hyperflex wetsuit is falling apart?!? how to do wetsuit repairs?

From what I hear, just call them and they'll fix it.

 

Oneil and quiksilver both have year warranties.

 

First off, don't ever put your wetsuit in the washer, if you meant you wash it in a cold washer cycle. Assuming you didn't, don't store it where it gets a lot of sunlight either, to keep the rubber from dryrotting. And don't subject the suit to high heat (leaving it in a baking car often), since that will melt out the glue connections.

If you have not done any of those things, sounds like you've got a legit warranty claim (less than 1 year old). Contact the shop you bought it from before you start making mods/repairs. Mods/repairs might void the warranty.

I just bought some Aquaseal and a McNett Iron Mend Repair Kit for similar repairs myself, though I have not used them yet. Dolphin Scuba Center online has free shipping. Just so you know, the neoprene cloth in the Iron Mend is more like the soft lining inside your suit, so it's perfect for the inside of repairs. I saw some vids online of people sewing with tooth floss and then sealing with Aquaseal or similar product. I'd recommend sewing only half depth on top (not all the way through the neoprene, you don't want to make more holes to tear open), then sealing the top and bottom with Aquaseal. If it's in a critical chaffe area (arm pits), cover it up with the Iron Mend inside.

I've fixed small, full depth tears near the knees with success using nylon sewing thread and Shoegoo that have held up for 5+ years. They aren't pretty though.

I've been tempted to try some 3M 5200 on wetsuits, but decided not to (but it's expensive, so might as well buy the stuff made for the job). I'd imagine regular caulk would come off pretty easy.

 

Hyperflex has a 1 year warranty. Also, I never thought about it until I saw it on this forum, but make sure you rinse it in cold water. I used to come back and take a hot shower and I have noticed the glue is seeping on my suits (all Hyperflex). But thats probably not just a Hyperflex issue, as they all say to rinse in cold water on the tags.

 

IMO, 5200 will cure way too stiff.

 

you've used your suit more than i had used mine before i sold it, but from what i could tell from a few sessions in the suit it seemed to be well made. sorry to hear about your situation though.

 

although there aren't many difference in standard modern neoprene, some of it is cheaper/lower quality...and that's obviously what hyperflex is using. If you're on the cheap, I'd recommend buying a lower end model of a more established company (rip curl, o'neill, etc).

Exit98 Surf is right: all suits have at least a 1 year warranty...USE IT!!! Do not try to fix the suit yourself before the 1 year warranty is up, or you'll probably void the warranty (they will not remove your "caulk" so they can repair the suit). Keep sending it in. If you don't void the warranty, there's a decent chance they'll send you a brand new suit.

Once the warranty is up, you can extend the life of the suit (slightly) by using Aquaseal or other neoprene glue. Try to do all repairs on the outside of the suit, so the dried glue doesn't end up scratching you. Unless you're a japanese girl, the repair is most likely going to look like sh*t.

If your suit originally had "liquid tape" on the seams and it cracked within one year, it's crappy liquid tape. I had this happen when Rip Curl first started copying O'niell's liquid tape and it ripped my skin to shreds. Rip Curl's newest formulation is as good as o'neill's, so, once again, I recommend going with a better brand suit.

 

My 4/3 tore open pretty good on a messy post-Sandy day at Smitty's, aka the washing machine, aka Pitstops.

I sent it in and they sent me a brand new, next year version of the suit. Matt would be proud.

Just do us a favor and send yours in sooner rather than later, because the second that thing is in the mail, the forecast will bump up.

 

What happened to that guy Matt?

 

Matt Johnson works for Hyperflex now I think.

 

^^ This. Go to the shop you bought it from, explain that you bought the suit in April and its now fall and the suit is falling apart. That suit is six months old!. The shop should work with you to get it replaced. Don't start trying to fix all that crap yourself. Seriously. Are you really going to try and relaminate the polypro lining to the neoprene? Good luck with that.

 

Whatever you do, DON'T use Aquaseal! It's the kiss of death to a suit and it WILL void your warranty. Only use regular, and fresh, neoprene glue, and even then use it sparingly. Keep your suit supple, not crusty.

 

He must be busy- cause we never hear from him anymore... he would be the guy to help get that suit fixed.

 

Personally (sorry matt... ) I don't like the material that those suits are made from. I never owned one- but from checking it out in the shop... it feels cheaper.

If the inside material is delaminating - there is not anything you can do. I have tried years ago when the suits where not so great. I have tried the glue- heat- ect...the only thing that works is to send it back to the company for them to fix it. or get a new one. Check out seshday.com - they have some great deals on suits. its free to sign up- if you use your iphone you can skip around the sign up..

 

Don't take it back to the shop they're just going to tell you to send it to the company. If the suit is under a year old I don't see you having a problem getting taken care of.

I'm actually kind of surprised because not only do those companies make good wetsuits but they also are usually built to last. The ones I've owned in the past have really stood the test of time.

 

hyperflex?

 

Yes. I used the suit last weekend, it's still holding up pretty well.
It's the Cyclone 2 GBS I believe.

 

i hate to say that their wetsuits suck

 

true true ^^^ Get an XCEL or Oneill and scrap the Hyper after warranty repairs it...few more bucks go a loong way