Fly Fishing 101: How to Repair Waders Using AquaSeal

aquaseal-waders

The fall weather has been showing its presence. It’s my favorite fishing season. During this time, my waders always tend to leak when the steelhead are running, and the rain is pouring. It is cold and can be miserable at times. And, having a pin-sized hole in my waders makes it worse.

Over time, waders show wear, get holes in them, and the seams start to leak. It seems like I've been in this situation every year of my fishing career. Instead of exploring the options of having your waders repaired, why not extend the life of them to keep yourself on the river?

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aquaseal-waders

What is AquaSeal and Tenacious Tape?

AquaSeal and Tenacious Tape are two inventions that help us, fishermen, extend the life of our waders. AquaSeal is a urethane adhesive. Tenacious Tape is an all-purpose waterproof tape used for repairing equipment for outdoorsy folk. When you combine these two wonderful ideas together on your damaged waders, magic happens! Okay, magic doesn’t really happen, but it can get you back into the water without the worry of a dreaded leak. Know this, AquaSeal and Tenacious Tape are not a permanent solution. You will have to repair your patch jobs, and more than likely add new ones. But hey, it’s a pretty cheap solution that works!

AquaSeal’s packaging says it will take 8 to 10 hours to cure, but I like to let them dry for 24 hours. To speed up the curing process you can mix Cotol Accelerator and Cleaner with the AquaSeal. (Cotol also helps clean the surface you're trying to repair.) What nrs.com explains, is that you mix 1-part Cotol to 3-4 parts AquaSeal. The mixture will cure to tack stage within 15 minutes. While taking approximately 2-hours to completely cure.

aquaseal-waders

How to Repair Waders with AquaSeal

1. First, I start this process by cleaning the area where I will be doing the repair.

2. Then, I will turn my waders inside out and spray them with rubbing alcohol, turning them back around after I have done that. What the alcohol does is help locate the leak. How it does this is by seeping through the hole or leaking seam and leaving behind a wet spot.

3. Once I’ve located the leak, I cut my strips of Tenacious Tape. I then add it and the Aquaseal to the area. -Finally, I leave it be and let it dry.

Waders are important for any fisherman. Learn how to extend the life of your waders here.

aquaseal-waders

AquaSeal also makes a UV curing adhesive that can help you out when you’re in a pinch on the river. The cure time will be dependent on the sun or the UV light that you use -roughly around 30 seconds to cure. If it is cloudy, it will take more time to cure. For under twenty dollars, you can get yourself back into the river and won’t have to drop money on new waders.