stretch latex wrist seals

[oab2]

I just got a new nex-gen pro and the wrists are very tight. These are a bottle type latex seal so I dont know how much cutting will help. I read that latex relaxes after a few dives so that is another reason i don't want to cut them. Last night I stretched the seals over some gun powder jars (a little bigger than a 1 liter pop bottle, but smaller than my dry wrings). When i tried the suit on today the seals still felt really tight. Should I stretch them more, use larger object or is there something else I should do. I will be installing os dry golves on the suit as soon as the seals fit better.

[cyclone3565]

I have the Bottle seals on my Bare HD Tech and trimming them did help a lot. I endedup cutting off (be careful) almost a full inch, in about 1/4" increments. Think of a rubber band really wide and then the same size band but narrow, less strength. I got mine to be perfect now. It has not stretched at all after almost 100 dives and 2 years.

[MSilvia]

I have the same seals on my BARE ATR-HD suit, and cutting not only helped, but was the only thing that helped. I never noticed any stretching or "relaxing". I trimmed mine several times, taking about 1/8 inch with each cut. Better not enough than too much.

[cyclone3565]

Couldn't agree more, the cutting was the only thing that worked. I tried stretching them with a soda bottle, didn't make a difference. Now they are perfect.

[oab2]

well thanks for the help. With fear I took out the exacto knife and did some trimming. Boy that's a scary feeling. When I was done I celebrated with my first ever dry dive. Man it's going to take some practice and I was bummed I had to add so much weight. But in the next few days I will go at it again.

Any ideas on zipping a back entry by ones self? I have heard of guys using the car door and wondered if that is the way to go or if there is some other ideas?

[aperkins]

Any ideas on zipping a back entry by ones self? I have heard of guys using the car door and wondered if that is the way to go or if there is some other ideas?

A metal hanger and some duct tape works well, but be careful. If your zipper isn't smooth you can damage it.

[cyclone3565]

Wow, you trimmed them with an Exacto knife. That is very brave. I used a pair of the surgical shears attached to my BCD. Worked great. Be careful with that back entry zipper. They are expensive and a buddy is almost a must.

[MSilvia]

Can't help you with the back entry thing... I got a front entry so I wouldn't have to deal with that, and I still ask for assistance from time to time.

[Rainer]

Make friends. Really, it's not that bad.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by cyclone3565

Wow, you trimmed them with an Exacto knife. That is very brave. I used a pair of the surgical shears attached to my BCD. Worked great. Be careful with that back entry zipper. They are expensive and a buddy is almost a must.

I always use an exacto knife. Best way to trim seals.

Actually, the best way is a rolling cutter (sometimes made by Exacto). Super clean cut. Cutting seals is always tricky, though, because sometimes you need three hands. LOL