trapped between the materials. Pay close attention to the edges as they are the areas where you can have issues later on if not done properly.
Now once you are satisfied that there are no bubbles find something flat and heavy to place over top of the pocket to help press it together while the cement sets. I used an old camping skillet loaded with spare weights I had lying around.
Leave it for 24hours and then remove weights and check for proper adhesion. If you followed these directions you should have a properly cemented pocket...
Remove the leg from the ironing board and get ready to do it all over again with a second pocket n the other leg if you need to have another pocket.
Some people say you should have these pockets sewn on but others say the neoprene materiel of the suit is too thin to withstand repeated use. Having them glued on works for me just fine.
Ill post the pictures of the finished product once the second pocket dries tomorrow.
PS don't tell my wife I used the ironing board!
John
