Older Whites Dry Suit Help?

[Jason Cottier]

I am trying to do some repairs on my older whites polar flex dry suit. The suit has a neoprene bottom 2/3 and bilaminate upper1/3. I believe the seams are all sealed with a poly urethane adhesive; which is why manufacturer does not recommend aquaseal for seal replacement. However they have this heat tape that seems to be an ultra guarded secret. As I understand it, the most effective replacement is to remove existing wrist/neck seal and re-attatch over existing, but cleaned surface, with this magic heat tape.

My questions
1. What exactly is this heat tape? Is it a polyurethane adhesive? If so are there others on the market that are not proprietary but just as effective?

2. What is the inner layer of this bilaminate made of? Is it urethane? It is clear and shiny.

3. Does the urethane tape bond to the inner bilaminate surface because it is a like material or because the urethane tape sticks to anything?

4. Can I install the Si-Tech system on this suit? If so what adhesive can I use then?

I have been all over western Canada and Dive Rite Systems looking for these answers. Some credible feed back would be awesome!

Jason

 

[decompression]

I'll send this to my friend who was the repair tech at the factory.


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---------- Post added February 27th, 2015 at 09:14 PM ----------

You can email him at BrookeCooper2011@gmail.com

Tell him jay Schier gave you his email. Hope it works out.


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[Jason Cottier]

Hey thanks Jay,

If you forwarded my email I'll give it a bit before I send one directly. Thanks a lot!

Jay

 

[decompression]

I copied the post and sent that to him, feel free to email any time you want. [emoji3]


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[wwunder]

Hi Jason, I can't answer your technical questions, but I can say that the dry adhesive tape is worth using. I have used it now on both neck and wrist seals and its a dream to work with. You can replace the seals in about 15 minutes and be ready to hop in the water immediately. I got mine from the local whites dealer for about $10 and I got enough to do two wrist seals. I think Dive Rite In Scuba sells it online, I checked by the shipping to Canada made it impractical for a small order. If you find a supply online I would be interested in picking up some more. For quick repairs I have found "tear-Aid" works well on the inside of old whites suits. I think it was type A, but I'm not positive.

I use the skana glove system so I didn't explore gluing in the cuffs.

 

[Jason Cottier]

Apparently Whites will not sell direct anymore. However a LDS that is an aqualung dealer said I could buy a 100' roll for about $200. Maybe we should split a roll if you're interested?

Jason

 

[wwunder]

That sucks... the local shop here stocks it because they use it for all their suit repairs. At $2 a foot plus shipping I probably wouldn't be interested. I paid about $3.40 a foot here, but only had to buy what I needed. It would be nice to have an extra 10' or so around, but i couldn't use 50.

 

[Jason Cottier]

Maybe I could buy some from you or which shop is it? I could order some and have it shipped to me. I see your from Victoria.

 

[wwunder]

It Frank Whites Dive Store. Try giving them a call.

 

[grf88]

This stuff works great:
DRIS Dive Gear Dry Adhesive Drysuit Tape | Dive Right In Scuba - Plainfield, IL - Dive Right in Scuba
I am sure it could be sent in a padded envelope at little cost. Give them a call they are always very helpful.