Wader Repair -- how do I find and fix small leaks?

[ro...@edsug.com]

I've got 3mm Gander Mountain waders which have developed some leaks
from tough vegetation. How can I find and fix these leaks?

[Ken Ihrer]

ro...@edsug.com wrote:
>
> I've got 3mm Gander Mountain waders which have developed some leaks
> from tough vegetation. How can I find and fix these leaks?

First, locate the leaks by using a water hose. Press the nozzel to the
outside of the waders and run it in the areas you suspect a leak. This
will either cause the water to squirt right through or at least leave a
small wet spot where you have a slow leak. You may want to use a
flashlight to look down inside the waders while you are doing this.
Make a mark where each hole is located so you won't forget.

Now, to fix them. Use Aqua-Seal (it can be ordered from Cabela's. This
stuff will patch the hole better than new and you don't have to cut out
patches or remove nylon from the neoprene. It even works on major
holes. I had a stick puncture in the crotch area that was pouring in
water by the gallons. It patched it right up and is stronger now than
it was brand new. I was just about ready to buy a new pair of waders at
around $150 when a $6 tube of Aqua-Seal worked perfectly. This stuff
will even seal holes in your boots.
--
_
_| ~-. Ken Ihrer <kih...@dallas.isd.tenet.edu>
\, _} Lone Star Ducker
\( ticka ticka ticka - bang!

[Sstone847]

Re finding and fixing the leaks in your waders....
You might try using a flashlight in a dark room. Put the flashlight in
the boot, and maneuver it around as much as you can. You might even have
someone give you a hand.
That's how we found holes in the tarps in the firehouse. Hope this helps.
Steve Stone

[Phil Schempf]

ro...@edsug.com wrote:
>
> I've got 3mm Gander Mountain waders which have developed some leaks
> from tough vegetation. How can I find and fix these leaks?

Royce-

Finding leeks is a pain, but a friend told me about a product called
Aquaseal. I had a pair of canvas topped hipboots with a 3 corner tear
about a 1" long on each side. Ted said to goop on some Aquaseal, no need
for a patch. I though, "Ya, right", but darned if it didn't work. I put
a thick layer over the tear after backing it with some tape so it
wouldn't run through the cut. It cured overnight and hasn't even thought
about coming off over the last six months. I've used it on the smooth
rubber of the foot of the boot and it has a tougher time holding on.
Roughing up the rubber with a piece of 50 grit sand paper helps.
Aquaseal should work great on neoprene waders.

Phil

[Dale Anderson]

I've found that the simplest way to find a leak in my waders is to
fill them with water. The leak(s) are then easy to see. If you have
stocking feet waders, first turn them inside out, then you can repair
them on the inside if you desire.

Dale Anderson
Boulder, Colorado
da...@ix.netcom.com

[Dave]

The best way to find leaks is to fill the waders up from the inside.
Take them in the shower and the leak will flow out and then you fix the
leak.

david

[Mark Przybylowski]

Sstone847 <ssto...@aol.com> writes:

An easy way often used down here is to hang them from a peg, and fill them
with water. Pretty soon the leak will be evident :-)

Mark

--
--Mark Przybylowski
Applied Physics Dept. E-MAIL ==>low...@minyos.its.rmit.edu.au

[david mcpherson]

For canvas and rubber waders you can hang a flashlight from a
string and lower it into the waders in a dark room. The pinpoints of
escaping light betray the holes. Neoprene on the other hand, self-seals
small leaks when it's not under pressure so the messier way of filling
them with water is best. It's best done with 2 or 3 people because waders
filled with water are HEAVY. Don't try hanging them on the shower head
unless you like paying plumbers!

-D