Hey guys I put this in the surfing forum earlier just wondering if you have had the same experience as me with your wetsuits going gooey & sticky around the neck area after a year of use. I have found it is from soaking up the sunblock from around my neck. If this didnt happen then I think I would get at least a couple years more of use out of it. Thinking of washing the neck area of my new wetsuits in detergent after every use. The sunblock seems to really affect the rubber areas more so than the neoprene. Although I have noticed the neoprene does also after a longer time. So far I am thinking of washing the exposed areas with either shampoo or liquid hand wash as it seems to be milder than detergent. Either way, a good rinse & dry should do the trick. What do you think?

Thanks for that. I've been wondering why that has happened to my last couple of wetsuits. Seems to be a new thing though, only started happening over the last couple of years. Wonder if there has been some sort of change in the materials used.

Imagine.what it's doing to your skin .? Not all sunblocks are good ..go the natural sunblocks ..with no baddies you shouldn't have problems .

Eg .natural Zinc oxide .inviable zinc .
or natural.instinct .
free from titanium dioxide. PABA & EDTA.

Ive had some sunblocks burn. my face .I can only use the natural stuff now ,where It burnt the skin .

i just thought I'd bring this to your attention. Because SUPers are a caring bunch. if you didn't know this info before hand.

Yeah same
C'mon Rip Curl, work it out!

I've had sun screen dissolve the rubber nose bridges off my expensive sunnies too bugger it!

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Seajuice said..
Hey guys I put this in the surfing forum earlier just wondering if you have had the same experience as me with your wetsuits going gooey & sticky around the neck area after a year of use. I have found it is from soaking up the sunblock from around my neck. If this didnt happen then I think I would get at least a couple years more of use out of it. Thinking of washing the neck area of my new wetsuits in detergent after every use. The sunblock seems to really affect the rubber areas more so than the neoprene. Although I have noticed the neoprene does also after a longer time. So far I am thinking of washing the exposed areas with either shampoo or liquid hand wash as it seems to be milder than detergent. Either way, a good rinse & dry should do the trick. What do you think?

You actually put it on this forum earlier as well, bit of oldtimers mate.

Everyone tells me sunscreen is good for you, but I hate the stuff. Been using my wife's moisturiser which has a 15+ sunscreen in it, feels great. I try to apply at least halfa before going for surf, haven't been burnt in years.

I understand the killer ingredient as far as wetsuit rubber seals is concerned is not the UV and sunblocking agents, it's the water resistance. If you are using 50+ Sport or whatever, it is designed to stay on and keep working for hours. Whatever it is doing that is some sort of oil base and it dissolves the rubber.

Yep, not good for car paint either. I've got handprints from the kids a couple of years old on my ute. No amount of buffing will get out.

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shoodbegood said..
Yeah same
C'mon Rip Curl, work it out!

Not just Rip Curl but O'Neill as well, and who knows how many other wetsuit makers.
The collar on my rash guard is sticky-black because of that.
HATE IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Just go back to the neoprene collars please, the rubber lining sucks!