Open Cell Freedive Suits - store them inside out or right side out?

[SBH20Man]

I've had vehement advice on both sides, and curious if there is a consensus on this issue. This is my first "open cell" wet suit.

So far what I've been doing is drying it inside out to make sure the rubber is dry, then storing it right side out for protection. A buddy of mine SWEARS that this is the wrong thing to do, but I feel like storing it with the raw neoprene on the outside would lead to a lot more tears.

Opinions?

Thanks,

Brent

[Bill McIntyre]

I'm not sure it matters, but I hang mine inside out so that it can dry, and then usually don't get around to turning it right side out until the next time I go diving. Its hanging up, so tears are not a concern.

[Icarus Pacific]

Dry it inside out and leave it if it's only going to be a few days. More than that and if the rubber is still new-ish and gummy, turn it right-side out and dust the inside real lightly with cornstarch to prevent the rubber from glom-ing to itself. This step is mainly for suits made of the higher grade Yamamoto and Haiwa. If your suit is from Andy at BWH, forget the cornstarch unless you're stashing it for the Winter.

And use a lube to put the suit on! It doesn't matter if it's lined, unlined or bare, use lube! Andy has SuitSlip there or you can get it from me at www.*************.com

[SBH20Man]

If your suit is from Andy at BWH, forget the cornstarch unless you're stashing it for the Winter.

Thanks, Icarus. I'm using an Apnea suit, so don't know if it is the 'high end' rubber - I suspect not, but it is still the warmest suit I've ever owned! :D

And use a lube to put the suit on! It doesn't matter if it's lined, unlined or bare, use lube! Andy has SuitSlip there or you can get it from me at www.*************.com

I've been using a ~10% solution of Pantene conditioner, mostly because I've been too lazy to go down to Andy's shop to get some of your stuff (I've seen it there). The Costco Pantene seems to be working, plus it "leaves body hair shiny and healthy, while helping to protect its natural volume..." :D

[Icarus Pacific]

That discount hair crap is costing you your suit. The Apneas use a pretty good grade of rubber.

I've gone the better part of a half year with a bottle of the SuitSlip and I'm in the water every week, so it's actually more cost effective and it doesn't jack up the rubber of the suit like a hair product does. Mix the contents of the sprayer with water, salt or fresh and use. One it get's half used, add more water and you're done.

And you'll be just as shiny and all afterwards... :sleep:

[Totoop]

Don't use hair conditioners to lube suits, the oils will mess up the rubber. I to have an apnea suit and at first would just use a mix of hand soap and water but after breaking it in a bit i found that even just wetting the inside with plain water was enough to slip in with a little effort, no tears yet! I believe apnea suits use nam liong neoprene?

[Aquarius]

I have gotten the same information about using conditioner on open cell suits from Dano at Mako. He said it will break down the suit and the glue on the seams. He recommended an antibacterial handsoap. I use Method dish soap at my house and it is natural, antibacterial, and biodegradeable. Seems like a good all around alternative to buying actual suit lube. Protect your suit and protect the environment. And you still smell great when you get outta your suit. Hahaa!!

[SBH20Man]

Don't use hair conditioners to lube suits, the oils will mess up the rubber.

Interestingly, the site where the suit was purchased specifically recommends hair conditioner. That's what I love about the Internet - you can find "proof" to support just about any argument. :-)

I'm using a REALLY weak mixture of conditioner, and it seems too slick, frankly. Today I think I'm gonna try plain water and see how that goes, because it makes sense that there might be crap in there that's bad for the neoprene (like the fragrances and glycerin/dimethicone type stuff that makes hair lay down softly)

I have gotten the same information about using conditioner on open cell suits from Dano at Mako.

'nuff said - there's the most authoritative source so far - I've talked to Dano a couple of times and I'd take him at his word. I guess I'll be going with plain water until I can get some suit slip. ;-)

[msuzuki126]

I guess I'll be going with plain water until I can get some suit slip. ;-)

Any antibacterial soap will be fine though. What I do is put a couple drops into a water bottle, shake it up and then use that to put the suit on. Works perfectly

[Aquarius]

Any antibacterial soap will be fine though. What I do is put a couple drops into a water bottle, shake it up and then use that to put the suit on. Works perfectly

Precisely. :cool:

[Bill McIntyre]

I've been using Unicure for years, and my suits last longer than those of my friends.

" NO PERFUME, NO COLOR, NO DRYING ALCOHOL!!!!!!!"



http://unicure.com/unicure2/conditioner.htm

[Icarus Pacific]

Any antibacterial soap will be fine though. What I do is put a couple drops into a water bottle, shake it up and then use that to put the suit on. Works perfectly

There's a thread here somewhere yakking about the merits of suit lubes, Bill can you put it up?

To you soap types- the very definition of a soap is a solvent that breaks up the adhesion of the grease, dirt, sweat, what have you. Neoprene rubber being a petrochemical based product responds negatively to a solvent- the glue breaks down and/or the material loses it's ability to maintain it's thickness, getting thinner so you get colder and then it shears and rips.

You wanna go spend $350-400+ on a good, I mean a good suit and then go cheap on the lube? That's like buying a real good vehicle and putting some crap you get from WalMart in the crankcase.

During tests in the formualtion of SuitSlip, a number of samples were aged and tested with antibiotic soaps and hair products and they all to a one, came away with damage ranging from delaminated seams to shearing to just plain smelling like the counter at Macy's that won't wash out.

For the $12.00 and postage, you can do a lot worse. Just use soaps and hair products. Go to www.*************.com and click on the comments from a number of members here that have made the switch to SuitSlip. And then go to the links and see that Freedive Shop is shipping bottles of SuitSlip with the suit purchases. That's gotta tell you something about the performance. When you order it, make a note you're a SB member and I'll knock a buck off.

[WESTBURY]

I can vouch for the Suitslip. Just ordered some more today.
I use to buy the cheap stuff at the .99 cent store but after trying the Suitslip, I'm a convert. I got my first bottle at the begining of summer and I'm still using the same one ( although almost gone)!
A little goes a long way.
Good stuff.:thumps:

[Calif_Diver]

Dang you mean the Castrol i put in my truck that i buy from wal mart is junk , but i did buy some suit slip, just need to get to the water now.

[Icarus Pacific]

Thanks for the pimp, Joe.

[Icarus Pacific]

The money you saved by buying the Castrol :down: at WallyWorld you can put to my floatline I PM'd you about. :cool:

You want troubles, go do my F350's oil change, all three filters and 24 qts of Shell Rotella.

[WESTBURY]

Thanks for the pimp, Joe.

Welcome.

[Calif_Diver]

The money you saved by buying the Castrol :down: at WallyWorld you can put to my floatline I PM'd you about. :cool:

You want troubles, go do my F350's oil change, all three filters and 24 qts of Shell Rotella.

LOL , im a cheap bastard thats why i shop at non union Wal_Mart, i appreaciate the offer on the floatline i was hoping to get something yellow or ill be posting up on the lost and found board, i tend to lose alot of my gear, good thing for the dive buddy who seems to find it all for me lol.