Latex Seal: Premature Degradation

[TBone]

The outside of the neck seals on both of my drysuits seam to be infected with some kind of flesh-eating disease. Relatively new seals start getting sticky patches that slowly grow. Initially the patches are "tacky" like Post-It note glue. When it first happened on a used suit (with a new neck seal) I bought in April 2004, I figured I had contaminated the seal with one of the latex seal products I used, or perhaps the one time that I left my suit out in direct sunlight for 4 hours did it in. The suit's been in storage for about 3 months now, and the neck seal is a sticky mess (all stuck on itself) and is relatively easy to puncture with a finger.

The neck seal on my new DC drysuit (with about 50 dives on it) is starting to get "tacky" patches on the outside. I thought I'd learned a valuable lesson from my first suit, so the DC suit's NEVER been in direct sunlight, and its not been exposed to anything other than water, handsoap (twice), and occasional KY jelly.

Has anyone experience this problem? How can I stop the spread on my new suit? I seam to have a "reverse" latex allergy. Latex is breaking out in a rash from contact with me.

 

[Robert Phillips]

Are you storing it around an ozone producing device such as an Ionic Breeze or something of that sort? In your garage? CO and ozone will lessen the life of latex as well as any petroleum fumes and such. I keep my DS in my garage, which is probably a mistake, but I have an Ionic Breeze in the house and I figure the ozone will damage them more than the small amount of vehicle exhaust in the garage. In California our garages are well ventilated anyway.

 

[opiniongirl]

ha ha bizarro allergy...

Some hair products (shampoo, conditioner, gel, hairspray) can "wreck" (pun there..) havoc on seals. Also, latex coming into contact with neoprene and other materials can cause it to break down - store your suit separately from other equipment if you don't already.

Try a product called "Seal Saver" from Aquaseal - works wonders.

 

[Bob3]

Soap + oil = 'something' that eats latex. Some soaps/detergents are much worse than others.
If you use any soap at all, make sure it's not dish washing or otherwise concentrated & rinse the seals 3 times as much as you think is enough.
As already mentioned, ozone is a big mischief maker. Electric motors, hot water heaters are a couple other generating sources not mentioned.
The "Seal Saver" mentioned is a must have, and McNett also makes a UV protectant.
Be sure to store the suit in a cool area, in an airtight container.

Are you going to be replacing the things as a DIY project?

 

[TBone]

I only use shampoo. (No gel, conditioner, hairspray, etc.) And I use whatever my wife has in the shower.

My first suit, with just horrible degridation (getting worse in storage), is in a plastic bag in my bedroom. My new suit typically hangs out in the living room. It really hasn't been "stored." It's been diving 2-3 times/week since I bought it. As far as ozone is concerned, could a laundry room do it? The new suit gets dried on the outside in a wide-open laundry room (two passages with no doors.) Come to think of it, our electric water heater is in the same room. It is in the laundry room drying for no more than 15 hours at a time, 2-3 times/week.

Neither suit has ever been stored in an airtight container.

I have "303 Aerospace Protectant, SPF40 Sunscreen for your stuff". I bought it at REI. It's sold as a drysuit latex seal treatment in whitewater shops. I've only used it on my first suit.

What does "DIY" mean?

I'm thinking neoprene for my next neck seal.

 

[TBone]

DIY -- Do It Yourself. I haven't decided what to do with my old Mobby's suit. It needs all new seals. My DC suit has got some sticky spots on the neck seal, but not so bad that I have to replace it... yet.

Has anyone else had this sticky latex degredation? I also had it happen on a 20 year-old whitewater drysuit (in storage for 15 years), but that is to be expected.

I just don't want a repeat of what happened with the Mobby's. Could it really be because of ozone in my laundry room? Hard to believe.

 

[Bob3]

Has anyone else had this sticky latex degredation?

Yep, it's a common event.
Run (don't walk) down to your local shop & get some of McNett's "Seal Saver", it'll slow further deterioration down to a crawl. If your shop doesn't stock it or can't otherwise get some for you, PM me & I'll hook you up with a mailorder source.

Seal degredation is usually caused by several conditions, they'll gang up on ya & can turn even brand new seals to goo in under 6 months.
If you follow the basics your seals can last in excess of 10 years.
1. Keep them clean, no oil/soap residue.
2. Keep UV/sunlight exposure to a minimum.
3. Store in cool, airtight place/container, away from heat, ozone, or petroleum fumes.
4. Use a protectant; do not use any aerosols or automotive products. I'm a big fan of McNett, so get some of their UV blocker & "Seal Saver".
5. Trim your fingernails; a little sharp corner of a nail can act like a razor blade to a tightly stretched seal.

 

[ScubaDadMiami]

I also like McNett Products though I use McNett UVTech on mine. That's what the guy who changed the seals recommended to me (he does suit repairs for lots of people here in Florida).

My seals were replaced when I got the suit a year and a half ago. Other than rising, I use the UVTech after every couple of outings. They are still like new.

 

[cold water diver]

Don't to use baby powder on your latex seals as the perfume in it contains oil and will destroy your seals. Use non perfumed talc or wet suit eze by Trident.

 

[TBone]

Thanks for the input everyone. The root cause of the deterioration is probably ozone. The drysuit is no longer anywhere near my water heater and laundry appliances. I will also start using the McNett Seal Saver.

I'm also going to do some science. I'll place disposable latex gloves around the water heater and observe what happens over time. I'll report back on anything significant.