pinholes in waders

[Pete_G]

This is a combo of a rant and request for other ideas.

There's a lot of so called "tricks" out there. Rubbing alcohol works fairly well; I've used it many times with success and it is usually my weapon of choice. Sometimes it can be tough to effectively apply it though while monitoring the results especially in lower parts of the waders. Which is my problem tonight.

Then we have the flashlight trick. I just tried it for the first time ever and I have to say I'm completely unimpressed. Whoever came up with that idea never actually tried it. I couldn't tell that it worked at all.

It's off to the bathtub I guess...

[Skitterpop]

I`ve tried a few...water inside works best.

A few times I just waited till I felt water coming in.... going deeper in increments then that narrowed down entry point along with wet spots inside.

Or go LL Bean and just return

[Pete_G]

Yeah I hate downtime though that's why I'd never bother with Cabelas or LL Bean unless I had one locally. Shipping back and forth and waiting is a pain.

I don't want to fill the waders with water either since I'll have to wait for the boot to dry but I think it's going to come to that.

I have several sets of waders so I can repair one and wear another but they all leak right now....

[shadow]

that is one more plus w/ the stockingfoot just turn them inside out and fill them up w/ water then you can mark where you want to seal.

[Pete F.]

Originally Posted by shadow

that is one more plus w/ the stockingfoot just turn them inside out and fill them up w/ water then you can mark where you want to seal.

Sometimes the solution is so simple that you just want to do one of those three stooges moves

[Pete_G]

I'm going to give soapy water a try today. Hopefully I can avoid a wet bootfoot...

[NIB]

Originally Posted by Pete_G

I'm going to give soapy water a try today....

Well it's about time.

[NIB]

Fillin em works just a little at a tim take care not to get the outside wet.Or u kinda defeat the purpose.If it's pinholes it's kinda tough to tell where they leak from as broad area's of the material gets wet.I am done with expensive waders like u say i'm not into sending things back.An the down time involved.I'm just gonna get a couple pairs of the cheapo lightwieght hodgemans when i blow one out get another.The boots will dry fast.Turn em inside out an use newspaper in the boots.

[Swimmer]

I'm with NIB on the soapy water thing. Thank you.

[cheferson]

Originally Posted by Pete_G

Yeah I hate downtime though that's why I'd never bother with Cabelas or LL Bean unless I had one locally. Shipping back and forth and waiting is a pain.

Last time my ll bean waders leaked, they sent me out a new pair right away, got them in 2 days, then i returned the damaged pair.

[fcap60]

I have pin hole issues. what exactly is the warm soapy water method ?

[Clogston29]

Use a hair dryer on the boots, just set it on cool.

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by fcap60

I have pin hole issues. what exactly is the warm soapy water method ?

Just get some air trapped inside the waders to get some postive pressure inside and spray some soapy water on the outside.

I like to stick a pin in the spot where it's bubbling so I can find exactly the spot on the inside to patch.

[fcap60]

Thank you

[scoobe]

Ah, so you put the patch on the inside? I've always put my patches on the outside!

[rockyroady]

Any reason not to patch inside and outside for insurance?

[Pete_G]

I don't think there's any reason not to do both but on breathables I've almost always done the inside only. I find with the right repair product and a clean application it takes to the waders in a VERY permenant way.

Aquaseal and also a newer product called Loon UV Wader patch have always worked for me.

I have seen a few pairs of waders, my Simms being one of them, where the outside of the wader was much less receptive to glue then the inside. Maybe because of the tough nylon on the outside, I'm not sure. I think when they're new they have some sort of water repellant on them as well and I would think that would create issues as well for some glues as far as getting a good bonds. Old style canvas waders or neoprene that are the same inside and out you might as well do both for extra peace of mind.

[Skitterpop]

Pete

I think its teflon.

You talked of down time. Ordered 1/2 price boot foot waders from LL Bean Tuesday night....on my doorstep UPS this morning! Thats good service!

[Pete_G]

Finally figured out why my usual rubbing alcohol technique didnt work. The leak was actually in the neoprene part of the boot below where the breathable material meets the wader. In fact it looks like the neoprene itself has actually failed and become porous...

Not repairable unfortunately so its off to Simms.

[NIB]

Originally Posted by Pete_G

Finally figured out why my usual rubbing alcohol technique didnt work. The leak was actually in the neoprene part of the boot below where the breathable material meets the wader. In fact it looks like the neoprene itself has actually failed and become porous...

Not repairable unfortunately so its off to Simms.

U sure it's not the seams.Fold em inside out an give em a good inspection.I have repaired a few of my orvis waders at the seams.That area gets alot of abuse u should never pull ur waders on from the material on the top stretching the seam in the process.
i'm pretty sure u know this.just seams odd the neopreme would leak.


Skitter Pete sells waders why would u promote LL beans in a thread he started.i know ur only trying to help but i have seen alot of ur chiming in lately with product info that is in direct competition to alot of the sponsors here.???
Quit It!

[Tagger]

I use to get pin holes a little higher than the knee.. Finally figured it out .. It was the surf, banging the fish off my leggs and the spikes in the dorsal fin punching the holes .. took like ten years to figure it out ..

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by NIB

U sure it's not the seams.Fold em inside out an give em a good inspection.I have repaired a few of my orvis waders at the seams.That area gets alot of abuse u should never pull ur waders on from the material on the top stretching the seam in the process.
i'm pretty sure u know this.just seams odd the neopreme would leak.


Skitter Pete sells waders why would u promote LL beans in a thread he started.i know ur only trying to help but i have seen alot of ur chiming in lately with product info that is in direct competition to alot of the sponsors here.???
Quit It!

Definitely the neoprene. About a 2x2 inch square was literally bubbling like an airstone in an aquarium. Either way it's in Simms hand's now; this is the 2nd time back for the waders so it sounds like I'll be sporting new waders in a few days. If they don't fix a problem right the first time they usually immediately replace. They are WELL used over I think 3.5 seasons and they've held up admirably.

I long ago gave up on worrying about the LL Bean and Cabelas waders and the no questions asked warranty. I think those companies just use it to build loyalty more then anything else. I know they lose money on it and can afford to while Orvis and Simms get hosed. That won't change. Simms has a great warranty anyways. Understandably they tell you to screw if you rip your waders from your ass to your ankles but to me that's fine. Why should it be their fault? Plus all the waders they make (not counting the Freestone) are at least assembled in the US if not entirely built here. I'd be surprised if any other wader company could make that claim.

[MotoXcowboy]

I have some neoprene(i think) waders (my uncle loaned me 3 weeks ago), 1st time out with them (in transport, via messy truck) I accidentally ripped a big treble through, in and out (threaded). Needless to say I left 2 decent holes (pen tip size, barbs were tough to get out) in the ass of the waders..anybody know a cheap/easy fix/patch work? So I dont get wet and he doesnt kill me for putting a hole in his waders..

thanks

[In The Surf]

Aquaseal, it may not be neccessary but maybe you could also get a small piece of neopreme and cut some small squares to patch the holes with also.

[MotoXcowboy]

thanks

[DRUMCORPFAN]

was just mentioning to striperjerk1 the other night, i'm thinking about changing my screen name to leaky boots.