pinholes in waders - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Pete_G · 05-09-2006, 09:59 PM

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 · 05-09-2006, 10:43 PM

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 · 05-09-2006, 11:15 PM

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 · 05-10-2006, 04:39 AM

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. · 05-10-2006, 07:30 AM

Quote:

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 · 05-10-2006, 07:35 AM

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

cheferson · 05-10-2006, 07:47 AM

Quote:

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.

Swimmer · 05-10-2006, 07:46 AM

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

fcap60 · 05-10-2006, 09:32 AM

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

Clogston29 · 05-10-2006, 09:42 AM

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

Pete_G · 05-10-2006, 09:47 AM

Quote:

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 · 05-10-2006, 01:44 PM

Thank you

scoobe · 05-10-2006, 09:27 PM

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

rockyroady · 05-11-2006, 08:29 AM

Any reason not to patch inside and outside for insurance?

Pete_G · 05-11-2006, 08:39 AM

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 · 05-11-2006, 08:58 AM

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 · 05-11-2006, 02:33 PM

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.