DIY Latex Wrist Seals Inner And Outer Taped Technique

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Once you have identified the type of joining technique, please follow the sequenced instructions below.  It is worth mentioning that occasionally you will find a “non-standard” wrist seal joining technique – this might be as a result of a special request, or in response to some sort of earlier damage to the sleeve, or perhaps the existing seal has been fitted by a non-DAMX service agent.

Please also read the set of written instructions supplied with each set of seals as this provides additional information and guidance.

Download DIY Wrist Seals pdf

Image A: A DAMX dry suit with an over-cuff fitted will usually have a stitched and taped wrist seal joint.
Image B: With the over-cuff pulled back you can see the ring of seamtape covering the joint. This tape will need to be removed.
Image C: This shows the inside of the dry suit. NONE OF THIS TAPE SHOULD BE REMOVED.
Image D: Make a roll of newspaper which will fit inside the sleeve of the dry suit.
Image E: Use a hot air gun to heat up the seamtape and melt the hotmelt adhesive which holds it on. Use pliers or the tip of a knife to start peeling off the seamtape. You should use enough heat to allow the tape to be peeled off easily without leaving any bits of white tape membrane behind. On breathable fabrics use EXTREME caution to avoid burning the fabric. You can adjust the temperature by holding the hot air gun nearer/further, shorter/longer periods or if possible adjust the temperature setting.
Image F: Here you can clearly see the shiny ring of hotmelt adhesive coated fabric and latex which is revealed once the old seamtape has been removed.
Image G: A close up of the ring of hotmelt adhesive.
Image H: Cover the roll of newspaper with a freezer bag or similar to stop the newspaper sticking to the hot melt adhesive later.
Image I: You will need a SHARP pair of scissors next.
Image J: Use scissors to cut off most f the old latex wrist seal, but LEAVE ON ALL OF THE SHINY ADHESIVE COATED PART.
Image K: Here the roll of newspapers covered with a freezer bag has been inserted inside the sleeve end. Also shown is the new latex wrist seal which has a broad band of hotmelt adhesive coated surface on its inner face.
Image L: A close-up of the sleeve end. The shiny area of hotmelt glue will be heated until it melts and bonds to the matching hotmelt adhesive on the pre-prepared latex wrist seal.
Image M: Everything must be allowed to cool fully for the next stage, or the glue will stick immediately, making it difficult to position the wrist seal correctly. Place the new wrist seal on the sleeve end so that there is about 1mm of hotmelt adhesive still visible.
Image N: Especially if you intend to use a hot iron, it is useful to use a biro pen to mark around the wrist every 3cm or so.
Image O: You can use a hot air gun or a hot iron to create the welded joint. Here a hot iron is being used to melt the hotmelt adhesive. Set the iron to somewhere around the "wool" temperature or a little lower. Press quite hard to establish a good heat transfer and if the temperature is correct the glue should melt after 15 seconds or so. If the temperature is too hot, the latex will go shiny and start to melt, smoke and break-down - so go gently - try a short, few seconds of contact initially with just the tip of the iron and then if things look good - proceed, or adjust the temperature accordingly. Use a gloved hand or a roller to press the melted glue layers together and then let that section cool and harden before progressing to the next section. THE MOST COMMON PROBLEM IS NOT USING SUFFICIENT HEAT - THE GLUE DOESN'T MELT FULLY AND YOU GET AN INCOMPLETE BOND.
Image P: You can use a hot air gun instead of a hot iron to heat the hotmelt adhesive. BE VERY CAREFUL not to burn the breathable fabric. Non breathable fabric is much harder to damage. You can heat up all of the latex seal joint at once - work around the seal - rolling the sleeve as you go. Lightly heat up the whole joint first and then use a gloved hand to press the inner glue coated surfaces together to create a lightly "tacked" joint. Then use a lot more heat on one or two marked areas at a time and use a gloved hand or roller to FIRMLY press the hotmelt glue coated surfaces together to create a welded join. You can quite easily see if you are using too much heat as the latex will start to smoke - this is not a disaster as long as you quickly back off the heat by increasing the nozzle distance or decreasing the temperature a bit. THE MOST COMMON PROBLEM IS USING TOO LITTLE HEAT - THE GLUE DOESNT FULLY MELT AND YOU GET AN INCOMPLETE BOND.
Image Q: Using a roller to press the melted glue surfaces together to create a welded joint. Once cool, the wad of newspapers can be removed and the suit is immediately ready for use.
Image R: Using a roller to press the melted glue surfaces together to create a welded joint. Once cool, the wad of newspapers can be removed and the suit is immediately ready for use.
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