I remember last spring there was a thread on repairing leaks in waders. It didn't interest me too much at the time, but now it does. I will find out tonight exactly where the hole is, so I'm not sure if its a seam or not. But I do remember there were several alternitaves for repair. If anyone can remind me I'd really appreciate it. Thanks, Al
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Ask this in the tubing forum. Let me guess you have a pair of Hodgman.
The best stuff for fixing waders is Aquaseal. It takes a day to dry but you can get Cotol to speed it to 4 hrs. It will dry quicker in a well ventilated area and higher temperatures.
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I second that. AquaSeal works wonders. You don't even need a patch (although you can use one). Here's a tip: turn your waders inside out. Get a pen or marker ready, and then fill first one leg, then check for water spots coming through, then the other leg. That way you can isolate, then mark the hole with the pen.
Let you waders completely dry, then go ahead and apply the Aquaseal. If you don't care if they look ugly on the outside, then apply aquaseal to the same spot on the outside of the waders as well.
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Are they neoprene waders? If they are you can also try a local dive shop. They sell neoprene repair goo, lol. Ive used it on a neoprene dry suit and it works great. Maybe it's aquaseal I can't remember but it wasn't pricey under 5 bucks if I remember correctly. Just another option you can explore.
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I have a pair of hodgmans that leak a little too and I have tried filling them up inside out and they just don't leak enough to even show up. Do any of you know what would help with that?
Jed
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Buy a new pair of waders. Turn them inside out and fill them up with water where it leaks. Put some aquaseal or what ever on that leaking spot but also try and get some inside the leak. Do it one both sides and that should fix the problem, if not then you missed the leak or you need to recheck for the new leak.
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[cool][blue][size 1]Hey Jed, and everybody else, as a dedicated (demented) float tuber I have tried almost every make and model of waders on the market. Like most of us, I have tried to save money and get by with Hodgmans. Bad choice. [/size][/blue]
[blue][size 1]Many pairs of Hodgmans leak right out of the box. It is not seam failure or punctures. It is the poor quality of the "breathable" material. Supposedly it lets your perspiration escape but keeps out the surrounding water. Yeah...right.[/size][/blue]
[#0000ff][size 1]I have never found a Hodgman owner...or former owner...who was truly happy with them. Most just get used to trying to find the worst leaks and keep them sealed long enough to get their moneys worth out their investment. After while, it gets tiresome going back to exchange them, for another pair that leaks.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Many of these fabric "seepages" occur around the junction of the neoprene booties and the lighter weight upper material. These areas sustain a lot of wear and stress, both in the on and off processes and during walking or swimming movement. On my last set of Hodgmans I simply spread a thin layer of Aquaseal about 2" wide in this area. I applied a small amount and rubbed it into the fabric...doing one side at a time and letting it dry on a flat surface. It ALMOST stopped the leakage...enough so that my socks were only DAMP and not soaked.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]By the way, if you ever get a leak in a seam area, it is a good idea to add a patch to the equation. The Aquaseal is great stuff, and is very flexible when cured, but a piece of fabric helps absorb the stress of heavily worked seams...like in the crotch. Apply some Aquaseal and let it partially cure. Put the patch on the sticky stuff and then add another layer of Aquaseal over that. [/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Again, make sure you have the patch area laying as flat as possible and allow it to cure a full day for best results. As our esteemed member from the south pointed out, you can speed the curing process by buying and mixing in some accellerant, known as Cotol. It is usually sold the same places you will find the Aquaseal.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Neoprene is usually fest to fix first with the regular neoprene cement. It is a "contact" glue that is applied to both edges of the tear, allowed to dry a little and then pressed together. It can simply be applied over a pinhole leak and allowed to dry. [/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]If you have a crotch seam problem, Use some fabric in the fix. With neoprene, you can even do some stitching with nylon thread. If you use the neoprene glue, it will bond everything together and you will have no leakage from the needle holes.[/size][/#0000ff]
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I think I'll buy my next pair of waders at K-Mart's, you know, those big green plastic pants. Hey I figure if their only 10 bucks I can replace them every fishing tip,, maybe twice[laugh]
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Your right, they are Hodgmans. I will get some aquaseal tonight and give it a try. I'll test them this Sat. and if they still leak, I guess I just need to bite the bullet and buy a good pair. Thanks for the info. This time I wrote it down. LOL Al
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I HAVE A PAIR OF HODGEMANS FOR LIKE...8 YEARS NOW, AND I AM VERY HAPPY WITH EM, NO LEAKS, NO STINK....MOST OF THE TIME, AND THEY ARE STILL FLEXIBLE AND COMFORTABLE ENOUGH TO SPEND ALL DAY IN. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH MINE. OF COURSE, I TOOK THE SUGGESTION OF THE SALES GUY AND BEFORE I USED THEM I PUT WHAT I THINK WAS AQUASEAL AROUND ALL THE SEAMS ON THE INSIDE AND THEY WORK GREAT TO THIS DAY...HAVENT HAD EM OUT THIS YEAR YET....MAYBE ILL AIR EM OUT THIS WEEKEND, BUT I ALSO WASH EM AFTER EVERY TRIP, I KEEP EMM STORED IN A HIGH AND DRY PLACE, I ALSO HAVE A BAG OF DESSICANT IN THE SACK I STORE EM IN TO ABSORB ANY MOISTURE SO THEY DONT MILDEW. I DONT MAKE A TON OF CASH SO I TAKE CARE OF WHAT I BUY, AND BY LEARNING ABOUT THE MATERIALS ITS MADE OF FOR 15 MINUTES SAVES ME YEARS OF RE-BUYING THE SAME CRAP...EXCEPT RAPALAS..I CAN GET THEM STUCK ANY WHERE!!LOL SO AM I OFFICIALLY THE FIRST PERSON YOU GUYS HAVE HEARD OF THAT IS HAPPY AND SASSIFYED WITH THEIR HODGEMANS?? CAUSE I AM VERY PLEASED WITH EM.
LATERS,
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I actually have been really lucky with my Hodgman waders. I have had them for 2 years now and have taken tehm on numerous outings. The majority being in a float tube. They get a little damp in the crotch area sometimes and that's it.
With that being said though, I am saving up for some Orvis Silverlabel waders. I am just not pleased with the Hodgmans. I think it's time to upgrade.
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I like the 5 minute sun patch,I don't like to wait a whole day.
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Okay two happy customers out of thousands. I'm surprised Hodgman is still in business with the crap the sell. The neoprenes aren't that bad but don't even consider getting the breathable type. Holds water better inside then out. They leaked after the third trip and it just gets worse. I've don't so much patch work to these waders and used them maybe 10 times.
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I've had 2 pairs of Hodgmens my entire life. I only had to change because I grew out of the old ones. I love them. Their very comfortable to fish in, especially out at Blue lakes. One thing I can sugest is using aquarium sealant. My dads old pair my little brother's in now leaked bad. I used that stuff and now their dry. I just put it on, and covered it with a patch. It worked dang good. They sell it at home depot for 3 bucks a tube.
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