When to replace drysuit seals

[DarkFrog]

I'm looking at picking up a used DUI CF 200, but I don't know much about drysuits and wont be able to take a class until mid July. I just have a couple questions that I couldn't find answered elsewhere.

When do you replace the seals? The suit I'm looking at has some cracking on wrist seals just past the cuff. Does this mean they'll need to be replaced soon (and I should beat up the seller up for a lower price) or can you get by for a while with cracking? Can I throw some seal cement on over the cracks to extend their life?

If this is answered in a decent drysuit course, I appologize. I won't be able to take one until mid-july.

 

[ERP]

If they're cracked they probably need to be replaced.
I replace mine when they leak, they rarely get to the point when they "wear out".

 

[Camerone]

Seals are roughly an annual consumable on a drysuit, perhaps every other year if you get lucky and they're stored really, really well. You can't really patch seals, but in a pinch, vinyl black electrical tape can "save a dive" on a seal that's not too far gone (although once you undo it to get out of the suit, the seal is likely beyond repair.)

Frankly, on a used suit, you should expect to do a seal replacement right off the bat. That's par for the course... gluing new wrist seals is an easy and quick thing to do. Neck seals are a little tougher, but not rocket science. Any dive shop worth their salt can change them for you in house fairly quickly...if they can't, that's a good indication you should find another shop.

Seals available here: http://www.ossystems.com/repair/repr.htm along with instructions if you're a handy type who wants to DIY. It's not a particularly expensive fix ($30-ish for a set of wrist seals + proper glue)

 

[knowone]

Sort of all of the above however the salty dive shop that I frequent whilst busy doing classes, rebuilds, sellings, hydros, trips, servicings, courses, pressure tests, customer servicings, club nights, dives, etc, boat bookings, etc, and are happy to try to match prices and help with or fix gear purchased elsewhere, they are not to busy to organise suit repairs with the specialist suit repair shop, or send you direct.

 

[NC Wreck Diver]

Let's expand on Camerone's post a little more. Other than the typical usage of getting into and out of the drysuit, the thing that will make a neck seal or the wrist seals crack is Ozone. So, when storing your suit for the offseason, or even between dives, keep it away from anything that will emit Ozone. Your car in the garage will have this effect. Your home's natural gas heater and hot water will do it also. Actually, anythng that is running some type of motor will have an effect on the rubber (they all emit Ozone). I have a CF 200, and I like it. Check the seals around where they are glued and gently pull on them. If they are cracked, they are dryrotted, and they will need a replacement. Don't let it be a deal breaker for you, as the other divers mentioned to you in their posts, seals are a consumable item. I normally get more than one season out of a set of latex seals, if they are stored properly, and the suit is put on with reasonable care. Zip seals are nice, since they can be changed in the field with a spare set stored in a sealed plastic bag. You would ned your dive shop to modify your DUI once, then you can use this option for the life of the suit.

Also, check the zipper and the intake and exhaust valves. The zipper should be properly waxed, and the vales should be tightly mounted in the suit. All these things can be repaired or replaced, but the price does add up. I hope this helps. Safe diving to you.

 

[dave4868]

When do you replace the seals? The suit I'm looking at has some cracking on wrist seals just past the cuff. Does this mean they'll need to be replaced soon (and I should beat up the seller up for a lower price) or can you get by for a while with cracking? Can I throw some seal cement on over the cracks to extend their life?

It's hard to tell whether the cracking is a real issue without looking at them. Near the cuff, it might be of no consequence. Cracking near the opening of the cuff would make the seals very likely to rip when donning or doffing the suit, thereby spoiling a dive perhaps.

I've had slightly cracked rubber on the base of my seals for over two years before the condition near the openings deteriorated to the point of unreliability.

In the past, my seals have usually lasted about 3 years and about a couple hundred dives. Age and exposure is a bigger factor than number of dives usually.

I'd suggest you have a knowledgeable friend take a look at them.

However, for assessing the value of the suit and adopting a dickering strategy, assume the seals will need to be replaced unless they're nearly new....

Dave C

 

[TSandM]

As stated, wrist seal replacement is a minor chore. I do my own. Cracking is a warning of leaks, but if the cracking is near the suit cuff, you can temporize with duct tape. I did that on my first suit, and it lasted over a year! Cracking near the edge of the seal tells you it's going to rip soon.

The other thing to evaluate on seals is their "rubberiness". Old seals can get flabby and then they don't hold well.

Replacing seals is not an expensive repair, but it often puts people off buying a suit, which is a shame.

 

[Gombessa]

As stated, wrist seal replacement is a minor chore. I do my own. Cracking is a warning of leaks, but if the cracking is near the suit cuff, you can temporize with duct tape. I did that on my first suit, and it lasted over a year! Cracking near the edge of the seal tells you it's going to rip soon.

The other thing to evaluate on seals is their "rubberiness". Old seals can get flabby and then they don't hold well.

When I first got my suit (brand new), it had small but noticeable cracking on the seals right by the cuff. It was probably nothing, but since it was new I had the manufacturer replace the seals and the new ones weren't cracked.

One of the first signs of impending replacement is if areas of the latex seal (usually where it contacts your skin) start to feel sticky or gummy. Once that happens, I start counting the number of dives before an eventual tear.

 

[DarkFrog]

Thanks to everyone who answered. The cracking is at the base of the seal, but goes about halfway through, so I think I'll just try replacing them myself. I'm reasonably handy with adhesives and it doesn't seem too complicated. Also, there's enough time between now and when I take a drysuit course that I can get someone else to fix it if I screw it up.

 

[Jaeger45]

So....
It appears that already made the exposure mistake, and stored my drysuit in the basement not far from the furnace and hot water heater (and subsequently adjacent to an operating computer). I have noticed some cracking in the seals, and yesterday found my arm thoroughly damp for the first time. It appears I will soon be replacing my seals for the first time after only six months--not a good track record.

Other than location of storage, and using some sort of lubricant (talc/KY/baby shampoo/etc), any other ideas for extending the life of my seals?