03-31-2005, 05:42 AM
Thought I'd pass along a tip that has helped keep me dry.
Leaky waders are an ongoing problem for all fishermen, both bankies and tubers/tooners. I was on my third pair of breathables (in four years) recently and picked up a tip that has saved the day for me. Besides fishing from tubes and pontoons, I fish for Steelhead from the bank. Oregon is covered with berry briars and it usually isn't long before the shins of my waders begin to leak in more than one spot from too much bushwhacking. I had put two of the pairs in the closet because I couldn't bear to throw them away after spending so much on them. Yet I had failed several times to successfully patch them using the most often recommended remedy - Aquaseal. Aquaseal works if you are successful in finding the individual leak(s) but I have found that as things go, I usually miss a few. If, as in one case with these waders, there is a series of leaks around the stocking foot joint, or across an area, it is hard to get enough coverage.
The tip is to use Plasti Dip, the product used to coat tool handles to keep them from being slippery. Plasti Dip is a foul smelling liquid that spreads smoothly and in thin coats, dries very rubbery and pliable.
![[Image: plastidip2.jpg]](http://www.proaxis.com/~hwy20coc/webpages/temp1/plastidip2.jpg)
Since my two pairs of waders were basically useless after several patching attempts the old way, I figured I had nothing to lose. So I slathered on some Plasti Dip (on the INSIDE of the waders) using a small foam paint brush.
![[Image: wadefix1.jpg]](http://www.proaxis.com/~hwy20coc/webpages/temp1/wadefix1.jpg)
After the prescribed four hour drying time I put my waders on and strolled across the street (I live by a river) and plunged in. No leaks! Not a one. They are still flexible, comfortable, and breathable in the spots with no Plasti Dip. I won't say they're suddenly like new but these were basket case waders - useless to me. Now they don't leak at all.
I patched an old pair of neoprenes with Plasti Dip this past week and the result was the same. Find the leak(s) by turning them inside out and filling them with water. Mark them with a laundry marker. Empty them out, let them dry completely, then turn them inside out again and spread the Plasti Dip. Allow four hours minimum drying time. I like to let them cure a bit, perhaps for a day or two. This gets rid of most of the foul smell. Since the inner fabric on the neoprenes tends to soak up the first coat, I recommend two coats over all leak areas.
Be sure to observe the cautions on the label. Do this in a well ventilated area. If you don't you'll get the mother of all headaches.
Plasti Dip runs about 7 bucks a can at Home Depot. A can will patch a lot of waders. It comes in red, black, white, yellow, and I've heard it comes in clear. The store only had black and red and since I didn't want to order any, I just used the black. It isn't visible inside the waders anyway.
I now have six pairs of waders in the house and not a single leaker. I'm happy. Mrs. zonker is happy. Even the dog is happy.
No wait. We don't have a dog.
Hope you can have the same results.
zonker
[signature]
Leaky waders are an ongoing problem for all fishermen, both bankies and tubers/tooners. I was on my third pair of breathables (in four years) recently and picked up a tip that has saved the day for me. Besides fishing from tubes and pontoons, I fish for Steelhead from the bank. Oregon is covered with berry briars and it usually isn't long before the shins of my waders begin to leak in more than one spot from too much bushwhacking. I had put two of the pairs in the closet because I couldn't bear to throw them away after spending so much on them. Yet I had failed several times to successfully patch them using the most often recommended remedy - Aquaseal. Aquaseal works if you are successful in finding the individual leak(s) but I have found that as things go, I usually miss a few. If, as in one case with these waders, there is a series of leaks around the stocking foot joint, or across an area, it is hard to get enough coverage.
The tip is to use Plasti Dip, the product used to coat tool handles to keep them from being slippery. Plasti Dip is a foul smelling liquid that spreads smoothly and in thin coats, dries very rubbery and pliable.
Since my two pairs of waders were basically useless after several patching attempts the old way, I figured I had nothing to lose. So I slathered on some Plasti Dip (on the INSIDE of the waders) using a small foam paint brush.
After the prescribed four hour drying time I put my waders on and strolled across the street (I live by a river) and plunged in. No leaks! Not a one. They are still flexible, comfortable, and breathable in the spots with no Plasti Dip. I won't say they're suddenly like new but these were basket case waders - useless to me. Now they don't leak at all.
I patched an old pair of neoprenes with Plasti Dip this past week and the result was the same. Find the leak(s) by turning them inside out and filling them with water. Mark them with a laundry marker. Empty them out, let them dry completely, then turn them inside out again and spread the Plasti Dip. Allow four hours minimum drying time. I like to let them cure a bit, perhaps for a day or two. This gets rid of most of the foul smell. Since the inner fabric on the neoprenes tends to soak up the first coat, I recommend two coats over all leak areas.
Be sure to observe the cautions on the label. Do this in a well ventilated area. If you don't you'll get the mother of all headaches.
Plasti Dip runs about 7 bucks a can at Home Depot. A can will patch a lot of waders. It comes in red, black, white, yellow, and I've heard it comes in clear. The store only had black and red and since I didn't want to order any, I just used the black. It isn't visible inside the waders anyway.
I now have six pairs of waders in the house and not a single leaker. I'm happy. Mrs. zonker is happy. Even the dog is happy.
No wait. We don't have a dog.
Hope you can have the same results.
zonker
[signature]
