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Non-Gun DIY Projects and Customizations This section is for your DIY spearfishing projects and customization other then spearguns.

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Old 04-09-2018, 07:47 PM   #1
Fox55
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Wetsuit chest pad

Has anybody reinforced their chest of their wetsuit to keep it from tearing while loading their speargun. My three mm is shredding. Help
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Old 04-09-2018, 07:51 PM   #2
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Re: Wetsuit chest pad

You need to hot glue a mouse pad to your chest before putting on the wet suit.
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Old 04-09-2018, 08:08 PM   #3
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Re: Wetsuit chest pad

A neoprene mouse pad would be better than nothing. If you don't have real wetsuit glue, you can probably get away with some shoe goo from home depot.
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Old 04-09-2018, 08:39 PM   #4
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Re: Wetsuit chest pad

A neoprene mouse pad would be a decent DIY fix, but dont use shoe goo, it gets hard and has no stretch. You should be able to find wetsuit glue ( neoprene cement) at your local dive shop. Your going to have to mark out the area on the suit and put several layers of glue down to prime the nylon exterior of the suit ( assuming your suit isn't skin out) only glue around the edge, not the entire area. You may luck out on the pad, some are nylon on the top only and bare neoprene on the bottom to prevent slipping / sliding around, that bare neo will only need one layer of glue, no priming. Aqua seal is another adhesive, but be sure to use lots of the hardener ( cotel) more than they say, it not only makes it dry faster, but the more hardener you use the more flexable the dried glue is. Another way is to just hand stitch it on.
A word of caution, don't go too large with the pad, a mouse pad doesn't stretch like you suit and you will see the difference in how the suit is tighter thru the chest.

Last edited by SEATUX; 04-09-2018 at 08:57 PM.
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Old 04-10-2018, 08:07 AM   #5
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Re: Wetsuit chest pad

Well then wouldn't a piece of actual neoprene from the fabric shop be better then a mouse pad
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Old 04-10-2018, 11:03 AM   #6
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Re: Wetsuit chest pad

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fox55 View Post
Well then wouldn't a piece of actual neoprene from the fabric shop be better then a mouse pad
Fabric shop?

The mouse pad is much more dense, which would add padding, but reduce stretch. But you didnt ask for padding, you said the thin suit is being torn apart, so yes, a piece of neoprene would be best.
Please tell me, is the suit "skin in" or "skin out" ?
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Old 04-10-2018, 11:24 AM   #7
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Re: Wetsuit chest pad

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Originally Posted by SEATUX View Post
Fabric shop?

The mouse pad is much more dense, which would add padding, but reduce stretch. But you didnt ask for padding, you said the thin suit is being torn apart, so yes, a piece of neoprene would be best.
Please tell me, is the suit "skin in" or "skin out" ?
I believe skin out.
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Old 04-10-2018, 12:21 PM   #8
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Re: Wetsuit chest pad

Skin out, or skin in..as long as one side of the suit is skin. Cut the "chest pad" material the size you want and glue the skin side of the pad to the skin side of the suit ( the pad would be on the outside of the suit if it is a skin out suit, or the inside if the suit is skin in), using neoprene cement, one layer of glue on the suit and one layer on the pad is enough. Now let the glue "flash off" or not be wet/sticky to the touch. Align the two pieces and PRESS together REAL GOOD! Presto..your done!
The question is what material do you have available for the pad? What is "a fabric shop"?
Thickness of the pad? Up to you.

Edit;
using real wetsuit neoprene ( and neoprene cement) you would glue the entire area of contact, not just around the edges

Last edited by SEATUX; 04-10-2018 at 01:04 PM. Reason: to clarify area to glue
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Old 04-10-2018, 01:01 PM   #9
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Re: Wetsuit chest pad

Michaels Jo-Ann Fabrics any store that carries sewing material ask your grandma that's what I did
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Old 04-10-2018, 01:46 PM   #10
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Re: Wetsuit chest pad

I'm no stranger two either of those stores...but was unaware that they sold neoprene with fabric bonded to it ( like in wetsuit material) interesting.
Good luck with your loading pad, show us how it turned out.
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