HOW TO - DUI DRYSUIT ZIPPER REPLACEMENT - PART 1

Tired of having to send out my drysuits to be repaired at great cost and often taking several weeks I decided to replace my own drysuit zipper at home. There were NO tutorial videos available so I decided to make one!
This is a general overview of the process of:
removing the zipper
measuring the zipper for a replacement
measuring, fitting and positioning the new zipper
sewing new zipper
sealing zipper
I hope these videos help you in replacing YOUR drysuit zipper!
This is a method that worked for ME but is not the only way to replace a zipper. Results will vary based on your own skills.
Please like and subscribe!

[@zeesteen]

John, thanks a lot for these videos. You inspired me to buy a zipper and the other things needed to repair a drysuit. I managed to replace the zipper and also the wrist seals.

[@jimm3322]

Would you have a link for the California zipper Bdl that you spoke of? Thanks

[@josc8950]

Hello,can I have your opinion about plastic zips?I dive only a few months in drysuit every year,I am just gathering information about what would be best for me,thanks

[@davegeorge7094]

Saltwater is zipper metal worst enemy. Did you freshwater rinse it after each use and wax(a block of canning wax) it to? I found zipper teeth metal gets porous and turns to a clump of powder.

[@johnbauby6612]

Hi there- Personally not a fan of plastic anything. Sun, salt, age - all can contribute to the rapid deterioration of plastics. Even if you only use the suit a few times a year a metal zipper if properly cared for will last quite a long time, worth the small extra investment in my opinion. Thanks for watching

[@eyeronycrickets7605]

Go dive and stay down there!! Do the world a favor.

[@johnbauby6612]

@@eyeronycrickets7605 Your mother would have done the world a favor if she had opted for the abortion but no use crying over things we can't change.

[@MrNotebookguy]

Oh thanks man this is a great vide

[@johnbauby6612]

+MrNotebookguy Well, I wouldn't call it great but thanks for watching. Initially I had intended to video the entire process but I was too preoccupied with figuring out how to get the zipper out, clean up the suit and get the new one in to focus too much on the filming. It took a long time to finally get the process worked out. By far the most difficult part is sewing the new zipper in. I used a sewing machine (heavy duty) to sew the long sections of zipper and a hand stitcher to do the hard to reach ends. It's crucial that the new zipper is properly placed in the suit or there will be bunching up of the material and it won't seal properly with the suit. Use a small paintbrush when applying the aquaseal to the inside seam.

[@MrNotebookguy]

John Bauby In my country there is nobody who can properly replace a drysuit zipper so if the zipper is damaged it is more or less dead. Will you make an insturctional video of how to sew the zipper in the future? I have subscribed to your channel

[@chrisimmer1]

Where is part 2? Thanks

[@DaveMorris-dz1xf]

Can this guy get to the point!