It starts with that sinking feeling-maybe literally, if water’s finding its way in. You pull your wetsuit out of your gear bag and spot a small tear or puncture in the neoprene. The good news? Small rips and fingernail nicks are among the most common wetsuit casualties, and they’re absolutely fixable without sending your suit off for weeks. Here’s how to get your blueseventy wetsuit water-tight again, the swimmer’s way.
First, assess the damage
Take a close look. A clean fingernail puncture, a small L-shaped cut from a toenail while putting the suit on, or a tiny split along a seam-these are all DIY-friendly if they’re under about a centimeter long and not in a high-tension area (like right next to a zipper or in the middle of a buoyancy panel). Full-thickness tears that go all the way through the neoprene can usually be repaired at home, too, as long as they’re small.
If you see a long gash, a blown seam, or damage around the zipper, that’s a different conversation-contact our support team at us@blueseventy.com and we’ll help you figure out the next move. But for the typical “how did that get there?” tear, grab a tube of neoprene cement and let’s fix it.
What you’ll need
- Aquaseal neoprene cement (the same stuff you’ll find in our wetsuit care collection-formulated for the flexible, closed-cell neoprene in your blueseventy suit)
- Painter’s tape or masking tape
- Something flat to spread the cement-a plastic knife, an old credit card, or the built-in applicator on the tube
- A clamp or heavy object (a couple of books, a smooth rock in a plastic bag, etc.)
- Rubbing alcohol or a clean, damp cloth
Everything here costs less than a post-swim coffee, and you’ll have cement left over for the next inevitable mishap.
Step-by-step repair
- Clean and dry the area. Small tears often hide salt, chlorine, or body oils. Wipe both sides of the tear with a damp cloth and a little mild soap, rinse, then dry thoroughly. If you have rubbing alcohol, wiping the area right around the tear helps the cement bond. The neoprene must be bone-dry inside the cut.
- Tape off the tear on the outside (smooth-skin side). Place a piece of tape on the exterior of the suit, directly over the tear, pulling the edges together gently. This gives you a flat backing and prevents cement from oozing onto the outer face and creating a stiff, ugly patch. The repair happens from the inside (the fabric or jersey side) whenever possible.
- Apply cement from the inside. Squeeze a small bead of Aquaseal into the tear, then use your spreader to push it into the split and smooth a thin layer over the surrounding neoprene, about a quarter-inch beyond the tear in all directions. You’re bonding both the raw edges and the fabric lining. Don’t slather-a thin, even coat cures stronger.
- Clamp or press and let it cure. If the tear is at an edge (like a leg opening), you can fold the suit so the repair is sandwiched flat, then weight it down. For a tear on a smooth panel, press the inside repair face-down onto a flat surface lined with wax paper or plastic wrap, then place a book or a few pounds of weight on top. Leave it completely undisturbed.
Cure time: At room temperature, Aquaseal sets up in about 4-6 hours and fully cures in 12-24. Patience here is everything-if you rush to pull the suit on, you’ll just peel the fresh repair apart. Once cured, peel off the tape on the outside and trim any tiny excess with nail scissors if needed.
Did it work?
Flex the repaired area gently with your thumbs. It should feel solid and show no separation. A proper cement repair won’t look invisible-you’ll see a slight sheen or texture-but it will stay flexible and keep the water out. If you still feel a cold trickle during your next swim, dry the suit and repeat the process; sometimes a second thin layer is all it takes.
A note on prevention (because the best repair is the one you don’t need)
The most common culprit? Fingernails when pulling on the suit. blueseventy suits use high-grade Yamamoto neoprene that’s incredibly flexible-which also means it merits a little extra care during dressing. Use the pads of your fingers, not your nails, and bunch the suit up slowly rather than yanking. If you’re wearing a suit with thin, race-grade panels (like a Helix), take an extra second when pulling it over your calves and shoulders.
Heel tears happen, too-usually when you step into the leg opening with a sharp toenail or force the suit on while it’s twisted. A pair of thin swim socks or just paying attention to the suit’s seams during entry can make a world of difference.
Keep swimming
Small tears aren’t a death sentence for your wetsuit-they’re practically a rite of passage for anyone who swims regularly. With a tube of Aquaseal and ten minutes of care, you’ll get back to focusing on your stroke, not your gear. And if you ever need a refresher or want to pick up cement, gloves, or any other wetsuit care item, take a peek at our accessories collection on the site.
Happy Swimming!
