Keep your blueseventy wetsuit out of direct sunlight whenever you are not swimming. UV light breaks down the outer jersey first, then works into the neoprene. A suit that dries on a sunny deck or sits in a hot car will fade and stiffen long before one that gets rinsed, dried in the shade, and stored indoors.
Why sunlight fades a wetsuit
Ultraviolet light degrades the polymers in neoprene and the dye in the outer fabric. Fading shows first. Stiffness, chalkiness, and small cracks are the later signs. blueseventy builds its wetsuits from Yamamoto neoprene in 38, 39, and 40 cell grades, selected for flexibility and feel. No neoprene benefits from prolonged direct sun, so the goal is to limit exposure before and after every swim.
Rinse after every swim
Salt, chlorine, sunscreen, and body oil sit on the outer fabric after a swim. They leave a residue that makes the suit feel stiff and can wear down the outer layer. Rinse the suit inside and out with cool fresh water. Use a wetsuit shampoo or a small amount of mild soap if the suit has been in sunscreen-heavy water. Do not machine wash, wring, or use hot water.
Dry in the shade
The quickest way to fade a suit is to hang it on a railing in direct sun while it dries. Dry your blueseventy wetsuit indoors or in shade. Lay it flat or hang it on a wide shoulder hanger. Do not hang a wet suit by the neck on a wire hanger. Once the outside is dry, turn the suit inside out so the inside can air out. Keep it away from radiators and other heat sources.
Store away from windows and heat
UV light reaches through windows and glass doors. A closet or gear bin is the safest place for a dry wetsuit. Fold it loosely or hang it on a wide hanger. Avoid sharp creases in the same spot for long stretches. Do not leave the suit in a closed car after training, because heat inside a car is tough on neoprene, and heat plus UV causes fading and brittleness faster than either one alone.
If your suit is already faded
Check the neoprene with your hands. If the material still feels flexible and smooth, the suit can keep working. If it feels stiff or crunchy, or if you see small cracks, the sun has gone deeper into the material. No product will restore lost color, but you can stop further fading by following the rinse, shade-dry, and storage steps above. For small nicks or tears, Aquaseal neoprene cement in the blueseventy care line can help keep a worn suit usable.
Most fading is preventable. Rinse it after every swim, dry it in the shade, store it away from windows and heat, and your blueseventy suit will keep its color and feel much longer. Happy swimming.
