question about repairing waders

[Neal Osborn]

I have been fortunate not to have a leak in my waders (Simms) . . . until today.  Got caught on the river with a wet right foot in my float tube about half way through the day.  That was not fun.

I know this has been discussed but any advice on patching would be appreciated.

There is an obvious pin-point tear/hole in the outer grey material at the knee (it’s very tiny and not at a seam), and this correlates with where my lower leg and foot got wet but not the upper leg.  So I got out the Simms wader repair kit and understand that you need to patch the inside white material.  Apparently a dark grey spot is supposed to appear when you wipe the white material with alcohol but I didn’t see such a spot.  So I just applied the Aquaseal in that general area on the white material.  Now, do I go ahead and apply the mesh patch to that area after letting the Aquaseal set for 6 hours?  Or do I put it in the tub and do the soap bubble trick first to make sure I got a general seal before I apply the patch?

[Zach Matthews]

Neal –

You have probably already fixed it.  Here’s the standard procedure:

How to Repair Waders

1. Determine whether you have a pinhole leak or a tear.  For leaks at seams, send to manufacturer for repair (seam taping machines are serious industrial pieces of hardware that can’t really be duplicated at home).

2. Turn waders inside out.  Hang from shower rod. Put isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol in a mister.

3. Soak waders thoroughly in misted alcohol.  Wait 1 minute.

4. Circle any dark spots with a permanent magic marker.  Use a color so you can switch to a different one if you need to do this again when you put another hole in your waders.

5. Wait for the wader to dry.  Procure Aquaseal.  This stuff is probably identical to Goop, though it may be a somewhat thinner mix.

6. Apply a small, thin amount to your pinhole leaks.  Should be about the size of a dime or less and about as thick as a dime.

7. Let dry overnight.

8. If your pinhole was really a tear, now would be the time to apply a small piece of the patch that came with your waders (on the inside).  Match the sides so the breathable interior fabric stays inward.  Some people iron their patches on after application; to be honest, I don’t know whether this is advisable or not.

[Tim Pommer]

Or you can use a flashlight to find the pin holes.

[Michael Phillippe]

Before you go and try to patch them , call Simms. They may send you a brand new pair if it’s a seam leak.You shouldn’t have tried to fix it yourself first or it voids the warranty. Generally a wet foot means a seam leak. Call first!

Michael

[Neal Osborn]

Good call Michael . . . it was a leak at the foot seam.  Aaagghh!  I tested it in the tub and it obviously the right foot seam that is leaking.

I will call Simms tomorrow.

[Mike McKeown]

Hi Neal

just found this very intresting… might help, if you havent already got the answer…

http://www.simmsfishing.com/site/gallery/gallery_display.html?gallery_id=00006

[John Bennett]

I have a pair of guide classics tat started developing pinhole leaks in one leg during their first season…Wasn’t too happy about that but it happens.

I have tried everything to locate them, cant be more than

[tradd d]

I have the worst luck trying to find small holes, I never can! What is it I have friends with wader for 5 years and I go through a pair year, must be cause they’re $40 Hodgmans 😮

My Patagonia’s are great I just have to get a new pair each year till I figure out the micro holes~

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