latex seal repair

[soundsailer]

what's the best way to remove seal saver from a latex seal before glueing on a new seal?
I've read that any silicone on the latex makes it impossible to attach a new seal.

 

[Bob3]

what's the best way to remove seal saver from a latex seal before glueing on a new seal?
I've read that any silicone on the latex makes it impossible to attach a new seal.

It depends on the suit material, laminated materials with the nylon top covering can soak up the silicone/seal saver, sometimes causing mischief.
With a neoprene suit, or suits using material similar to the Viking Xtreme, you can literally soak the material overnight in silicone/seal saver & still be able to get a frogbutt tight glue job with the proper surface prep.
Proper surface prep (for those suits) consists of a good scrubbing with toluene followed by a scuffing with 36 - 90 grit sandpaper, followed by another wipedown with toluene on a clean rag.
If you keep the seal saver confined to the latex you should have no problems.

 

[mddolson]

I have found good old liquid dish soap and hot water to be a good remover of seal saver. I also wipe with toluene. I find the mesh used for drywall sanding an excellent material to rough up the suit and latex seal surfaces.

regards

Mike D

 

[Dry Diver]

The LDS in Seattle uses something called MEK. Smells like hell but cleans the surface. Their repair tech let me watch as he repaired my Neck seal.

 

[whitebudda]

The LDS in Seattle uses something called MEK. Smells like hell but cleans the surface. Their repair tech let me watch as he repaired my Neck seal.

MEK can be found at any automotive paint supply store. It will soften the glue, so removing the old seal is easier.

 

[Snowbear]

You would do well to provide yourself respiratory protection (or at least a very well ventilated area) when using this stuff!!

 

[Bob3]

... liquid dish soap and hot water ...

Just a reminder for folks using strong detergents like dish soap; be absolutely sure to get every last bit of the soap off your seals. When combined with a little oil, even skin oil, it turns into something that will eat your seals, turning them into mush in no more than a couple months.
DAWN is the worst soap, or so I've been told. It's mentioned specifically as something not to be used around latex.