Most leaky blueseventy wetsuits are repairable at home. Before you reach for glue, decide whether the suit is actually leaking. A swim wetsuit is designed to let a thin layer of water inside, where your body warms it. Feeling wet inside is normal. A repair issue shows up as a steady stream of cold water entering at a specific spot, or as a visible hole, tear, or seam separation.
Is it a leak or normal water entry?
Start with the neck, wrists, and ankles. If water flushes in around those openings, the usual cause is a donning issue or a fit issue, not damage. blueseventy wetsuits should feel snug on dry land and loosen slightly once wet. Pull the legs up high, work the suit up through the torso, and settle the neck panel flat against your throat. Wrinkles and bunching can open gaps that let water through. If the suit is too large through the chest, hips, or neck, excess fabric channels water even without a hole.
A small amount of water inside is part of how a wetsuit provides thermal protection. Watch for a specific cold stream. That points to a puncture, seam split, or zipper leak.
Locate the damage
Turn the suit inside out and inspect the high-stress zones first. Fingernail punctures happen on the shoulders, chest, and thighs where people grip the neoprene during donning. Heel tears happen at the ankle opening when a foot catches the edge. Seam separation shows up inside the arms or along the back.
For pinholes, work in a dim room and put a flashlight inside a sleeve or leg. Light shines through the small holes. Mark each one with a small piece of masking tape or chalk on the outside.
Check seams by looking for gaps or loose adhesive. Do not pull hard enough to stretch the seam. Check the zipper as a separate item. If the zipper teeth are broken or the zipper base has separated from the suit, set the suit aside and contact blueseventy support at us@blueseventy.com before gluing. Zipper damage from force needs more than cement.
Clean and dry the damaged area
Neoprene cement sticks best to a clean, dry surface. Rinse the damaged area with fresh water. Use a mild wetsuit shampoo if you have it, then rinse again. Let the area dry completely, away from direct sun and heat. Do not use solvents, bleach, or household cleaners. They can break down the neoprene and the existing seam adhesive.
Repair small punctures and tears
blueseventy carries Aquaseal neoprene cement for neoprene repairs. For a pinhole, apply a small drop of cement to the hole on the outside and work it into the puncture. You can apply a second small drop on the inside. Do not overdo it. A thick blob hardens into a stiff spot that rubs.
For a tear, align the edges so the neoprene meets without bunching. Apply a thin layer of cement to both edges. Press them together and hold the seam closed while the cement tacks up. For a tear longer than roughly a fingernail width, reinforce the inside with a small neoprene patch. Apply cement to both the patch and the suit, wait for the cement to become tacky, then press the patch over the tear. Use masking tape on the outside to hold everything in place while it cures.
For a split seam, apply cement into the opened seam, press the panels together, and lay the suit flat with the seam supported. Avoid repositioning the suit while the cement cures. Follow the cure time on the product label. Do not use super glue, rubber cement, duct tape, or household silicone. They cure stiff and fight the neoprene's flex.
Test the repair before race day
Once the cement has cured fully, rinse the suit and do a short pool or calm-water swim. Notice whether the cold stream is gone. A properly repaired pinhole or small tear closes completely. If the leak continues around the zipper or a seam, stop and seek a professional repair or contact blueseventy support.
Keep the next leak from starting
Most punctures come from fingernails during donning. Follow these habits to protect the neoprene and the seams:
- Grip the suit with the pads of your fingers, not your fingertips and nails.
- Put a plastic bag over your foot or hand before pulling the suit on if you need extra slide.
- Rinse the suit in fresh water after every salt or chlorine swim.
- Dry it inside out first, then right side out, away from direct sun and heat.
- Store it flat or draped over a wide hanger so the shoulders do not stretch.
If the damage looks like a manufacturing or materials defect, and you are the original owner within the one-year warranty window, contact blueseventy support before attempting a repair. Warranty repair is for defects, not normal wear or accidental punctures, but the support team can tell you which route applies.
