Wasted $350 on a cheap drysuit zipper repair kit...

Tried to fix a busted zipper on my DUI drysuit myself with one of those 50 dollar repair kits from eBay. Ended up making it way worse and had to ship the whole suit to Diving Unlimited in San Diego for a real fix that ran me 300 bucks plus shipping. Total waste of time and money, should have just sent it in from the start. Anyone else learn this lesson the hard way or know a shop that does zipper repairs cheaper?

2 comments

2 Comments

violagonzalez15d ago

Honestly, most people overlook that those cheap repair kits use adhesive that's totally different from what the factory uses on a DUI suit. The materials don't bond right with the silicone or rubber they use, so it peels off or lets water in. I've heard from a few guys that even the professional repair shops in Florida charge similar rates because it's all about getting the right heat welded seam sealant, not just slapping on glue. You're not alone, the mistake is basically a rite of passage for drysuit divers.

avery_foster3115d ago

Not totally sure about that though. DUI actually does use a solvent based adhesive on their older suits and the cheap kit stuff is basically just aquaseal which bonds fine to the right material if you prep it right. It's more about people not roughing up the surface enough or letting it cure long enough before testing it.