One kick against the fin or rough contact with stones or the sharp foil and there's a tear in the wetsuit. Repairs with normal glue and fabric are often neither attractive nor long-lasting. Manufacturer M2 offers the Hot Melt Patches now offers a quick and inexpensive solution for repairing laminated wetsuits. We have tried out the product.
The Hot Melt Patches are supplied with two patches measuring around 10 x 15 centimetres and a repair tape measuring 2.5 x 100 centimetres. The patches and repair tape are very thin and stretchy. There is a whitish adhesive on the underside that liquefies under the influence of heat and is designed to bond the repair patch to the surface of the surf suit. The Hot Melt Patches are available for 8.95 euros in well-stocked surf shops, You can also find more information HERE.
In addition to the repair kit, all you need for the repair is a pair of scissors, an iron and, if necessary, some baking paper. First, cut a suitable patch - ideally, it should be two to three centimetres larger on each side than the damaged area. Now you can preheat the iron to a medium heat - always select a setting WITHOUT steam! Now place the patch with the whitish side on the damaged area and press down lightly with the tip of the iron. Then iron over the patch for about ten seconds. In general, the longer you iron, the better the patch will hold. However, to prevent the neoprene from melting around the repair area, it is advisable to place some baking paper in between and not to overdo it with the heat. In our test, after about ten to 15 seconds of small circular movements around the patch, a shiny silvery ring could be seen - a sure sign that the adhesive has bonded with the laminated material of the Neo. You can find more step-by-step instructions in the picture gallery at the beginning of the article.
Neoprene repair with the M2 Hot Melt Patches - the conclusion:
In our opinion, the result of the repair is absolutely impressive. The patch is as stretchy as the Neo itself and is therefore not noticeable when worn. What's more, the patch is barely raised, so you won't get caught on it. The M2 Hot Melt Patches are ideal for repairing small and large tears. If these are continuous, it makes sense to apply them on both sides. If you have deep and large holes in your wetsuit, you should first fill them with a neoprene adhesive and then iron on the larger Hot Melt Patches.
Fast and good repair
Only suitable for laminated neos
Manuel Vogel
Editor surf
Manuel Vogel, born in 1981, lives in Kiel and learned to windsurf at the age of six at his father's surf school. In 1997, he completed his training as a windsurfing instructor and worked for over 15 years as a windsurfing instructor in various centers, at Kiel University sports and in the coaching team of the “Young Guns” freestyle camps. He has been part of the surf test team since 2003. After completing his teaching degree in 2013, he followed his heart and started as editor of surf magazine for the test and riding technique sections. Since 2021, he has also been active in wingfoiling - mainly at his home spots on the Baltic Sea or in the waves of Denmark.
