Latex Seal: Premature Degradation

[hardhat]

Cold water diver and bob3 have it right. Pump spray silicone is something else that you can used to keep you seals in good shape. Some thing else that beaks down latex and makes them go sticky like you describe is human body oils, sweat, Use telk to get into your seals, they like that and you probablly will too. We use deluted hair shampoo to clean suits aroun dthe shop I'm at, about a teaspoon or two to a couple of gallons of water, and we use an insecticide, pump-up type srayer to apply the mixture, let it sit for a couple of minute and then hose it off well, and let it dry. Then the ssilicone sray rubbed into the seals well, then you can telk them, tuck them into the suit and store it untill you're ready to use it again.

 

[rmediver2002]

I have had problems replacing seals on suits that had silicone used on them in the past (remember typoons special silicone impregnated powder?)

Anyone else run into the same?

 

[hardhat]

We recomend the dow pump spray silicone (food grade)to every-one that buy dry suits from our shop. We replace a lot torn seals for people and have never had problems getting the new ones to stick. Rough up the old and new surfaces and use viking two part latex seal glue and you shouldn't have any troubles with seal replacement. Oh and use a barrier cream on your hands so you don't get any oils from your skin on the surfaces, as the oil will sometime prevent the glue from sticking.

 

[Bob3]

I have had problems replacing seals on suits that had silicone used on them in the past (remember typoons special silicone impregnated powder?)

Anyone else run into the same?

When Viking came out with their new suit, the Xtreme, I soaked both material samples and seal trimmings in silicone overnight; I did a normal "degrease-scuff-degrease" on them & would up with a frogbutt-tight glue job. I also use liberal amounts of silicone on my Unisuits, with never a glue problem.
Material type & surface prep are the big factors.
Heck, I'd store all my stuff in a vat of silicone if I could.

 

[cburgert]

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.

What about unscented baby powder?

 

[Boarderguy]

What about unscented baby powder?

20 year revival. Good job

 

[cburgert]

19 1/2 year revival.