I don’t know if anyone has tried this before, but I have been experimenting with what could be a very good temporary repair of torn or worn out waders. My old waders (breathable Chota’s) had some spots in the crotch where the waterproof material had worn away from ordinary use. I saw an ad on the tv for “FlexSeal”, that spray on/paint on waterproofing material, and it got me thinking’
“If it can seal a screen door in a boat, why wouldn’t it seal leaking waders?” It turned out that the ‘Flexseal’, worked ok for a little while (about 1 hour of wade time), it just didn’t hold up under all the moving around, and I once again experienced the ‘wet bottom syndrome’. Then I happened to see the ad for “FlexTape”, that supposedly worked even under water. I told myself, “What the heck, it can’t be any worse then the original experiment”, and went and purchased a roll of it (a little pricey, at $12 a roll at Walmart). Surprise, surprise!!! The initial testing showed that it worked!!! Two hours into the fishing and no leaking!!! The jury is still out, however, as I want to test it further. Will post the results as soon as I finalize.
I was wondering if anyone else had hit upon this idea. Replies welcome!!
I have a pair of breathable will a little age on them that have started leaking around the booties. I am considering spraying them on the exterior with NeverWet outdoor formulation. A $20 bottle is supposed to cover 60 sq. ft. so even if I determined I needed to spray them every trip it would be a good investment.
UJ,
I have the same situation with my “older” waders so I looked into the NeverWet product. Methinks it is a waterproofing agent and NOT a sealant. It will waterproof your waders but do nothing for the leak.
Aquaseal is for a permanent repair. If you thin it with toluene, it will cure in 4-6 hours. Repair on the inside of the waders so the outside remains pristine.
I use my Flex UV cure for temporary/permanent repairs of pinhole leaks, hook holes, etc when I am on a trip. Again on the inside.
I use A DWR (durable water repellant) coating to renew the factory coating and prevent wet out. I know that NikeWax TX Direct works. Here is what Gortex says about restoring DWR
Some wader companies will say not to dry the waders in a dryer. But DWRs are heat activated so some heat is needed. I use the permanent press low heat setting on my dryer and have had no problems. The waders need to be washed with a powder NON-scented detergent. Do not use liquid.
The science behind these coatings is based on imitating the water lotus leaf which repels water.
Let me give Aquaseal another boost. I called the NeverWet people, lady actually sounded knowledge of the use of waders and said NeverWet was not intended for being submerged.
I tried Hydrobead on my flies. Didn’t help at all. $30 wasted. May work on shoes but not on flies. I didn’t use it on my waders. Nikewax TX is cheaper and I know it works and is durable.
Aquaseal is a urethane. Shoe Goo and I think Goop are also urethanes and can be thinned with toluene/toluol. The advantage of Aquaseal is that it is clear and less apparent if you need to seal stuff on the outside.
After using, put it in a zip lock bag and store it in the freezer and it will keep for years. Otherwise, you will need it in 2 years and find that it has cured in the tube. I have Aquaseal that is 10 years old that I am still using. With it in the freezer you will always know where it is.
Good info, guys! But…, I was intending this as a quick fix discussion. All these products you’ve mentioned take TIME to cure/apply. The FLEX TAPE product can even be applied underwater. It might just be that little piece of something that saves a day of fishing. My next test was going to be just that, patching a hole while wading (I know most of you have experienced a hidden stick that had punctured your waders). Don’t know when I will be able to do the test though, it turned COLD here in Michigan. LOL
I have made an overnight repair with the Aqua Seal. Seems that a pair of hip boots was leaking at the upper sole edge of the boot. I simply applied a smear of the AquaSeal in the area (exterior) after the boot had dried off in the sun, and put the boots to use the next morning (was dry to the touch) and that was the end of that leak.
This is not a quick fix. But I have Simms waders. With simple pin hole leaks I use plain old Liquid Stitch from the clothing department at Wal-Mart. So far all the holes I have done with it…and in another pair of waders different brand…are still not leaking. I just spread it on and let it set overrnight. It dries flexible. Works for me. Just fyi…
