stretching/cutting seals

[HPT3]

Im looking into a Henderson drysuit. The seals are neoprene. Do they get cut or do they get stretched? The wrists seals look like there is little room for error. If they get stretched, do I have to stretch them each time before a dive?

 

[DA Aquamaster]

You can normally stretch a neoprene seal by placing it over a suitable sized object overnight. Don't over do it though as the stretch is fairly permanent.

Trimming the seals can cause problems with the seams unraveling etc.

 

[SubMariner]

You can normally stretch a neoprene seal by placing it over a suitable sized object overnight. Don't over do it though as the stretch is fairly permanent.

Trimming the seals can cause problems with the seams unraveling etc.

DA is right; neoprene seals respond well to overnight stretching. Since both Pearce & I have this type of seal on our DUI TLS 350 drysuits, we tend to use small pop bottles (soda bottles for you non-Canucks ) for the wrists and scuba cylinders for the necks.

If the suit is not used for a long time, you may have to re-stretch the seals. Once a season is usually sufficient during the first couple of years you own the suit. But try it on first to see how tightly it fits.

Bonne chance,

 

[HPT3]

Thank you

 

[Bob3]

In addition to the above excellent advice, new neoprene will eventually take on a permanent set, how much time depends on how often you go diving.
After it's broken in you can trim if you really need to, & just dab some wetsuit cement on the threads to keep them in place.