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Dry suit zipper lube, silicone vs. beeswax, huge difference underwater
I did a 3 week job in the Gulf near Galveston and my zipper kept sticking halfway through each dive. Switched from the silicone spray I always used to a beeswax bar a salvage buddy recommended, rubbed it on every morning before gearing up. The zipper moved smooth even in 58 degree water and I stopped losing air around my neck. Has anyone else tried wax based lubes on their suits, or is there a better trick I'm missing?
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wren8067h ago
and honestly once you go beeswax you never go back. I had the exact same thing happen on a week of dives off the Jersey coast last fall, silicone spray would work fine on land but the second I hit the cold water it was like the zipper seized up. Started using a cheap bar of pure beeswax I found at a hardware store, rub it on the zipper teeth and the gasket area every morning too, and night and day difference. The wax doesnt wash off as fast and it actually holds up to the pressure changes way better than the spray does. I also found that wiping the zipper dry before applying helps a ton, any moisture under the wax just makes it gummy. Youre definitely on the right track, Ive tried a few other tricks like paraffin and even chapstick in a pinch, but nothing beats wax for a full work day.
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