Gurus - bunch of random questions....
1. What is the best patch for wetsuit holes? Looking at iron mend/tenacious. Any good?
2. Where is a good place to get hexa traction? I've noticed small scratches on my board in front of the deck pad and on the off chance I might even get to the nose I thought I could pretty up my board and even make people think I can hang 10
3. Is the ION nose protector worth the money or are there better or just as good solutions?
4. I know this has been a topic before but options for paddle grip please...
Thanks!

1 - I have read good things about the Solarez product Neo-Rez www.solarez.com/product/neo-rez-wetsuit-repair-filler-2-oz-tube/

2 - Dunno for OZ

3 - I use a bit of pad (a diamond) on the top of the nose, to be able to lay the board fins up with only the pads touching ground.


Would I need a full nose guard, I guess I would try to make a custom one by applying layers of soft glue on it: MS-Polymer, Gorilla glue, liquid latex,... But I would be wary to add any significant swing weight to the nose.
PS: on the pic above, you can see Van Der Waals hexagons in the center (hexatraction on the rails). This is a second hand board, they were applied by the previous owner, but I do not recommend them, the antigrip layer just comes off: left hexagon is slick, and you can see the layer peeling out on the top right one). I replaced all of them with Hexatraction, which is excellent: light, strong, clear, much better than the imitations.

I use this bit-of-pad on all my boards:

4 - my solution is to use the wax that resists the most to heat, so that it does not melt in the car nor under the palms. Mrs Palmers for tropical waters (consistently rated best for heat resistance in tests). I have to re-apply it about every 5 sessions on a 4" zone. But I have read very good things on the various liquid waxes for paddle shafts.

1. What is the best patch for wetsuit holes? Looking at iron mend/tenacious. Any good?
Buy a new wetsuit!
New rubber is so good, that holding on to a worn out suit is to miss out on comfort and flexibility!


2. Where is a good place to get hexa traction? I've noticed small scratches on my board in front of the deck pad and on the off chance I might even get to the nose I thought I could pretty up my board and even make people think I can hang 10

Best by far -
Surfco WAX MAT
thicker, softer, amazing grip.....
expensive, but worth it if you only have one board to treat
Goes on without air bubbles.... comes in colors
12 pieces for $42 USD









Cheapest -
Funktion semi clear deck pad (Hex)
20 pieces for under $30 USD
not perfect and tend to get air bubbles.... but good enough for the budget minded




Reliable standard
RSP Hex - Good and goes down easily
Expensive at only 10 pieces for $43 USD


3. Is the ION nose protector worth the money or are there better or just as good solutions?
colas nailed it.... just cut a piece of deck pad for the nose, as a touchdown spot


4. I know this has been a topic before but options for paddle grip please...

Element SUP ANTI-SWEAT Grip Wax -
excellent grip without being sticky
one application lasts for days
Works in New England cold and Mexico heat

"1. What is the best patch for wetsuit holes?"

For the rubber side,
I use bicycle innertube patches.
Far stronger than just gluing the suit back together with adhesive.

The thing is, where the hole is, is where you are likely going to stress it again,
so you want to make it stronger.

And, the patches give your suit some character.

Select to expand quote

supthecreek said..
Best by far -
Surfco WAX MAT

Yes, their grip is definitively above all the others, and moreover rash-free.

I would only use wax mat for prone surfing. Or the paddling + rear zones on a SUP.

However, for the front part of SUPs (where you do not need as much grip), hexatraction has still some advantages: lighter and clearer.