Page 4 of 164

Re: that wetsuit discussion...

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 10:38 am
by bc
Neoprene breaks down over time, with exposure to the elements.
With newer & better wetsuits, you have a thinner, more flexible neoprene.
I assume this is why your old suits would last several years, and the newer ones only 2 if you're lucky.
Someone was making wetsuits out of non-neoprene - but I can't remember who it was.
Anyone?

Re: that wetsuit discussion...

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 11:14 am
by Trev
robzig wrote: The reason one will last over another longer simply comes down to the way you treat your wettie.
They are pretty delicate.

By the way it's 'Xcel' not 'Excel' that was a car....ha ha ha.
Excel......Scmexel...whatever.......... :oops: 8)
Re care of wetties I've never seen any need to flush the salt out of it. I can't see how it can hurt. Although, I do flush them out at the end of the season.
Most of my wetties have lasted years, even in Sydney. In fact I still have an O'Neill I bought At Mona Vale in 1995. Still works a treat if I need something a bit thicker. And O'Neill service has been second to none. Two rips/tears/ fin cuts?? and they only charged me for the first one. Second on they reckoned the suit was so old I'd need another one soon and so they did it FOC. I bought a new O'Neill the next year. It actually hasn't lasted as long as the original but I've still been happy with it.
I always hang the wetty up when I get home and I fold it in half across a hanger, as the shoulders used to stretch and wear thin due to the wet weight on them while they dried. Now, no more stretched shoulders.
I have started doing the same with rashies and they don't lose all their stretch now either.
Hang them under the eaves where they get the wind but very little direct sun.

Re: that wetsuit discussion...

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 2:16 pm
by robzig
:|

Re: that wetsuit discussion...

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 2:48 pm
by aaronn
wetsuit care 101: after each use
1- soak suit for 20 minutes in a vinegar solution of 250ml vinegar/5 L water.
2- hang suit out to dry in full sun on a thin wire coat hanger.
3- if full sun is not an option, tumble dry on hottest heat setting.
4 - use iron without steam on cotton setting at MAX temp, or clothes press at MAX temp to flatten creases. creases cause chaffing

Re: that wetsuit discussion...

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 4:59 pm
by Kunji
bc wrote:Neoprene breaks down over time, with exposure to the elements.
With newer & better wetsuits, you have a thinner, more flexible neoprene.
I assume this is why your old suits would last several years, and the newer ones only 2 if you're lucky.
Someone was making wetsuits out of non-neoprene - but I can't remember who it was.
Anyone?
Chloroprene

Re: that wetsuit discussion...

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 7:28 pm
by Trev
robzig wrote:Salt will kill everything.

Not flushing with fresh water will cause salt to crystallize on the nylon and slowly makes your nice stretchy wetsuit..........well not so stretchy.

Hanging by the waist is a great idea also. The best hangers are those ones specially made for wetsuits. They fill up the whole shoulder area. That's what I use 8)
Not trying to be smart here, but as I said, my wetties last forever. The last 3 haven't lost any stretch. One full steamer, one short sleeve steamer, one springsuit. Generally just wear in areas where they are constantly rubbing but they don't flush water in during wipeouts or paddle outs.

Re: that wetsuit discussion...

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 9:31 pm
by bc
TrevG wrote:Not trying to be smart here, but as I said, my wetties last forever. The last 3 haven't lost any stretch. One full steamer, one short sleeve steamer, one springsuit. Generally just wear in areas where they are constantly rubbing but they don't flush water in during wipeouts or paddle outs.
My wetties used to be like that - had a bodyglove steamer, and a rip curl spring suit & stemaer that had more than 5 years each - rarely rinsed, and not treated well. no problems. Have had 3 steamers since that lasted barely a year each since. My no name spring suit ($30 on sale from SDS) is still going strong after 3 years. More comfortable than my name brand one too.

Re: that wetsuit discussion...

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 10:24 pm
by diggerdickson
my steamer is stiffer than a wooden post, but dont believe I will ever need it here again, a short john will do for winter with a 1 mill rashie

Re: that wetsuit discussion...

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2010 9:23 am
by Animal_Chin
It's dry salt crystals that destroy wetties*

These crystals have sharp edges and when rubbing occurs they abrade the surface of the neoprene.

If you don't rinse, but do hang up your wettie after a session, then no rubbing occurs and you minimise damage.

*and dogs/cats/possums/direct sunlight/sulphuric acid/ex wives.

Re: that wetsuit discussion...

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2010 12:23 pm
by bc
Coops@DY wrote:
bc wrote:...Someone was making wetsuits out of non-neoprene - but I can't remember who it was.
Anyone?
Chloroprene
Don't think that's it.
"Neoprene is the DuPont trade name for its brand of polychloroprene"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoprene

Re: that wetsuit discussion...

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2010 6:03 pm
by aaronn
my radiator 3/2 arrived friday by registered post
that's 5 business days from the time i ordered online
very robust suit. best zipper and zipper installation i have seen
make sure you get correct size. i'm 5'10" with 39in chest, 32in waist
and size LARGE fits perfect...just. suit has no batwing or collar flush
protection which would be annoying if the suit was not so HOT !
bring on Winter !
score - with low pricing considered, 7 out of 10

Re: that wetsuit discussion...

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2010 7:46 pm
by mustkillmulloway
diggerdickson wrote:, a short john will do for winter with a 1 mill rashie

yeah just don't piss in it ok :D ...i want it back :lol:

went in today pay money off the board i have on layby

saw a long sleeve vest....made by kookbox ( sounds like me :roll: ) a jap wetty

the quality the rubber shits all everything else i've seen....so i got it

kinda fitting as i'd layby the board when i went in looking for a wetty :?

anycase.....u really don't need a steamer up here.....u just get too hot....even for the early 8)

Re: that wetsuit discussion...

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2010 10:45 pm
by Animal_Chin
fark me.

I paddled out, first wave; ice cream headache.

second duck dive gave me a toothache.

you guys are blessed.

Re: that wetsuit discussion...

Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 10:44 pm
by jaytee
cheers for the insight fellas. ended up heading down to Zak Surfboards in melbs and picked up a west lotus suit, got a decent deal on it too. fitted well, it's a 4/3 so hopefully my cold sessions are behind me.

should be some decent waves tomorrow so i'm ready to face the 6C morning. might have to bring out the booties though :P

have a good one

Re: that wetsuit discussion...

Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 11:46 pm
by Kunji
^^They saw you coming, mate. :lol:

Re: that wetsuit discussion...

Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 7:32 am
by 'llo-and Behold
Just discovered my 1.5mm Radiator LS springy is splitting under the arms. Beginning of it's second season... :cry:

Re: that wetsuit discussion...

Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 2:13 pm
by Imjinman
My big frustration is the velcrose on the flap. It rips the hell out of the neoprene and it is that that really shortens the wet suit life. In no time the shoulder neoprene has worn thin by the constant ripping, and after 2-3 years a hole appears. No matter how much care you use, it still sticks and rips the s... out of the suit.

Surely it can't be too hard for a manufacturer to fix this...but then it would take away the built in obsolesence.

Or is there some way around this that I haven't yet discovered?

Apart from that my O'Neill Psycho 2 is pretty damned good.

Re: that wetsuit discussion...

Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 2:52 pm
by schnorky
How is it that the sealed 3/2 topline steamer from Oniell is 574 retail. The Ripcurl is 574 retail and the Billabong is 574 retail. These companies make the oil company cartel look like amateurs. I'll buy my next one in January before the new 'exactly the same' range arrives. You know its the truth.