Talc Powder on drysuits??

[DavidHickey]

I got my drysuit and it came with some talc powder, I've read the entire DUI owners manual and unless I missed it I could find nothing about applying the powder. I know I have seen others use it and have been told by one gentleman to use corn starch??? Is it just to allow your hands to slide in easier or does it help prolong the seal life? And when should you apply it? Just seems like it will make a mess.
Thanks
David

 

[H2Andy]

i was taught to store the suit with the seals powdered. this prevents "stickiness"
from forming and "gluing" the seal to the other side and/or for the material
to degrade.

(this of course in addition to using talc to get in and out of the suit)

 

[Jim Baldwin]

I was told years ago to use talc on latex seals and that it was okay to use baby powder on neoprene seals as the smell good stuff in baby powder was suppose to break down the latex.

I've used the cheap wal mart brand baby powder on my 7.5 mm O'Neil for the past five years with no problems. I bought a fabric suit last year at a real bargin and it had latex seal. I have used baby powder on the seals and haven't found them breaking down yet. The suit was almost given to me so I figured I could afford new seals if there was a problem. And I like that fact that I smell so good with the baby powder even after I'm sweating on a July dive.

Jim

I got my drysuit and it came with some talc powder, I've read the entire DUI owners manual and unless I missed it I could find nothing about applying the powder. I know I have seen others use it and have been told by one gentleman to use corn starch??? Is it just to allow your hands to slide in easier or does it help prolong the seal life? And when should you apply it? Just seems like it will make a mess.
Thanks
David

 

[cyklon_300]

serve two purposes.

One, they act as a lubricant to allow your hands to slide more easily into the seal.

Second, they absorb some of the oils from your skin which can promote degradation of the latex.

However, if it's hot outside and your wrists are sweaty, the talc/starch will gum up and not be an effective lube. I use a mild solution of soapy water in a spray bottle then.

It's also fun to watch some people's faces when I pull a ziploc of white powder out of my gear bag...

 

[jiveturkey]

If you have latex seals, you can also you KY Jelly. That'll get even more looks from the people on the boat.

 

[dbg40]

The talc is used to make it easier to slide the seals over your head, and hands, you should also apply a little to the seals after the suit is dry, and before you store it. Do not use powder that contains any perfumes as it will eventually damage the latex. You need to use a pure talc powder with nothing added. You can also get a spray bottle, and use a fiew drops of dish soap to spray the seals before donnong it. Just be sure to rinse the seal after use, and again, after it drys powder it before you store it.

 

[kaz1960]

Cheapest place to get talc (non-scented) is at your local pool table store. A very large bottle is very cheap. Use plenty.

Kaz

 

[Scubar]

I use Seal Saver, it's a McNett product. It protects and preserves the seals, I don't think it was ment as a lube but it seems to work. I have never used talc and have no problem pulling the neck seal over my head. The attached link will show you what the package looks like.

http://mcnett.baron-co.com/images/editor/sealsaver-main.jpg

 

[The Kraken]

Note: I am a very, very new dry suit diver!

Having said that, I prefer the pool hall talc.
I'm just not too keen on running my hands down the inside of my dry suit with K-Y Jelly all over them!

Eeeeeewwwwwww . . .

the K

 

[Hoosier]

I am using Talc, KY, and Soapy water. You can get the talc from NAPA. It is a darn cheap.... KY also works great. I also used some McNett Spray stuff, but DUI technician doesn't recommend any spray stuff when I talked with them....