Repairing a Polyurethane Drysuit

[g2]

My Viking Xtreme polyurethane drysuit has held up very well but now needs everything: Neck seal, zipper, boots...

I've tried several glues, including neoprene cement and Aquaseal, and nothing sticks to polyurethane! Aquaseal peels right off like a Post-It note.

Apparently Viking made it using RF welding, but I can't find an affordable hand-held RF welder. That leaves adhesives and heat guns... Any ideas?

 

[Frogman82]

I think you may want to try the dry adhesive tape dive right in scuba sells, that should stick to polyurethane. Or try a two part pvc inflatable boat adhesive. I personally use bostik ne486 for suit repairs and it should work with polyurethane material.

 

[Jack Hammer]

I would call DRIS, they work on those suits and also sell DIY stuff for repairs. They can tell you exactly what to use.

 

[g2]

I think you may want to try the dry adhesive tape dive right in scuba sells, that should stick to polyurethane. Or try a two part pvc inflatable boat adhesive. I personally use bostik ne486 for suit repairs and it should work with polyurethane material.

Thanks. The bostik adhesive is unavailable where I live but I do have some PVC glue I can try. I'll look into the adhesive tape.

 

[lexvil]

I would just pull the valves and get a new suit.

 

[g2]

I would just pull the valves and get a new suit.

That's the fallback option.

If I can repair it myself, it may be worth it. If I need to send it out... might as well just buy a new one.

 

[lexvil]

That's the fallback option.

If I can repair it myself, it may be worth it. If I need to send it out... might as well just buy a new one.

The zipper is the most expensive part of the deal, a few years ago I was going to try to replace my own, first I ordered a neoprene Seaskin so I could keep diving, next I looked at all that was involved with doing a zipper followed closely by sending the suit to DRIS.

With the present exchange rate the Seaskin is really hard to beat.

 

[g2]

DRIS recommended their drysuit glue, which I already have and tried (peels right off). Haven't tried the PVC glue yet. Seaskin, as a replacement, was also recommended by a friend... worth considering.

 

[lexvil]

DRIS recommended their drysuit glue, which I already have and tried (peels right off). Haven't tried the PVC glue yet. Seaskin, as a replacement, was also recommended by a friend... worth considering.

Did you do any surface prep before the glue, like sanding and lacquer thinner?

 

[g2]

Sanding has no effect (really!). My suit is the demo model that the Viking rep used in a YouTube video where he uses a metal file on the suit (2:30) and it doesn't leave a mark.

That leaves chemical means... Haven't tried lacquer thinner yet, that's worth a try.