just in time for warmer water

[Franz]

I purchased a surplus dry suit.. It's a pilots emergency over-water bail out/ejection suit, designed to go over their flight suit; probably pretty roomy inside! It's marked "For Training Only" which has me wondering just how waterproof it will be. If it turns out turns out to be useless, I'll chalk it up as my first (and last) ebay impulsive mistake.

[oldbeechnut]

Looks good if she works...think I may have one just like it. Mac 200? How much did you get her for? You will be hooked if she works, have not wore a wetsuit in 4 years..

I just did another ebay this week..my first pirate ship...well used..Hope she don't sink on my first outing..http://metaldetectingforum.com/album.php?albumid=2753

[imalookin2]

You are not going to need that next month. Hopefully it is large enough to wear poly or wool type thermals under it with a layer. Pretty cool looking! Did you get the helmet too? You could do Halloween as an astronaut.

[Franz]

OBN, I don't feel so bad about my purchase after seeing your boat! It was $60 & change shipped. I don't remember specifically which version it is. I had a screen shot, but did a shift+delete cleaning up my folders, so I can't dig it up.

Imalookin, no, no helmet! It does come with gloves though!

First thing I'll do when I get it is wax the zippers and give it a bathtub test..

[imalookin2]

I used to own a dry suit for kayaking and did the bath tub test in cold water. I put on shorts and a t-shirt. Try that, you will freeze your butt immediately.

[SingingSandcrab]

Before you do a water test, turn it inside out and check all the seams. Not sure of the material on that suit, but be careful of the soap you use to wash it. On mine I use a soap for Goretex, but Woolite has very good results as well. If it has booties, that is a plus.

Check the gaskets on the neck and wrists too. Stretch it a little to see if the rubber is splitting at all. I have used 303 on mine for years, even before it was recommended. Used it on a hard bottom Zodiac for the pontoons.

Does it have a relief zipper???

Cheers...
SSC

[Franz]

Thanks for all the advice. I'll definitely check the seams first. And now that you got me thinking, I may just wash it w/o soap to be safe. I can't remember what material it's made of. I'll have to pick up some 303 for the gaskets. Hoping I don't have to replace them, but I won't know until it's in my hands. If I recall correctly, it does have relief zippers. I think my biggest concern is that it isn't dry rotted.

Originally Posted by SingingSandcrab

Before you do a water test, turn it inside out and check all the seams. Not sure of the material on that suit, but be careful of the soap you use to wash it. On mine I use a soap for Goretex, but Woolite has very good results as well. If it has booties, that is a plus.

Check the gaskets on the neck and wrists too. Stretch it a little to see if the rubber is splitting at all. I have used 303 on mine for years, even before it was recommended. Used it on a hard bottom Zodiac for the pontoons.

Does it have a relief zipper???

Cheers...
SSC

[SingingSandcrab]

Originally Posted by OBX Franz

Thanks for all the advice. I'll definitely check the seams first. And now that you got me thinking, I may just wash it w/o soap to be safe. I can't remember what material it's made of. I'll have to pick up some 303 for the gaskets. Hoping I don't have to replace them, but I won't know until it's in my hands. If I recall correctly, it does have relief zippers. I think my biggest concern is that it isn't dry rotted.

If it has been in a dry environment either hung or lightly folded you should be fine. If you smoke, keep it away from that, the smoke affects the seals. Seen it first hand.

Depending on the material, heating it with a towel covered iron on low does wonders, as does the water-proofer. Just don't use any spray on waterproofer, like for tents and camping gear. get the good stuff...

I will never go back to a wet suit or waders. All have pluses and minuses, but overall for my style of hunting it fits the bill perfectly, even use it for stream fishing. And when you take it off you are totally clean...

Hope that helps a bit...
Any questions holler...
Cheers
SSC

[Franz]

Originally Posted by SingingSandcrab

Depending on the material, heating it with a towel covered iron on low does wonders, as does the water-proofer. Just don't use any spray on waterproofer, like for tents and camping gear. get the good stuff...


SSC

What water-proofer do you recommend? I don't have a clue which is best. I was actually thinking a spray on, but guess that's a bad idea!

[oldbeechnut]

Frank you have a Mgf date on that and a Mgf name, would help in determining the product you can use. Here is mine, New with tags, think I paid 22o plus ship...Mac200, I hate the leather on it and was thinking of haven it taken off, but seems to be no problem ..sofar, but only used it twice.
Yours looks almost the same, these were ment for chopper pilots. You got a good deal on it ...

[SingingSandcrab]

Originally Posted by OBX Franz

What water-proofer do you recommend? I don't have a clue which is best. I was actually thinking a spray on, but guess that's a bad idea!

It depends on the fabric, Nikwax and Granger are the two most used. I use both. There is both a spray on and a wash in. The spray on will bead longer.

I ment don't just use any spray on water repellant, most fabrics that are water resistant you have to be a bit careful with and use something for that fabric. That and keeping it rinsed/clean. Did not mean to confuse you.

One warning, go test it out with it on. If the fabric breathes slow, when you submerge, sometimes the your legs will float up leaving your head down. Pull your legs up into your body bending your knees, the air will equalize through the suit. For many that is a shocker if not known and if in a "real' situation many panic.

Hope that helps
SSC

[Franz]

Mine is a "CWU-16/P".. MIL-C-38488 Manufacturer is "WRT Inflatable Spec. Inc." Date May 1996. It's made of "chloroprene"? The service tag says it was pulled from service because it was overdue for inspection.

Guess it's time to google chloroprene!

edit- ok, chloroprene is neoprene

[imalookin2]

Use 303 on all your gaskets. Also use it on your coils, coil wires and the MD box. It will keep the sun from killing it. ALSO, cigarettes or any smoke including natural pollution will kill your gaskets. If they are splitting then buy replacements from NOC or another Kayaking company. They should come with the correct glue. You cut off the gasket leaving a certain amount to glue and then replace them. Use 303 on them, your MD, your car dashboard and tires. You can also spray it on any rubber or vinyl surface and prolong the life quite a bit. It works. Never spray silicone sprays on these surfaces. Automobile silicone is not the right thing to spray on your machine or your wetsuit. I would not put anything on your dry suit. It either works or not, nothing you spray on it will fix that.

[Franz]

My dry suit arrived today. It's in much better shape than I expected it to be. The wrist seals are quite tight, which I can live with. But the neck seal is so tight I'm afraid to slip my head through it. I realise it is probably designed to be put on in the water after a bailout, so the seals (and wearer's head) would be slick. I don't want to suffocate (literally). I guess I could trim the seal a little at a time with a pair of scissors. The zipper cannot fully close because the rubber between the teeth is bent in the wrong direction at one spot. Tomorrow I will heat it up and set it right so the zipper can close.

[PI JOE]

Hope it works out for you. I just picked up a cheapo wet suit 2mm for $40 made in china from Ocean State Job Lot! Should be good for July an August.

[oldbeechnut]

McNett Pro Talc will make it easier to get into, plus trim it down alittle so your not choking...
McNett Zip Tec for the zippers, a lube and I have used the MNett Wax also..

I had a drysuit I got about a year ago, New with tags, 65 dollars...First time out,..........put it on the seals were very tight..... when I got out of the water and back home my hands were swollen..cut them back little by little until it was still tight, but not choking tight. Most of the time the seals are marked so you can cut it down in increments ...........

Now we need a pic of you in the beast!

[Franz]

Originally Posted by PI JOE

Hope it works out for you. I just picked up a cheapo wet suit 2mm for $40 made in china from Ocean State Job Lot! Should be good for July an August.

I forgot all about Job Lots! It's hard to describe one to someone who hasn't spent any amount of time in New England. They're neat stores.

[Franz]

Originally Posted by oldbeechnut

McNett Pro Talc will make it easier to get into, plus trim it down alittle so your not choking...
McNett Zip Tec for the zippers, a lube and I have used the MNett Wax also..

I had a drysuit I got about a year ago, New with tags, 65 dollars...First time out,..........put it on the seals were very tight..... when I got out of the water and back home my hands were swollen..cut them back little by little until it was still tight, but not choking tight. Most of the time the seals are marked so you can cut it down in increments ...........

Now we need a pic of you in the beast!

It definitely has wax of some sort on the zipper. I will get more and keep it well waxed. Did some web searching and found corn starch is ok as well as talc, but I think I'll stick with talc. One person wrote DUI says Ivory Dish soap diluted with water is ok for seals, but he uses hair conditioner. It may be a while before I can do any photo-ops, it's gotten warmer and I'm still a bit leery (claustrophobic) of it!

[SingingSandcrab]

For the seals look on the inside, there should be little rings. Get yourself a brand new razor blade and a two liter coke bottle filled with water. turn the neck seal inside out and put the coke bottle in side the neck opening.

With the razor blade, cut along the ring line, usually just above or below it. Try not to lift the razor blade, keep it in contact with the seal. if you lift, you may make a little nub, which will start to split over time. If you want some pics, holler and I will take a few. It is a PITA the first time you do it, but cut down little by little. It should feel firm on your neck, but not choking or uncomfortable. If it leaves an imprint on your skin after 5 minutes on, it is too tight. You want a seal, not a tourniquet.

Luck...
SSC

[SingingSandcrab]

Almost forgot. If the seals are a bit warm, will go on easier. When taking it off, bring a towel, dry your hands as much as possible. Getting it over the head is easy, but pulling it off the hands, if they are wet, is difficult.

Once you get the hang of it, I can get in or out of mine in under a minute. Unbuckling and unzipping my booties and getting them off and on takes longer. Also get a piece of carpet if you have booties attached. Stand on that when you get into or out of. Would not want to step on something sharp and get a pin-hole leak...

Hope this helps a bit...

SSC