Fusion questions

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So my Fusion arrived yesterday. Of course the weather collapsed today. 7 day forecast has wind at 25-40 knots, seas from 3-5mts & bucket loads of rain. So while I'm waiting to get it wet, a few questions.
That truly sux. Sorry.

What's the best way to hang the suit for drying. Mostly I see DS hanging by their integrated boots, not an option? or they're back entry & have been on shoulder/neck hangers, possible but not optimal IMO. What do you do.
I use the Trident DA22 drysuit hanger. It's not very expensive and fits inside my fusion perfectly without stressing the neck seal.

Rinsing the suit. Do you strip the skin off & do them separately or leave them together.
Leave them together. Actually I'm probabally wierd in this one:
  • Flip suit inside out and hang until the condensation is dry, about 30-45 minutes.
  • Flip suit back rightside out.
  • Get into suit wearing street clothes. Zip up brass zipper only.
  • Get into shower.
  • Luxuriate.
  • Get out of suit and hang to dry (about 1 to 2 hours, skin attached).

Do you fold your seals in an 1" or so or leave them flat.
Flat.

Does Whites use UK or US size conventions for their boots.
US as far as I know, but Tyler is the authority (as in all things Fusion related).

I have a pair of size 9 Evos but they seem far to big. I have about 1.5" between the ends of the boot & my tows. This is with thick, alpine merino wool sox & the the DS. When I put them into the foot pocket of my fins the spring straps force my tows into the front of the boot. Then of course the heel has been pushed away from the heel of the boot by 1.5". The boot seems to distort a little & its quite uncomfortable. I realise they need to be a bit larger than the norm but an extra 1.5" in length seems to be too much.
<shrugs> Sounds like they're too big to me - if your LDS has a smaller pair give them a try?

I have no experience with DS so any hints, tips or suggestions would be appreciated.
Seal Saver every 4-5 dives or so, and zipper wax almost every dive, inside and out.


Enjoy!


All the best, James
 
Thanx for all the info & ideas people.

As I don't have to separate the layers, cleaning the suit sounds pretty strait forward. Might try the weirdos' idea. :)

As to drying the suit. I think I'll start out with the simplicity of Phils' method & maybe try one of James hangers maybe even a modification of a modified Dalton.

I'v had a Cressi Ice semi wet for many years, so have lots of experience with brass zips & fold in neo seals. But have heard some horror stories about latex seals (which I have no experience with) so thought I'd access some of your expertise on the subject.

<shrugs> Sounds like they're too big to me - if your LDS has a smaller pair give them a try?
Enjoy!
All the best, James

James, alas, there are no whites dealers in Oz that I know about. As a consequence, my LDS for Whites products is in Illinois. I have however already organised with uncle Mike to make the swap. Oddly enough, this will probably be just as quick, if not quicker than dealing with any LDS/distributor I'v dealt with in Oz to date.
 
Latex seals are somewhat delicate. They don't like ozone or any hydrocarbons, so they need to be kept away from heaters, big electrical items, and car exhaust (don't hang your suit in your garage!) Several sources recommend cleaning skin oil off the latex with a dilute detergent solution, although they differ in how often they say this should be done. Any fragrance or oil should be kept away from latex seals (so don't use skin lotion before you dive).

I've learned about everything there is said about maintenance of latex seals, but I still go through a neck seal every 50 dives or so.
 
Thanx TS&M that's exactly the sort of thing I needed to know.

I'd imagine the "no skin lotion" stricture would apply to sun block too.

Egads, a new neck seal every 50 dives, what have I got myself into. :11: :D

Would Aquaseal food grade silicon pump spray do as well as seal saver to condition the seals.
 
I've learned about everything there is said about maintenance of latex seals, but I still go through a neck seal every 50 dives or so.

OUCH:11:
 
BTW, that's ME -- most people get far more dives off a neck seal! I have come to the bitter conclusion that something in my skin oil eats latex. When the neck seal on the Fusion fails (note that I don't say IF) I'll replace it with a neoprene one.
 
Would Aquaseal food grade silicon pump spray do as well as seal saver to condition the seals.

I would keep any form of silicone away from seals. It won't necessarily harm the seal itself, but it will penetrate into the suit material and prevent adhesives from sticking to the suit, making seal replacement very difficult.
 
I would keep any form of silicone away from seals. It won't necessarily harm the seal itself, but it will penetrate into the suit material and prevent adhesives from sticking to the suit, making seal replacement very difficult.
While this may be what DUI passes on for their suits (since it makes seal replacement more of a chore for them), it is not applicable to Whites drysuits. It certainly has no bearing on the adhesive used to glue on the seals for the Fusion.

Seal Saver contains silicone, and is reccomended by the manufacturer; my experience is that it really does extend the life of latex seals significantly, and has no effect on repairs or seal replacement.

Would Aquaseal food grade silicon pump spray do as well as seal saver to condition the seals.


I suppose you could use spray-on silicone, but you'd be missing out on the UV inhibitors that Seal Saver contains, and is a big part of its benefit.


All the best, James
 
Thanx James, looks like it's seal saver over pump spray.

LG I'd be interested in hearing what you use to protect your DS seals.
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/teric/

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