I've got a wetsuit about 4 years old and around the neck, the neoprene has gone all soft and sticky. I'm guessing the sunscreen has done a good job of dissolving it. (Makes you wonder what it does to skin). Whenever I use it now I end up with a black ring around my neck. Is there a fix for this apart from throwing it away?

A wettie manufacturer would not charge much to replace just the neck panel?

Cheapo method: there is a wetsuit repair stuff that is clear and rubbery like shoo goo ... it is for just filling a little tear up in neoprene. I've seen it at a few surf shops and I have used ti with success on a couple of wetties. You could use that to glue another piece of 2mm neoprene to the inside of the neck (maybe 30mm wide?)......problem solved

Mark, yes that may work. I've got an old fin cover I cut up for washers, I'll try gluing that to the collar.

LeStef said...

I miss Sandy Bay and Ralph Bay...

yar... and the bar at Nutgrove Beach and wood fired pizza...

Mark _australia said...

Cheapo method: there is a wetsuit repair stuff that is clear and rubbery like shoo goo ... it is for just filling a little tear up in neoprene. I've seen it at a few surf shops and I have used ti with success on a couple of wetties. You could use that to glue another piece of 2mm neoprene to the inside of the neck (maybe 30mm wide?)......problem solved

That's what I's do. The stuff I've used for repairs is called Aquaseal and available from a few surf shops. Get the clear stuff in the tube, and do the repair all at once cause this stuff goes rock hard in the tube, no matter how careful you are sealing it. I'd be pretty generous with it - and don't worry about the Aquaseal being on your skin (when dried). It's really remarkably comfortable - a bit like rubber.

easty said...

I was told recently that a better alternative is Sikaflex, but I've yet to try it. Can't see why it wouldn't work though.

You need to be careful there - Sikaflex is a brand aka like Sellys. Many types and applications. Some of thier products will eat neoprene. You need a neoprene glue / stable product.