Brian Johncey’s Blue Chip is the
oldest family run Windsurfing, Surfing and Stand Up
Paddleboarding centre in the UK.
In 1980 Brian founded Blue Chip, the
Windsurfing and Surfing store along with Express Windsurfing and
Surfboard Repairs, Brian has been working with Structural Polymer fibres
and resins for many years. Brian started building and repairing white
water canoes back in 1970 as a volunteer youth activities leader. Brian
soon gained the reputation as a master repairer in man made structural
polymer materials where a strength to weight ratio was the prime
requisite then just a few years later added the sail repairing arm to
the already successful supply and repair business
Please read ALL the instructions and caution notes before starting your repair.
Wash product that is to be repaired in fresh water and allow to completely dry.
(Do not attempt to repair an area that is not completely dry)
Aqua-Neo-Patch Instructions.
Aqua-Neo-Patch will provide a clean and permanent repair to any
neoprene wetsuit, single or double lined if you follow these
simple directions carefully.
Special note for single lined suits:
If you are repairing the unlined surface of your wetsuit, clean
the unlined surface for repair with an acetone product like nail
varnish remover,
this will remove the impurities from the surface of the raw
neoprene that may resist the heat activated adhesive. Neo Patch
works best on the nylon
lined side of a suit. If you have a gash on a single lined area,
we advise also using “STXsure” To support the Neo-Patch. In
this case, the Neo-Patch
would be applied to the inside (the lined side) and the "STXsure"
would be used to fill the gash and seal the outside of the suit.
This procedure
will give a permanent and professional finish CAUTION; always test the cleaning product to
make sure that it does not cause damage to the neoprene
Cut the Aqua-Neo-Patch with sharp scissors to cover desired
area. The Aqua-Neo-Patch material should be at least 25mm larger
on all sides than damaged area..
Place product that is to be repaired on a firm and secure heat-proof surface. Place patch shiny side down over area to be repaired.
NOTE:
Pre-heat a household iron to DRY, no steam and on Acrylic or
Nylon. NOTE: this setting may be LOW or Delicate on some irons.
The temperature range for Aqua Neo Patch and standard neoprene
is 135°C to 170°C or (275°F to 340°F). It is advisable to make
a test on your neoprene at the lower end of the temperature
range using the heat shielding paper prior to embarking on the
repair proper. An iron that is too hot may damage your neoprene.
Under no circumstances allow the temperature on your iron to
exceed 170°C (340°F)
Place the Aqua Neo Patch over the
damaged area with the heat sensitive adhesive coating (the
shinny side) against the damaged neoprene.
Do not cut the heat shielding
paper.
Cover the entire Aqua Neo Patch
with the full size heat shielding paper.
Using your pre-heated household
iron, press Aqua Neo Patch down firmly for 10 seconds.
Lift and rotate iron, press down
firmly again for approx. 15 more seconds.
Allow a few minutes for cooling. Check to see if material is
secure.
NOTE (for large area repairs you will need to repeat this
process to secure entire Aqua Neo Patch area)
This is the completed repair on a double lined wetsuit
This is the completed repair on a single lined wetsuit
Problems..?
If the Aqua-Neo-Patch does not fully adhere to your wetsuit it
is probably due to either:
The iron not being hot enough.
The "iron on" process was too short
in time scale, remember the "iron on" process must be done
twice!
Not enough pressure was applied to
the Aqua-Neo-Patch during the "iron on" process.
The wetsuit has not been rinsed
well enough in fresh water.
The wetsuit was not completely dry
before the application
CAUTION: Any material
subjected to long periods of extreme heat can be damaged. The
times we have suggested
are averages. We suggest you try a small test piece before
attempting larger repairs.