Replacing drysuit zipper

This is the simple demonstration of how to replace the dry suit zip - the most complicated task, yet you can still do it on your own.
This suit came with the leak from the shoulder part of the zip. This is where metal dry zips are most prone to wear and tear due to the curvature of the zip while being closed and opened.
#scubadiving #drysuit #dyi
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[@JasonToddRoberts]

I never thought of covering part of the area as the new zipper is being applied, thank you!

[@Sardy540]

Excellent video!! Thanks very much mate!

[@janpesek9724]

Great videos! I managed to replace the original metal zipper of my Ursuit dry suit for the first time with a new plastic TiZip and everything works! But I just used another two-component glue better available in the Czech Republic (Unilep D418) Thank you

[@DrySuitProjects]

Thanks! This is so great to hear! Hope this holds great. How did you came across this glue?

[@WayneRiesterer]

Brilliant video! So many people have told me that once the zip is gone in my drysuit, I'd pretty much have to replace the entire suit. It's good to see how a drysuit can be kept in service rather than filling up the rubbish tip with my lack of initiative to fix it. While watching you working, it made me wonder if you could possibly use some contoured foam so that the zip lays flat the entire time you work with it...just an idea. Thanks heaps for putting this together. "Throw out the suit myth"...busted! :)

[@DrySuitProjects]

Thanks for the kind words. Haven't got your idea about the contour foam though

[@jean-mariemobuchon2521]

Very nice videos on the channel. I'm wondering what type of glue do you use? is it neopren glue? would that work with a neopren semi-dry if I want to replace my tizip zipper? thank you

[@DonaldGillespieDivingDeutschla]

I’ve just done this and it didn’t work. The glue didn’t bond with the zipper (tizip). What have I done wrong?

[@eversurfer]

I didn't notice if you removed the old zipper or did you just leave it? I'm going to try this with a Thule brief case for a laptop computer. This won't be a drysuit, and I believe your type of materials will glue to top and bottom halves of the brief case and allow for the zipper to be replaced and bonded permanently for restoration. Since the Thule is semi waterproof, I will replace the old zipper with an airtight water resistant zipper glued on. To prep, I will remove the old zipper clean up and roughen the top and bottom areas that will be glued too. Then glue together the two sides with a new piece of urethane over both sides (as if it were permanent but not later will cut down the middle). This will hold the two halves together while gluing the air tight zipper of the brief case together. At this stage, after glue dries and the zipper on top and bottom inside still "uncut" will bond the airtight zipper around the corner curves, top and bottom. When all is dry open the zipper and cut the inner piece carefully down the center (this should be perfect conforming to corners). This won't be 100 % waterproof, but water resistant. The Thule brief cases are warrantied for 25 years, but the zippers always wear out because too much power cables and backup disk. I'll try and make the two halves of the briefcase zipper expand out, and handle extra equipment, and more accessories, backup disk, etc. The case will be just a bit thicker so more stuff. Thanks for your great presentation and materials types.

[@DrySuitProjects]

I’m removing the old zipper and prepping the surfaces

[@ericwhlee]

Thank you very much for posting, this is great info! Do you have any tips/advice on attempting a zipper replacement on the curved, front-entry zip of a Fusion drysuit? Or is this best left to AquaLung to handle?

[@DrySuitProjects]

You should use there a metal zipper only. Only metal zippers allow curving installations like in these dry suits. Other then then the technique is pretty much the same. I’ve done plenty replacements like this.

[@ericwhlee]

Dry Suits Projects Sounds great, may just give it a try. Thanks for the great content 👍🏻

[@gregorynorris8722]

Great video, very instructional. What glue are you using?

[@DrySuitProjects]

Rema tip top sc4000

[@RickThibert]

What is the reason for not having the zipper done up to help with alignment?

[@DrySuitProjects]

Please, let me know in comments if there are any other types of dry suit repairs you want me to post here. Here I'm replacing the metal dry suit zip to plastic dry zip (from TiZip) The dry suit is an Otter dry suit and the zip is the diagonal front zip. However, the process would be virtually the same for most other dry suits out there.

[@user-si2dt1uw6t]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Tell me please, are you planning to publish a video on the repair of a zipper dry suit made from neoprene?

[@DrySuitProjects]

Generally we don't have many neoprene drysuits around. But the principles usually are the same unless the suit manufacturers use some weird technology process. But of I'll get my hands on one which requires zipper replacement I'll surely post the video here

[@user-si2dt1uw6t]

@@DrySuitProjects Thank. I will be glad to see vididio.

[@glenbalza3579]

Does sc4000 work on neoprene drysuits

[@flemmingjensen8423]

Great video. 👌👌 Is it hardener E-40 or ER-42 you use with the SC4000 ?

[@DrySuitProjects]

E-40

[@biazinharoma]

Thank you for sharing, will definitely try that. The only thing is I can't find the glue Rema Tip Top SC-4000 to buy here in Australia (have sent Rema an email in regards to this). Do you recommend any other brand? Thank you!!!

[@DrySuitProjects]

I've had somebody from Australia asked me about that. I think they got the distributer there.

[@scubaal7990]

You can get AZBond-R in australia from chandlers and boat builders. 2-part contact adhesive and works well for all drysuit repairs

[@ryanmays4294]

Great video. Going to try it. Did you use both Aquaseal with Cotol AND the Rema SC-4000? Which would you suggest? Amazon doesn't seem to have the SC-400 at the moment.

[@DrySuitProjects]

Thanks, I'd use Aquaseal only for sealing small leaks since it takes considerable time to cure and during that time the glued parts might move. SC-4000 is the most suitable for 99% of the tasks. I guess to ship the glues becomes a problem since it considered a flammable substance and thus its forbidden by most carriers

[@ryanmays4294]

Thanks. Will have to see where I can get some. Did you use just SC-4000 straight, or add cotol or something? I see a small bottle next to it in the video. Just making sure what I need to order/purchase.

[@DrySuitProjects]

Its a very important small bottle - is a hardener E40. Rema Tip Top SC-4000 is a 2 component glue.

[@TheOitzu]

What process ist the best to remove a dry zip from a neoprene drysuit? Does the glue you use also softens with heat or whats the process if you ever need to replace a zip the second time?

[@DrySuitProjects]

It also softens with heat

[@ericcrossley4059]

Where and in what quantities do you buy the glue and everything else? Thanks, Eric

[@DrySuitProjects]

I buy cans of 750 g each. The can is sealed and while it’s not opened, it can be stored for years. You should consult Rema Tip Top official site to find a distributor in your area.

[@waynesmith4437]

Excellent Videos. Do you have a recommended supplier for the Aquatape?

[@DrySuitProjects]

If you need a small amount you can buy at seaskin.co.uk

[@splashplouf3493]

Hi, do you know how much glue you use for a zip replacement? cheers.

[@DrySuitProjects]

I start by mixing 50g and probably will mix 20-50g more later to keep it fresh

[@Scoobadooby]

What temperature do you set your heatgun to in order not to burn or melt the suit while removing the zipper ?

[@DrySuitProjects]

Good question. I wish I had an easy answer. Every suit is different and every fabric is different. To make it more complicated they all use different glues which have different melting points. As a rule of thumb I try not use excessive heat. Something about 100C. And I try not to heat one spot more then 10 seconds.

[@cyril83700]

Thanks for this video! Where can I find the aquatape? thickness? name? sticker?

[@DrySuitProjects]

You can find in seaskin.co.uk for example. Usually referred as aqua tape. Thickens varies. Usually about half millimeter. Made from neoprene rubber

[@duseks]

Do you think this would work for a DUI drysuit? My current zipper is sewn in and then Aquasealed on the inside, I hear it can be hard to remove the aquaseal completely. Is there no need to seal the outside of the zipper?

[@DrySuitProjects]

Done it with dui suits too. Preferably to get rid of the Aquaseal from the previous installation, which can be pretty annoying

[@user-zp8np7de2i]

Thank You for share your experience! It's very interesting and useful! Please answer for my question: is the difference to use this way to instal a zipper YKK aquaseal to trilaminate ''Hollis DX300X'' ?

[@DrySuitProjects]

In general I use the same method to install the new zippers and it working perfectly for me. However, if the old zipper is installed using some kind of thermo glue, its hard to get rid of it and the glue I'm using (SC4000 of Rema Tip Top) is not holding that well.

[@user-zp8np7de2i]

@@DrySuitProjects Thank YOU very much! Use (SC4000 от Rema Tip Top) Is more preferably??? This glue can glue a different materials???

[@DrySuitProjects]

@@user-zp8np7de2i This is the glue, that is working best for me. It's declared rubber and fabric glue, but its doing well with various plastic rings (SITECH), TIZIP and YKK AQUASEAL zippers, which are made from urethane covered tape. Also, very important - its survives perfectly salt water contact. It does not absorb water and does not swell. Santi also using this glue in their suits

[@user-zp8np7de2i]

@@DrySuitProjects You helped me a lot! We don't have a good dealer in our place, that why i going to repair my dry suit by myself... Can You tell , what is important in this job?

[@DrySuitProjects]

@@user-zp8np7de2i Most important is a good glue - no compromise here, clean surfaces before gluing and following the technological process thoroughly. Good luck!

[@albertomosfetti3056]

maybe you told million times but I can't find the answer. which glue are you using? thanks!

[@DrySuitProjects]

It’s Rema Tip Top SC4000

[@Paulkayify]

which clue you used? and is the procedure the same for metal zip?

[@DrySuitProjects]

The glue is Rema tip top sc4000. And yes, the procedure is pretty identical. I have a video on my channel where I demonstrate this

[@Imsolaris]

Where on gods green earth did you get the plastic for in between the suit and zipper?

[@DrySuitProjects]

If I recall it was a bag the zipper initially came with

[@ChillerFPV]

what glue do you use here?

[@DrySuitProjects]

SC4000, Rema Tip Top

[@smokingoldfox2]

Where do I get one of these rollers? Does anyone know what there called in German?

[@DrySuitProjects]

You can try at Amazon, look in find it in German at www.extremtextil.de/

[@OneTwo-ub9ec]

Hello, thank you for the videos. I fitted a YKK Aquaseal a couple of years ago and the outside black material of the zip that was in contact with the glue (Stormoprene 2-part Contact Adhesive 250ml) eventually cracked and flaked off eventually exposing the white material underneath (both inside and outside the suit). Have you ever seen that happening?

[@DrySuitProjects]

Delamination happens from time to time. I tend to assume it is a mix of zip manufacturing process flaws and an installation, that might speed up the deterioration process

[@barjona100]

The zipper doesn't look quite as difficult as mine (mine follows the neck seal) but it gives me confidence.

[@DrySuitProjects]

If it’s not going on relatively straight line you have to use a metal zipper

[@barjona100]

@@DrySuitProjects I was already planning on using a metal zipper instead of plastic for that reason. This is just the first one of your zipper videos I found, then I looked you up and saw that you've done a lot of drysuit zippers. Thank you for your response.

[@staytrue5307]

Received a dry suit second hand off from eBay today and theres all material thread all along the zip line, does that mean I need a new zip or do I just need to cut the thread off? Just been quoted £170 for a new zip from a dry store but don't want to pay that because the dry suit only cost me £110, any help would be much appreciated

[@DrySuitProjects]

The main question does it leak from the zipper or not. If it is - you need to replace it, no way around. I have a number of videos in the channel that demonstrate it, I suggest you go over it and find one that resembles your case

[@TauchEin]

Is their no need to roughen the new zip before applying the glue? I heard about some issues of bad glue adhesion on the material of the zip.

[@DrySuitProjects]

It better sand it a bit with a sand paper

[@TauchEin]

Thanks for your advice, maybe they used the wrong glue. Seems that you know what you are doing. Thank you for sharing your videos. 👏🏻

[@DrySuitProjects]

It could be wrong glue too. Generally if there is an urethane based lamination of the zipper tape, then the neoprene based glue might not work. Rema Tip Top SC4000 is a neoprene based (If I'm not mistaken) but it appears to work just fine for me.

[@TauchEin]

Ok, I‘m using a PU-based glue anyway and hopefully don‘t get any problem. All items I glued on my suits in the past are perfekt solid and tight but its my first zipper I have to change.

[@r1ckn0rr15]

I decided to attempt to replace my zipper on my Santi E.lite. I removed the old zipper and soon realized that this is sewn. I assume that I can still do this method without an industrial sewing maching?

[@DrySuitProjects]

As far as I know, Santi are no sewing their zips, but may be they changed their tech process. I’m not seeing the zippers, glue is holding just fine as long as you have enough overlapping. 1 cm overlapping is enough

[@r1ckn0rr15]

@@DrySuitProjects Thanks for the reply. The last place that did the zipper decided to sew. I am assuming that with the proper 2 coats of glue, the old sewing holes wont be a problem. I ordered my new zipper today, and sincerely appreciate your video.

[@DrySuitProjects]

The old holes will be covered by glue and a new zip. So it should be ok

[@Skyshark2fury]

Can you name the exact materials needed?(glue) I see acetone and SC4000 cement, what else might I need?

[@DrySuitProjects]

Yep, some polyethylene sheets, some old cloth, brushes, sandpaper

[@BrihNOTbruh]

The new zipper is an ykk plastic zip?

[@DrySuitProjects]

This one specifically is a Tizip

[@lourias]

As one who sees, I always start attaching zippers from the base, not the top.

[@DrySuitProjects]

I might guess why are you doing so, but in case I'm wrong - could you elaborate?