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Topic: Repairing latex wrist gaskets  (Read 2880 times)

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bb2fish

  • Sturgeon
  • *******
  • Location: Oregon
  • Date Registered: Feb 2013
  • Posts: 1501
My wrist gasket tore on my drysuit yesterday. Wide open tear, so not fixable, it must be replaced.  Where would I find a replacement gasket and some instructions on how to replace it?  My suit is made by Gul and I'm sure it's not covered under warranty. Thought I'd ask here - I think Pete and Insayn have both done this repair - probably more of you.  Any help is greatly appreciated.


INSAYN

  • ORC_Safety
  • Sturgeon
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  • **RIP...Ron, Ro, AMB, Stephen**
  • Location: Forest Grove, OR
  • Date Registered: Aug 2008
  • Posts: 5417
I just replaced a set this week.  It's actually pretty easy, but can be somewhat time consuming.

Kokatat has a great video on replacing gaskets.
You don't need their form kits, as you can get creative and use big rigid drink cups found at Goodwill or Dollar Tree.


I get my gaskets downstairs of Andy and Bax in PDX.  If you're not familiar with their location, they are a block up SE Grand Ave from Next Adventure's main building and have parking at the north end of their block.

Aquaseal can be found at Sportsmans Warehouse, Bi-Mart, and Andy & Bax.  Bi-Mart is the cheapest.
Get some big popcycle sticks from craft store or I think Walmart, and cut a few in half or at least the tip so you have a spatula like applicator.

You can make wide rubber bands from a $2 bicycle inner tube.  Just cut rings from the tube in 3/6"-1/4" widths.

You can get small cans of Acetone at places like Ace, Home Depot, and pretty much any place that sells paint products.

Use Acetone to wipe off the rubber gasket area down after light sanding. Wear nitrile gloves during the entire process to keep from getting skin oils on the sealing area, and Acetone or Aquaseal on your hands.  Aquaseal is really stick stuff and won't wash off you hands without solvent like Acetone.

A tip for storing your unused Aquaseal tube.
Wipe down the threads of the tube with Acetone to remove any stringy goo from using it.
Use Acetone and Q-tips to clean inside the cap.  Any goo left can secure the cap wayyyy to well when you want to use it the next time.  Then place the cap on tight, and drop into a ziplock sandwich bag and store in the freezer till next time needed. You can get one tube of Aquaseal to last for several gasket repairs.
« Last Edit: April 30, 2017, 11:37:15 AM by INSAYN »
 

"If I was ever stranded on a beach with only hand lotion...You're the guy I'd want with me!"   Polyangler, 2/27/15


pmmpete

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  • Location: Missoula, Montana
  • Date Registered: Jul 2013
  • Posts: 1989
Definitely store partly used Aquaseal tubes in the freezer.  If you don't after a while the cap end will harden.  You can still use the liquid Aquaseal in the bottom of the tube by snipping off a corner of the tube, but you can avoid that hassle by storing partly used tubes in the freezer.

Marine Goop is similar to Aquaseal, but is less expensive and doesn't harden in the tube.


INSAYN

  • ORC_Safety
  • Sturgeon
  • *
  • **RIP...Ron, Ro, AMB, Stephen**
  • Location: Forest Grove, OR
  • Date Registered: Aug 2008
  • Posts: 5417
I use A LOT of Marine Goop and it is not nearly as stretchy as Aquaseal once cured.

You could use Marine Goop in a pinch, but I would put my money on Aquaseal holding up longer to the flex and rigors of drysuit use. 
 

"If I was ever stranded on a beach with only hand lotion...You're the guy I'd want with me!"   Polyangler, 2/27/15


 

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