Wetsuit care questions

[Jason]

Hey, would just like to find out how many of you out there rinse your wetsuit in fresh water after a surf, where about you rinse your wetsuit and where you leave it to dry, and lastly where you store your wetsuit?

Thanks,
Jason

Update: We've now got a wetsuit care article on the main site. It's full of tips to help you look after your wettie.

[sinistapenguin]

I've said that I ALWAYS rinse my suit, but that's not technically true.

If I'm away on a trip I won't rinse my suit every day - only when I get home and there will be a gap before I go again!

I have a big old bucket from a 'home brewery' set which I use - it's big enough to rinse 2 suits at a time!

Alternatively I hang my suit on a line and give it a good blast with a hose pipe!

I then hang it to dry in my garage.

Sinista

[little waves]

i live pretty far (like an hour or so) from the beach, so i can't surf every day which gives the suit time to dry. so after my drive home i will usually rinse it out in the shower then hang it on a hanger on the shower head to drip into the tub for a while. sometimes i don't get to it though - try and keep it smelling pretty though

[Jason]

It's really good to get replies from fellow surfers. Thanks. I've got a couple of friends who say that they don't care much about rinsing out their suit or taking care of it, but I get the feeling they're just trying to be cool. After all, wetsuits are so damn expensive these days you have to look after them. Also getting into a sandy suit just isn't fun. I appreciate the feedback and look forward to seeing what the majority of people do.

Ciao,
Jason

[PapaW]

Having invested in a custom made suit from secondskin a few years back I've always looked after it giving it regular freshweater soaks as well as washing out to keep the neopren from drying out.

Every month or so I'll leave it in a bath for 24hours.keeps all the material mobile.

Same suit and its comming up to 3 and a half years I've had it now and its still top notch!

[sinistapenguin]

Good wetsuit care is essential - especially as you say, they are expensive.

My last suit lasted me for 8 years because I took care of it! I got a new board and the fins were so sharp that they just cut through it in a wipe out so I had to bid a tearful farewell!

Sinista

[IrishGirl]

I'd almost always rinse mine out. I just chuck it in the bath will up the water leave it soak for a while (or over night if it's flat the next day) swish it around then hang it on shower head to drip, then onto the back of the bathroom door. Mine doesn't smell though...

[babyboarder89]

i wash my wetsuit, ahem, every time i surf. yep. never forget.

[k mac]

anyone seen what happens first hand ,whan you dont rinse the wetsuit out i know it smells and the seams rot but anythin else

[little waves]

my buddy who runs a surf shop has his rental suits hanging outside on a rack all summer - dont think i've ever see him wash out any of them. went to see him a few days ago and each suit was ripped to shreds. mostly the hanger tearing through brittle neoprene dried out from the sun (not a smart idea). tip: rinse it out and do not put it in the sun to dry. also do not store on a hanger, lay it flat, maybe under the bed or something. fold it in half if you need to, but flat is best.

[k mac]

oh S**T mines been on a hanger in my cuboard its always rinsed out and i say that with confidence .ive had it 2 years and its in pristine condition and it still fitts i think i bought a bit baggy coss its a perfect fitt now but i think im just gonna take it of the hanger now .. cheers for the advice you miteve saved me from some embarresment

[surferdude_scarborough]

a caot hanger is ok as long as it is nic and wide so that it does not cut through the neoprene

[little waves]

yeah, i put it on a hanger to dry an all - the plastic ones. hanger for a short amount of time=ok hanger+sun+long time=new suit