That was ME!
Cotal is the accelerant and precleaner we use for repairing neoprene. Basically, aquasure, aquaseal and stormsure are all the same product, in different tubes and at slight different costs. When neoprene is used (and ALL repairs should be made in the inside!) the inner nylon fiber absorbes the oils and salts from sweat and the leakage water and reduces the adhesion of the aquasure. The aquasure sticks to the nylon fibers outside, floating in it. It is dry for a time but eventually the wicking causes a channel below the aquasure float and the leakage starts again.
The best way to repair a tear in neoprene is to make a repair using black witch glue, cheap at £2.99 AND SERIOUSLY PERMANENT. Large punctures are repaired the same way, with the witch sealing the hole right the way through, if it is pull or if necesary cut open. If this is not done the water within the material eventually forms an internal reservoir of water, making a porus area which is really difficult to fix.
Then clean the area using cotal and then mix 50/50 aquasure and cotal. It will become like water and easy to paint on. Wet the repair area with cotal and then paint on the aquaseal mix then heat slightly with a hair dryer, perhaps a minute until a skin appears on the repair, which will be soaked right into the nylon weave. Repeat 3 times until you have a 10p sized chemical patch, perhaps 2mm thick. This will be dry to use and the strongest part of your waders in 2 hours!
This technique works very well for seams and boots as well, and if you have slippery boot soles mix in a little sand and paint on, that really works well. it also works on other wader materials but obviously will stop breathables breathing and can attack the membrane, so test first. Though we have never had a problem new materials are coming out all the time
If you are gluing something to neoprene, such as pockets, use bostic 2402. I can have custom pockets made if required, though these may take some time, and i have a good selection in stock
When we repair waders, we pressurise them with compressed air, and find leaks this way, much easier than filling with water and a real quick puncture finding technique, and no drying is required before repair, so this actually makes for a much cheaper repair (basically £10 ish for a patch or two inc test and re - test)
And please, never repair on the outside, it looks so poor.
Mike, sorry for the blatant advertising and trumpet blowing!
diverdave
