The airproof zipper is the most sensitive part of a drysuit and, as such, it requires some care after use. With proper maintenance, drysuit zippers can last a very long time.

Take a look at some of the steps that can be taken to keep the drysuit zippers clean and operating smoothly.

Cleaning the Drysuit
After each use, the suit needs a good cleaning to make sure that salt and other contaminants get washed out of the zipper. It’s important to wash off the entire drysuit — both inside and out and make sure that any sand or dirt that has accumulated in and around the zipper is thoroughly washed off. If a piece of dirt gets stuck in the zipper, do not try to force the zip to close — clean it first and then zip the drysuit up.

Never machine wash or dry clean the drysuit — this can damage the zippers.

Once the drysuit has been washed, it’s best to hang it up — either with the help of a drysuit hanger or upside down so that it is thoroughly drained.

Storing the Drysuit
Store the drysuit in a cool or dry place — high temperatures and humidity can cause damage to the zipper.

When storing the drysuit keep in mind that it’s best to place it on a hanger in the upright position. However, if this is not convenient, make sure that the zipper doesn’t fold in too many places and. Store drysuits with metal zippers open while you should store drysuits with plastic zippers closed.

If the drysuit won’t be used for a while, a few steps can be taken to keep the zipper in the best possible shape while it is stowed away. One of the most important steps is to cake a layer of paraffin or bees wax or a specially designed lubricant on the zipper. This will keep the zipper flexible and easy to operate whenever it is used again. However, the use of wax should be tailored to the type of zipper on the drysuit-metal or plastic. Run a block of paraffin or bees wax over the metal zipper teeth. But do not wax the plastic zipper teeth. Apply some petroleum jelly over the surfaces near the end stop.