Latex seals next to a tank overnight

I know better, but I just ruined another latex wrist seal... Being lazy, I didn't hang a dry suit after use, and after a night in the back of a (hot) blazer, a part of the wrist seal, lying adjacent to a tank, had a chemical reaction and it 'rotted'. I won't do this again, not for a few months anyway...

Anyone have any comment on whether a latex cleaner/conditioner works and/or really makes a difference?

[Tegg]

I know better, but I just ruined another latex wrist seal... Being lazy, I didn't hang a dry suit after use, and after a night in the back of a (hot) blazer, a part of the wrist seal, lying adjacent to a tank, had a chemical reaction and it 'rotted'. I won't do this again, not for a few months anyway...

Anyone have any comment on whether a latex cleaner/conditioner works and/or really makes a difference?

Time to buy zip seals and keep a few handy... :wink:

Time to buy zip seals and keep a few handy... :wink:
Joe ... I take it you like your zip seals. Have you ever had a problem with them? Any likes and / or dislikes?

[Tegg]

Time to buy zip seals and keep a few handy... :wink:
Joe ... I take it you like your zip seals. Have you ever had a problem with them? Any likes and / or dislikes?

They were a little tricky to "install" properly... Had a few wet dives.

Now that I have been explained the "secrets" of installing the zipseals right, all is right as rain.

The biggest plus to them is I can literally swap them in and out in under a minute... Hell of alot better then the "normal" seal swap... :D

[Alan Owens]

Anyone have any comment on whether a latex cleaner/conditioner works and/or really makes a difference?[/quote]

I used to store my drysuit in the laundry room and generally ignored the maint on the seals. The seals that came with the suit lasted around 9-10 months. I was told that the dryer produced some type of ionized something or other and that contributed to the early demise.
I have been regularly using "UV tech" I think it is called, and these seals are going on their 4th year. They look fine but I will probably change them soon as a precautionary measure ( for sure now that I hexed them like Rich did to himself in his post about stolen gear).
Have a good time and a safe dive,
Alan

Thanks guys.

tj

[MikeH]

I toss my drysuit in the garage(not hanging) on a rack with a bunch of other gear...like my harness. My seals tend to last 12-18 months. I figure it's not a big deal replacing them that often.....but I may go with the zip seals next time I have to replace them.

Mike

<now waiting to have all three seals fail on me at max penetration on my next dive since I opened my big mouth>

[Jay]

I have had good luck with Seal Saver, ...when I use it. :)

I am out a wrist seal also on my 5mm neoprene. Two years it lasted under a lot of abuse. I think it is time for a new one. Ideally I would like to find a 7mm trunk with 5mm arms and legs and a cuff dump.

[DeWayne]

I started using tire talc (found at NAPA) for lube and the UV Tech in between trips. I have about 2 years on my current seals and they are in great shape. I think proper storage has more to do with it than anything, but I don't see where it is hurting them using the UV Tech.