Misaligned Tooth in Dry Suit Zipper

[tregrrr]

no recollection of the specific glues used... this was 2 years ago and all remember was my friend being mighty disappointed and pulling off the now mucked up OMS pockets he had waited weeks for upon arrival back on the diveboat.

From what I recall they just tried standard neoprene adhesives (with a cleaner/activator) and only looked at (decided against using due to label being smeared beyond reading) the Viking adhesive.

Oh yeah and about the seals being glued on.... The trick we used was to just trim off the old seal leaving a good band of latex for the new seal to adhere to. it was made abundantly clear to the 3 people who dove those nexgen suits out of the shop that when the seals blow YOU DO NOT WANT to pull off any of the old seal material. once the new latex is sandwiching the old, there is very little by way of further deterioration.

 

[bighiller]

Bare tells me that the zipper is RF welded...

This is looking more BS every second.

Do I cut off the old zipper and glue it?
Do I send it in for repair?
Do I just buck up and buy a new suit?

Damn...

More research....

 

[bighiller]

Just thought I would post my conversation with Bare and show how useful this company is.

Fuqing useless. Thanks Bare.

"Dive Web E-mail" <Dive@baresports.com> wrote on 17/02/2010 09:10:29 AM:

> Hello Mike,
>
> Due to Liability issues, we can not address your questions. Very sorry.
>
> Best regards,
>
>
> Customer Service
>
> FitzWright Co. Ltd. / Bare Sportswear Corp.
> 5760 Production Way, Langley, BC, Canada, V3A 4N4
> Tel: 604.533.7848 ext 1 Fax: 604.530.8812
> dive@baresports.com, BARE Sports, Amer Sports - Performance products for active sports
>
>
> Are there any alternatives to RF welding? Would PB-300 work?
>
> "Dive Web E-mail" <Dive@baresports.com> wrote on 17/02/2010 08:49:56 AM:
>
> > Hi Mike, We don't use glue, these zippers are RF welded onto the suit.
> > Thank you
> >
> >
> > Customer Service
> >
> > FitzWright Co. Ltd. / Bare Sportswear Corp.
> > 5760 Production Way, Langley, BC, Canada, V3A 4N4
> > Tel: 604.533.7848 ext 1 Fax: 604.530.8812
> > dive@baresports.com, BARE Sports, Amer Sports - Performance products for active sports
> >
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > I've located a zipper for my dry suit and I'd like to know what kind
> > of cement you recommend for the dry suit material?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > "Dive Web E-mail" <Dive@baresports.com> wrote on 08/02/2010 02:07:20 PM:
> >
> > > Hello Mike,
> > >
> > > I'm afraid that we can not sell you the zipper due to liability issues.
> > >
> > > Very sorry,
> > >
> > >
> > > Customer Service
> > >
> > > FitzWright Co. Ltd. / Bare Sportswear Corp.
> > > 5760 Production Way, Langley, BC, Canada, V3A 4N4
> > > Tel: 604.533.7848 ext 1 Fax: 604.530.8812
> > > dive@baresports.com, BARE Sports, Amer Sports - Performance products for active sports
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Yes, the Melco heat tape which I have.
> > >
> > > I've repaired many dry suits and only ask for the zipper.
> > >
> > > This dry suit is my personal one so I don't mind screwing it up.
> > >
> > > "Dive Web E-mail" <Dive@baresports.com> wrote on 08/02/2010 12:02:16 PM:
> > >
> > > > Hello Mike,
> > > >
> > > > The zipper in the Nex Gen has to be installed with Heat Tape, in
> > > > which we have the facilities to do here.
> > > >
> > > > Best regards,
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Customer Service
> > > >
> > > > FitzWright Co. Ltd. / Bare Sportswear Corp.
> > > > 5760 Production Way, Langley, BC, Canada, V3A 4N4
> > > > Tel: 604.533.7848 ext 1 Fax: 604.530.8812
> > > > dive@baresports.com, BARE Sports, Amer Sports - Performance products for active sports
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Why can't I do it myself?
> > > >
> > > > I've done everything else to my dry suit and have all the
> > > > tools/cements/solvents.
> > > >
> > > > I'd just like the zipper.
> > > >
> > > > "Dive Web E-mail" <Dive@baresports.com> wrote on 08/02/2010 11:13:52 AM:
> > > >
> > > > > Hello Mike,
> > > > >
> > > > > The zipper in the Nex Gen has to be replaced here at our facility.
> > > > > The cost would be $349.95.
> > > > > Please call customer service at 604-533-7848 to obtain a return
> > > > > authorization number.
> > > > >
> > > > > Thank you for choosing BARE!
> > > > >
> > > > > Best regards,
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Customer Service
> > > > >
> > > > > FitzWright Co. Ltd. / Bare Sportswear Corp.
> > > > > 5760 Production Way, Langley, BC, Canada, V3A 4N4
> > > > > Tel: 604.533.7848 ext 1 Fax: 604.530.8812
> > > > > dive@baresports.com, BARE Sports, Amer Sports - Performance products for active sports

> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Hi,
> > > > >
> > > > > I'd like to know how much it would cost to purchase a new zipper for
> > > > > a NexGen suit?
> > > > >
> > > > > I live in vancouver and can pickup.
> > > > >
> > > > > Thanks,
> > > > >

 

[tregrrr]

kay.... is the zipper pooched where the zipper meets zipper or where zipper meets suit?? you might be able to cut the teeth off the old zipper and use standard adhesives to seal the new tape to the old tape like we did with seals.... since it is your own suit and you do not mind screwing it up.

Nice to see that the idiots know their product... looks like you got a level 1 csr at first (heat tape answer) and when you didnt roll over and book it in, they sent it to someone who knows the construction of the suits (rf welded)

At this point you are the only one who can decide if its worthwhile putting $??? into this suit or if you are better served by upgrading your suit. what is next on the failure list??

 

[ScubaInChicago]

I had a conversation with someone at a very reputable shop who just finished installing a zipper on a Bare DS and charged the above price.....His words after finishing it "NEVER AGAIN...(POS)".....and they sell and maintain hundreds of suits.....I hate to say it, but might be worth the money if you really like the suit....

 

[tregrrr]

SIC has a point, $349 is not that exorbitant of a price actually. I have heard it quoted for easy neoprene zipper renos....

Neoprene and viking are easy fixes
trilaminate not tooo bad
bi lam such as NexGen is a different creature

 

[bighiller]

I paid $400 for the suit used...

Paying $400 to get it fixed seems a little messed up.... The neck seal is also starting to degrade and the legs are a tiny bit short. Basically it's going to need A LOT of modification...

scuba = money pit

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Bare customer support was about as useful as I thought they would be. No surprise there.

$349 for a brand new zipper. That's expensive...but in the realm of reasonable for that kind of work. If you got the job done at any other drysuit repair shop, they would probably charge just about as much. And you live right near the Bare factory, so no shipping charges. That's nice.

You seem to have an adhesive that works on the suit (PB-300).
You have a source for a replacement drysuit zipper.
You may have some problems removing the existing zipper, but I guess the worst case scenario is that you just cut the teeth/zipper nubs out and then glue the new zipper on top.
Why not give DIY zipper replacement a shot?
A new suit is probably going to cost $1000+ anyway.

BTW, to get a handle on your cost per dive, how many dives have you put on your Nex-Gen?

 

[bighiller]

Yeah, the $400 used suit has saved me $$$ in rentals. I've gotten at least 60 dives out of it; ROI is good.

My thought is that I spend the money on getting a replacement zipper and then I'm unable to replace it. Then out goes a good $150.

I guess that's the gamble, but one I'm probably going to take.

 

[Diver0001]

You're over reacting.

They told you they would fix it for you but you want to do it yourself so they're telling you that they can't help you and can't give you advice incase you botch it and sue them.

Welcome to the modern world. I understand you find it irritating but it's a perfectly understandable response to your query.

As for the price, it's totally in the range I would have expected for this. Drysuit zippers are frigging expensive.

R..

Just thought I would post my conversation with Bare and show how useful this company is.

Fuqing useless. Thanks Bare.

"Dive Web E-mail" <Dive@baresports.com> wrote on 17/02/2010 09:10:29 AM:

> Hello Mike,
>
> Due to Liability issues, we can not address your questions. Very sorry.
>
> Best regards,
>
>
> Customer Service
>
> FitzWright Co. Ltd. / Bare Sportswear Corp.
> 5760 Production Way, Langley, BC, Canada, V3A 4N4
> Tel: 604.533.7848 ext 1 Fax: 604.530.8812
> dive@baresports.com, BARE Sports, Amer Sports - Performance products for active sports
>
>
> Are there any alternatives to RF welding? Would PB-300 work?
>
> "Dive Web E-mail" <Dive@baresports.com> wrote on 17/02/2010 08:49:56 AM:
>
> > Hi Mike, We don't use glue, these zippers are RF welded onto the suit.
> > Thank you
> >
> >
> > Customer Service
> >
> > FitzWright Co. Ltd. / Bare Sportswear Corp.
> > 5760 Production Way, Langley, BC, Canada, V3A 4N4
> > Tel: 604.533.7848 ext 1 Fax: 604.530.8812
> > dive@baresports.com, BARE Sports, Amer Sports - Performance products for active sports
> >
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > I've located a zipper for my dry suit and I'd like to know what kind
> > of cement you recommend for the dry suit material?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > "Dive Web E-mail" <Dive@baresports.com> wrote on 08/02/2010 02:07:20 PM:
> >
> > > Hello Mike,
> > >
> > > I'm afraid that we can not sell you the zipper due to liability issues.
> > >
> > > Very sorry,
> > >
> > >
> > > Customer Service
> > >
> > > FitzWright Co. Ltd. / Bare Sportswear Corp.
> > > 5760 Production Way, Langley, BC, Canada, V3A 4N4
> > > Tel: 604.533.7848 ext 1 Fax: 604.530.8812
> > > dive@baresports.com, BARE Sports, Amer Sports - Performance products for active sports
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Yes, the Melco heat tape which I have.
> > >
> > > I've repaired many dry suits and only ask for the zipper.
> > >
> > > This dry suit is my personal one so I don't mind screwing it up.
> > >
> > > "Dive Web E-mail" <Dive@baresports.com> wrote on 08/02/2010 12:02:16 PM:
> > >
> > > > Hello Mike,
> > > >
> > > > The zipper in the Nex Gen has to be installed with Heat Tape, in
> > > > which we have the facilities to do here.
> > > >
> > > > Best regards,
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Customer Service
> > > >
> > > > FitzWright Co. Ltd. / Bare Sportswear Corp.
> > > > 5760 Production Way, Langley, BC, Canada, V3A 4N4
> > > > Tel: 604.533.7848 ext 1 Fax: 604.530.8812
> > > > dive@baresports.com, BARE Sports, Amer Sports - Performance products for active sports
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Why can't I do it myself?
> > > >
> > > > I've done everything else to my dry suit and have all the
> > > > tools/cements/solvents.
> > > >
> > > > I'd just like the zipper.
> > > >
> > > > "Dive Web E-mail" <Dive@baresports.com> wrote on 08/02/2010 11:13:52 AM:
> > > >
> > > > > Hello Mike,
> > > > >
> > > > > The zipper in the Nex Gen has to be replaced here at our facility.
> > > > > The cost would be $349.95.
> > > > > Please call customer service at 604-533-7848 to obtain a return
> > > > > authorization number.
> > > > >
> > > > > Thank you for choosing BARE!
> > > > >
> > > > > Best regards,
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Customer Service
> > > > >
> > > > > FitzWright Co. Ltd. / Bare Sportswear Corp.
> > > > > 5760 Production Way, Langley, BC, Canada, V3A 4N4
> > > > > Tel: 604.533.7848 ext 1 Fax: 604.530.8812
> > > > > dive@baresports.com, BARE Sports, Amer Sports - Performance products for active sports

> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Hi,
> > > > >
> > > > > I'd like to know how much it would cost to purchase a new zipper for
> > > > > a NexGen suit?
> > > > >
> > > > > I live in vancouver and can pickup.
> > > > >
> > > > > Thanks,
> > > > >