Folks,

today me and Marlon dived at Cape Schanck, but I managed to open a long gash in my brand-new, tailored, disruptive pattern-camoed, open-cell wetsuit... well, next time I will remember to use soapy water on the outside as well, even when undressing

As far as I know, even a long gash is doable, and the repair will last long, but this would the first time for me to repair an open-cell, hence I am leaning towards having it done by pros.

Browsing the Internet, I have come across Ocean Wetsuits in Hallam: could someone tell his experience with them (and, possibly, the price of such a repair) ?

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Best regards,
Luca.

Wouldn't happen to be an Elios suit would it?.
I had one... great suit but I tore the shit out of it every time I took it off. I had it repaired at ocean suits in Hallam and I was happy with the repair and price. I would recommend them for wetsuit repairs.

No, it is not an Elios one: but it is open-cell (meaning it is not lined, neither on the inside nor on the outside), hence fragile (but extremely comfortable and warm): was yours similar ?

Thanks for the info on Ocean Suits... but I would like to know more (sorry, but I cannot help it): did they use liquid Neoprene ? Did they file the gash before applying glue (as far as I know, having smooth surfaces when gluing is of the essence) ? Did they apply additional neoprene patches at junctions ?

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Best regards,
Luca.

how big is the tear?
post a photo up

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See You In The Water

Big and ragged, see the pic:

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Best regards,
Luca.

That would be pretty easy to glue yourself, use a decent black glue like the Picasso stuff, follow the instructions and go slow making sure you have the edges lined up. PS. If you're going to dive smoothskin you're going to get pretty good at gluing.

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Civilisation ends at the waterline. Beyond that, we all enter the food chain, and not always right at the top.

Only first time, then you learn how to use it.

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http://lokus200.blogspot.com/

I am afraid you're right.
I have still to make up my mind on whether doing it myself, or hand it over to professionals... we'll see.

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Best regards,
Luca.

I can fix it for free if you give me the glue.

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http://lokus200.blogspot.com/

Thanks for your kind offer. but, upon further reflection, I'd rather have it repaired by professionals (I know it is not rocket science, but the gash is long: an error may imply losing the jacket). Anyway, one of this days I will buy some neoprene glue, just in case I will tear it again

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Best regards,
Luca.

A quick follow-up: I had my wetsuit repaired ad Ocean Suits, and the job was done to perfection (the seam is barely visible).
Moreover, the guy at the counter was really helpful, and gave me advice on how to repair the wetsuit, and how to get it in/out of it.

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Best regards,
Luca.

Sorry about the delayed reply but I've been spearing big ass fish in Thaiiland for 2 months...

Yeah Ocean suits did an awesome job on mine too.
But do yourself a favour and get some seal cement from there too.
Whoever said diving in a smooth skin will make you a good gluer is dead right !!
And its not that hard.
I had the elios and it was great but tore constantly.
Get the glue and keep it in your bag, coz I guarantee one day you'll be on the sand or in the car park and your suit will tear like shit when putting it on. At least if you have the seal cement you can dive a couple of hours later...