wader repair

[macd]

a new section for that favourite job....mending the waders again

let the wailing begin!

[kingfisher]

No wailing, just a tip on saving money!

I picked this up from another site, and its not to waste money buying Aquasure. Instead get along to B&Q and for less money buy their rubber/waterproof glue.

What you get for your bucks is a tube far larger than that minuscule tube for £5.99 of Aquasure for less cash.

Oh and you don't have to stick it in the freezer after opening it!!

kf

[dryfly]

If your felt soles are comming off as mine were last year. Get some Evo-Stik Serious Stuff Wet Grab. Available in the usual DIY outlets and not expensive (£4) I think. You'll need a frame gun like you use for mastic, silicon etc. I took the felt right off the boots, gave everything a good (dry) scrub with a scrubbing brush. Applied the Wet Grab liberally. Then the most tricky bit, fixing the soles back on. Eventually (and covered in Wet Grab) I used a couple of G clamps to hold the soles in place then taped the boots up with strong tape and took the clamps off as I needed them for another job, but you could leave them on for 24hrs. Before the Wet Grab cures clean off the stuff that oozes out the sides - I said use it liberally. Wet Grab is for use under water and comes in a shiny blue tube.

[macd]

i take my waders to see diverdave.

it was his idea for this section, so be sure to ask him plenty questions!!

[diverdave]

For boot repairs, I use Bostic 2402, same glue as is used to make inflatable rescuse boats. it is readily available and seriously strong. If the soles are loose, just rip them off, apply 4 very thin coats of glue to both surfaces after roughening the surfaces.

Allow each to dry and then cover in cling film. The glue cannot stick to this. Align up the sole and then gently ease out the clingfilm. Give the sole a good push down, i use a roller and that is it, ready to use in 20 minutes.
I have boots like this still going on seven years later! I am happy to give instruction or just do it for you!

[diverdave]

Wader repairs are coming at me thick and fast at the moment, but turn round times are still ok, at about a couple of days for simple pressure tests and a couple of patches. Complete seam re seals are taking a week at the moment, as there is two - three nights of drying time between coats. I am working on a technique to speed this up, but do not want the quality to slip so i need some more testing before i am happy
Replacing boot soles, barbed wire tears and the like are still quite quick, at about a day or two.
I am planning a collection and delivery service on Deeside, with a complimentary loan set of waders if required. Anyone needing a hand with wader or boot repair please pm me.

[diverdave]

All, an update:

For the last few years I have been repairing anglers waders. For many years I was a diver, running my own business. A large part of the business was dry suit repair, as they are very expensive and only last about 5-10 years. However like most anglers I found myself replacing my waders every second season,
I decided to attempt to pressure test the wader’s using the same technique as I used for dry suits, and then to repair them to dive suit standards. I got a loan of all my friends waders, most of which had a leak or two and pressure tested them using compressed air. I found that they all leaked in the same places, and that the problem was always the manufacturing technique, they were simply not made to last, the seams, particularly in the crotch and feet being the common leak points. I then compared the seams of dive suits and waders and found that the taping was very poor, however this was an easy fix.
DUI, the world’s most expensive suits last for years, 10 - 20 not being unusual. They never leak at the seams so I went to them for training, to learn how to make the seams properly. I took them some waders to look at and they laughed at the quality. However they were able to make the seams of my own waders incredibly strong.
We then started repairing wader in the business, however I decided to retire from diving a couple of years ago and this ground to a halt. I still did the odd repair for friends but now am getting waders from all over the country so have decided to start doing waders again, I have set up my shed as a workshop and am getting a good few in.
What I do is pressure test them using compressed air, and do a bubble check on them. The advantage of this is that we find weak points as well as leaks, so we repair problems before they occur. Leaks are marked and then the waders are washed and dried. We used to use aquasure as a sealant, however it is too thick, it sits in top of the weave of the material and does not soak in properly. What we now do is thin the glue right down to a consistency of water, and paint this on. We generally use about 4 coats thinly painted on to breathables, and 6+ on neoprenes, as the weave is much thicker and more absorbent. All repairs are made in the inside, so your waders look ok when being worn. This actually makes sense, as this is where the tape is. We do a much wider seam than the manufacturers and it really lasts, it is stronger than the wader material. Once dry we re-pressure test, to ensure that they are 100% air tight, and re repair as necessary. Pin holes, tears and the like are repaired in the same way, and we can even reduce the size of neoprene socks and replace them if the sock is available. My own waders, Hardy’s had a complete seam re seal at the end of their first years, once the warranty ran out. They are now in their 4rth season and have no leaks.
As this is basically a hobby I am happy to advise on wader repairs, or will do any repairs required on your waders. I keep the cost as low as possible, just enough to cover my costs and to fund a couple of pints and the odd days fishing. Prices range from £10 for a pressure test and puncture repairs to £45 for a breathable wader’s complete seam re seal and tests. I aim for same day puncture repair and a week for a complete re seam/re seal.
Pm me for any wader advice or if you want me to repair your waders. You can post them to me or drop of in a couple of local shops and I will collect them (cheaper direct to me though!)

[salar76]

Hi Dave - you certainly did the business on my waders. Having thought they were as good as shot it's a very welcome change to have a dry day in the river.

Thanks!

BTW - do you do felt replacements?

[diverdave]

Many thanks, glad you are now enjoying dry fishing.

Yes, felt replacements are no problem, I use Bostic 2402, designed for making inflatable boats this one is seriously strong! It really lasts for years, in fact i have no idea how long it lasts as i have never had a felt replacement come loose.

[greenbanks]

Dave-I have been very happy with the repairs you did to my neoprene waders, which I know are tricky to mend. I have a pair of Simms breathables that seem to be leaking and wonder if you can do a repair for me? Its a seam issue.

[diverdave]

No problem, i would be happy to do them for you, i will be up Deeside on thursday so will collect them then if this is ok and will get them back to you on Saturday morning. Hopefully this will be ok.

Cheers

dave

[macd]

dave, thanks for giving my waders the full service: repairing the leaks seam proofing and the treatment for the weak spots.

excellent service and a free hit on the glue if you collect them in person.

[ballingall512]

I have a pair of breathables, that are lets say, seeping, rather than leaking, as they seem to be letting in a LOT of water from the knees down, and it appears to be coming through the front around the shin area, not a single puncture, but more of a seive.

Beyond repair or worth fixing???

[Stevie]

Apr 20, 2010 20:58:16 GMT ballingall512 said:

I have a pair of breathables, that are lets say, seeping, rather than leaking, as they seem to be letting in a LOT of water from the knees down, and it appears to be coming through the front around the shin area, not a single puncture, but more of a seive.

Beyond repair or worth fixing???

nuffin a wee bit ae glue canny help

[macd]

Apr 20, 2010 20:58:16 GMT ballingall512 said:

I have a pair of breathables, that are lets say, seeping, rather than leaking, as they seem to be letting in a LOT of water from the knees down, and it appears to be coming through the front around the shin area, not a single puncture, but more of a seive.

Beyond repair or worth fixing???

dave, when i went round to collect my waders (and sniff a bit glue) dave showed me his technique for fixing problems as you describe.

so without, putting words in his mouth, I reckon he can sort it no problemo.