I don't know about you, but I've always had doubts about how to best maintain my wetsuits.
Well, I looked for some tips and here I bring some curious information, tips for use and maintenance.
Let's start from the beginning, with the curiosities, according to Wikipedia:
Neoprene or Neopreno, a registered trademark of DuPont, is the generic name for the polymer chloroprene.
Neopreno was first sold in 1932 under the name DuPrene, an analogy to the company name DuPont. Later, its name was replaced by Neoprene, referring to the idea of "new.
One difficulty we have regarding Neoprene is its disposal or reinsertion back into the production cycle, mainly because it is a non-biodegradable and thermorigid polymer.
Why is it used?
Neoprene suits are isothermal rubber clothing widely used by open water swimmers, triathletes, divers and surfers, which help maintain body temperature even after hours in cold water, providing thermal insulation between the body and the water.
There are many types of clothes, they can be short (shorts and sleeveless), long (length to the ankles and with sleeves), with greater or lesser thickness at certain points of the clothing, with different cuts, panels, designs and purposes. Normally, swimming ones have a thinner cut in the armpits so that the arms have greater mobility. Some come with specific plates for greater buoyancy in certain parts, such as hips and legs.
Tip:
Buying online can often be cheaper, but be careful as items in stock for a long time mean that your rubber is no longer as soft as it should be.
Use and maintenance tips:
Use a fat cream or anti-friction gel on your neck or other parts of the body in contact with the neoprene to avoid friction (or anything else that can be diluted in water).
The traditional Vaseline used is absorbed by the rubber and leaves it greasy, making the lines of the suit tear more easily.
Do not dry the suit in the sun, as this dries out the rubber and lining fabric.
If there is no other way, it will have to be in the sun, you must wash it with fresh water, rinse it with fabric softener and hang it inside out.
Hang from the end of the zipper, which is more reinforced (do not hang from your shoulders).
Indoors, hang and use a dehumidifier.
For small repairs, always use black, elastic glue (Picasso or Decathlon brand). Don't try to use hot glue or super glue 3.
Use cotton gloves to put on the suit, protecting it from possible nails and future punctures.
To store, don't fold it in half, it could leave the collar part too creased and tear at this point (this always happened with my suits and I never understood why...)
Do you have any other tips, suggestions, ideas?
Share with us in the comments!
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