How to Repair a Neoprene Surf Wetsuit

One of the essential elements for surfing, as well as the most suitable board according to your needs and qualities, is the wetsuit.

A neoprene wetsuit is made of a very resistant elastic material, which is also waterproof.

It protects the body from the cold, preventing it from coming into direct contact with the water in which the wearer is immersed and maintains the wearer’s body heat.

Thanks to its use, it is possible to surf in some very cold water regions during certain seasons of the year.

Wetsuits are not cheap and therefore must be looked after with care; however, there are occasions when a mishap or accident occurs, such as a tear or breakage caused by rubbing against a rock or even a fingernail.

In this situation, you may decide that it’s better to repair your wetsuit rather than buy a new one at a high price.

Join us! to find out how to repair a broken wetsuit, wetsuit boots, wetsuit cap or neoprene gloves…

Materials you need

• Liquid neoprene: also called neoprene glue or neoprene glue.
• A piece of neoprene: wetsuits usually come with pieces of neoprene; if you don’t have this, in any specialist surf shop, they will gladly give you a piece of material, as they often throw them away.
• A paintbrush or toothpick.
• A heavy object to make weight while the glue dries.
• Alcohol.

Triathlete in his wetsuit in Puerto Deportivo, Benalmádema, Spain | Photo by Quino Al on Unsplash

Steps to repair your wetsuit

Before proceeding with the necessary steps to repair the tear in your wetsuit, you must ensure that it is completely clean and dry.

1. Turn the wetsuit inside out.
2. Clean the area around the tear or rip very well with a little alcohol; this way you can be sure that there are no dirty residues, such as sand or wax, on the part to be repaired, which could damage the glue and void the repair.
3. Check the tear or cut well, opening it up to clearly see the damage.
4. Take the special neoprene glue and apply a coat, using the brush, on both sides of the tear or break, but do not put both sides of the tear together.
5. Allow 1 to 3 minutes for the glue to dry slightly at room temperature, keeping the sides apart. The glue looks shiny when wet and becomes matte as it dries; it should feel slightly tacky to the touch but not stick to your fingers.
6. When the first coat of glue has dried, apply a second coat, equally on both sides of the tear. It is now necessary to let the glue dry for about ten minutes.
7. After this time, proceed to firmly join the two sides you want to glue together, doing your best to keep a firm and straight grip.
8. You can use a weighted object to place on top of the repair while the drying and sealing process takes place.
9. The glue will dry in an average of two to five minutes at most; however, it is recommended that the glue be left to dry for at least six hours for a secure and firm seal. Ideally, it should be left to dry overnight.
10. If you want to make the repair firmer, you can take a piece of neoprene and place it with glue over the area of the tear, following the procedure we mentioned for drying the glue. Once you are sure it is dry, you can cut off the excess neoprene so that it does not cause discomfort.

As soon as you notice a small tear in your wetsuit, the best thing to do is to repair it immediately; this way you will prevent the tear from getting bigger and your wetsuit will have a longer lifespan and be more usable.

Start of a triathlon held in Playa de la Misericordia, Malaga, Spain | Photo by Quino Al on Unsplash

Videos on how to repair your surf wetsuit

The following videos explain in simple steps how to repair a break in your surf wetsuit.