Drysuit Seam Tape

[Paddler]

So my Drysuit has turned the corner from full-on-drysuit to My-butt-is-wet-at-the-end-of-the-day. The biggest thing I've noticed is some of the seam tape is starting to peel back, so my question is; what sort of adhesives should I use to reapply the existing tape? Should I remove the entire strip of tape and start with new tape? Where can I buy just the seam tape, and what process is required for reapplication?

I searched the forum and found one thread that addressed this but I wasn't sure what heat tape, bostik 2024, or standard tape was and how to aquire them. I did the Google thing and it wasn't very helpful.

any help would be great.

[Cheeks]

adhesives? WELDWOOD RED CAN!!!!! er, what was the question?


I'm sure someone will come along with the right answer, but something to consider if your suit is Kokatat or IR, you can send it to them and they'll fix you up for a nominal cost. If the damage is from Gore-Tex delamination, you generally get a new suit.

[ohioboater]

Same thing is happening to my NRS suit. When I called NRS, they recommended two options:

1. Using good old Aquaseal to seal/re-adhere the spots where the tape is failing.

2. Sending the suit to Rainy Pass (http://www.rainypass.com/) in Seattle for professional re-taping of the bad spots. I called them, and it is $35 to get the suit pressure tested, plus whatever labor time at $60 per hour on top of that to repair the failing spots. Turn around was 4 weeks, which was too long for my needs, so I'm going to just try the Aqua Seal approach.

[pblanc]

Aqua Seal works. McNett Seam Grip would probably also work.

[Jim Michaud]

Aquaseal works great for all of my dry suit and float bag repairs. I recommend thinning the Aquaseal with Toluene so that the repair stays flexible.

Hint: After opening a tube of Aquaseal make sure that you store it in a freezer.

[SkeeterGuy86]

Aqua Seal gets expensive ... i should know i have a drysuit (semi dry) with no seam tape left in the suit .... someday ill be able to afford a new suit

[eddyhops]

I've found Marine Goop is basically the same thing as Aqua Seal for much less $$$

[milkman]

Peeling seam tape should be a warranty issue. I sent a goretec parka back to Marmot that was having that problem and they replaced nearly all the seam tape for free. The coat is back to being full rainproof.

[SkeeterGuy86]

my drysuit wishes it was under warrentee ... unfortunately it was made in 1992

[markzak]

you can buy drysuit seam tape online and it can be applied with either heat or glue. sorry i forgot what it is called specifically or where i have bought it in the past.

[Paddler]

So I found the seamtape, it's made by McNett. Seattle Fabrics sells it by the yard, it sounds like a good price but I have nothing to compare it to.

http://www.seattlefabrics.com/mcnett.htm#Melco" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Iron On Seam Tape

[Silent Bob]

So I found the seamtape, it's made by McNett. Seattle Fabrics sells it by the yard, it sounds like a good price but I have nothing to compare it to.

http://www.seattlefabrics.com/mcnett.htm#Melco" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Iron On Seam Tape

I'm not sure thats the same stuff. I think Melco is more of a fabric reinforcing tape like you would use on the seams of a wetsuit or sprayskirt.

-Bob

[TheKrikkitWars]

Waterproof breathable seam tape is very difficult to apply well DIY... Glueing results in stiff seams surrounded by non-breathable areas; but without a dedicated tool, applying the correct amount of heat to the tape (and moreover not applying it anywhere else) is awkward at best and potentially disasterous if you cock it up and apply too much heat.

[Paddler]

Thanks for the info Silentbob and theKrikkitwars

[Bill M]

Agree w/ Kricket. Applying tape correctly takes skill. Need the right amount of heat to be concentrated on the tape only and the tapeto be near perfect on the seam for it to work.
Bill