McNETT® - Essentials for AdventureTM

Dive Gear Cleaning & CareDive Gear Cleaning & Care

Caring for your SCUBA gear is necessary to keep your equipment in top shape. Some items such as BCDs need proper maintenance to function when you need them.

  • Cleaning

    • Fin Maintenance

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      • Fin Maintenance

        Maximize the Life of your Fins!

        Maintain your fins’ suppleness and flexibility with regular UV Tech™ treatments. A brittle or cracked fin will inhibit kick efficiency. UV Tech is also a great way to keep colors from fading on your P.F.D.

    • Wetsuit Cleaning & Care

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      • Link to mcnett videosWetsuit Care

        Clean & Deodorize Your Wetsuit

        Regular cleaning with Wet Suit & Dry Suit Shampoo prevents chlorine and salt damage (left half of photo) and keeps suits looking and feeling like new (right half of photo).

      • Wetsuit Care

        Step 1:

        Find two clean large tubs – one for washing and one for deodorizing. Fill both tubs with enough warm or cold water to submerge your suit. To the first tub, add 2 capfuls (1/2 oz) of Wet Suit & Dry Suit Shampoo per gallon of water.

      • Wetsuit Care

        Step 2:

        For extra suit conditioning, add a few teaspoons of Silicone Pump™ in with your Wet Suit & Dry Suit Shampoo when washing your suit.

      • Wetsuit Care

        Step 3:

        Give your suit a good scrub to eliminate saltwater, chlorine, sweat, urine and other residue. Regular cleaning maintains suit suppleness, keeps colors bright and eases suit entry.

      • Wetsuit Care

        Step 4:

        To remove residual odors and bacteria from your wet suit, add 2 capfuls (1/2 oz) of MiraZyme™ Enzyme Based Gear Deodorizer to the second tub. For stubborn odors, apply MiraZyme directly to problem areas with a spray bottle.

      • Wetsuit Care

        Step 5:

        Dip suit to saturate all areas. Remove from tub. Do NOT rinse.

      • Wetsuit Care

        Step 6:

        Hang suit to dry on a flexible, padded wet suit hanger. As the suit dries, MiraZyme does its work - consuming organic matter such as hair, mold, mildew, as well as algae, bacteria, pollution, waste matter and urine, leaving your suit odor-free.

    • Wetsuit & Drysuit Care

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      • Clean Your Wetsuit

        Clean Your Wetsuit or Drysuit

        Wash dry tops, dry suits and wetsuits in McNett® Wet Suit and Dry Suit Shampoo. To eliminate the toughest odors dip suits in MiraZyme™ treated water (and air dry (see instructions on the bottom of page 20). MiraZyme is a powerful blend of odor fighting microbes & enzymes.

  • Deodorizing

    • Wetsuit Cleaning & Care

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      • Link to mcnett videosWetsuit Care

        Clean & Deodorize Your Wetsuit

        Regular cleaning with Wet Suit & Dry Suit Shampoo prevents chlorine and salt damage (left half of photo) and keeps suits looking and feeling like new (right half of photo).

      • Wetsuit Care

        Step 1:

        Find two clean large tubs – one for washing and one for deodorizing. Fill both tubs with enough warm or cold water to submerge your suit. To the first tub, add 2 capfuls (1/2 oz) of Wet Suit & Dry Suit Shampoo per gallon of water.

      • Wetsuit Care

        Step 2:

        For extra suit conditioning, add a few teaspoons of Silicone Pump™ in with your Wet Suit & Dry Suit Shampoo when washing your suit.

      • Wetsuit Care

        Step 3:

        Give your suit a good scrub to eliminate saltwater, chlorine, sweat, urine and other residue. Regular cleaning maintains suit suppleness, keeps colors bright and eases suit entry.

      • Wetsuit Care

        Step 4:

        To remove residual odors and bacteria from your wet suit, add 2 capfuls (1/2 oz) of MiraZyme™ Enzyme Based Gear Deodorizer to the second tub. For stubborn odors, apply MiraZyme directly to problem areas with a spray bottle.

      • Wetsuit Care

        Step 5:

        Dip suit to saturate all areas. Remove from tub. Do NOT rinse.

      • Wetsuit Care

        Step 6:

        Hang suit to dry on a flexible, padded wet suit hanger. As the suit dries, MiraZyme does its work - consuming organic matter such as hair, mold, mildew, as well as algae, bacteria, pollution, waste matter and urine, leaving your suit odor-free.

  • B.C.D.s

    • BCD Maintenance

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      • BCD Cleaning

        In addition to regular cleaning, a few simple checks after each dive will help keep your B.C. in top condition:
        Look for small tears and punctures, loose stitching and stressed fasteners. Repair with Aquaseal to prevent further damage. Check for leaks by pressurizing the B.C. using the oral or power inflator, then submerging the B.C in a tub of water. Slowly rotate the B.C. in all directions, keeping an eye out for air bubbles. Mark the location of the leak, allow the B.C. to dry,then repair with Aquaseal.

      • BCD Cleaning

        Test the oral inflation and power inflation buttons to ensure they move freely. If they feel sticky, salt or sand could be the problem. Wash, and if problem persists, take the B.C. to your local dive shop for inspection. Use a toothbrush to remove sand from Velcro® and other nooks and crannies.

      • BCD Cleaning

        Store your B.C. in a cool, dry spot away from direct heat, sunlight, car exhaust and harsh chemicals. Partially inflate it with dry air to prevent mold and mildew growth. This will also keep the bladder from sticking together when stored over a long period of time.

    • B.C. Cleaning & Care

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      • BC Cleaning

        Maintain Your BCD

        B.C. Life™ removed 4 tablespoons of salt from one B.C. (left) - some of the crystals were 1” wide! Salt crystals will abrade your B.C. bladder, hoses, O-rings and valves, irreversibly damaging this vital piece of gear.

      • BC Cleaning

        Clean your B.C. regularly with B.C. Life to preserve and condition the shell, interior lining, hose and valves and to eliminate damaging salt crystals.

      • BC Cleaning

        Step 1:

        Pour 4 capfuls (1 oz) of B.C. Life into the mouthpiece, pressing the oral inflate button with your thumb.

      • BC Cleaning

        Step 2:

        Fill B.C. with fresh water and shake to mix with B.C. Life. Turn B.C. upside down and sideways to thoroughly clean all chambers.

      • BC CleaningBC Cleaning

        Step 3:

        Drain B.C. through the mouthpiece and through the bottom dump valve.

      • BC Cleaning

        Step 4:

        Soak B.C. in 1 oz B.C. Life to 1 gallon water for 10 minutes to clean exterior. Rinse interior and exterior thoroughly. Hang B.C. partially inflated in a cool, dry place to air dry.

  • Wetsuits

    • Wetsuit Storage Tip

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      • Wetsuit tip

        Suit Storage

        Standard clothes hangers cause extra strain to your suit’s shoulders, leading to stretching and cracking. Use a flexible, padded Flex Fashion™ Wet Suit Hanger instead. The Flex Fashion Wet Suit Hanger can be molded to accommodate any suit shape. Store your suit and all dive gear in a cool, dry closet away from direct heat or sunlight, to prevent premature aging. If you must store dive gear in the garage, use air and light tight containers to protect from exhaust fumes, temperature extremes and moisture. Leave your suit’s zipper open during storage to eliminate strain on the sealing elements.

    • Ease Suit Entry

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      • Silicone Pump

        Silicone Pump™

        To slide right into your wet suit and booties, spray inside with Silicone Pump™ prior to suiting up.
        To ease dry suit entry, put a plastic grocery bag (with an opening on both ends) or a shower cap over your head to prevent the latex neck seal from sticking to your hair.

    • Wetsuit Cleaning & Care

      • Bookmark and Share
      • Link to mcnett videosWetsuit Care

        Clean & Deodorize Your Wetsuit

        Regular cleaning with Wet Suit & Dry Suit Shampoo prevents chlorine and salt damage (left half of photo) and keeps suits looking and feeling like new (right half of photo).

      • Wetsuit Care

        Step 1:

        Find two clean large tubs – one for washing and one for deodorizing. Fill both tubs with enough warm or cold water to submerge your suit. To the first tub, add 2 capfuls (1/2 oz) of Wet Suit & Dry Suit Shampoo per gallon of water.

      • Wetsuit Care

        Step 2:

        For extra suit conditioning, add a few teaspoons of Silicone Pump™ in with your Wet Suit & Dry Suit Shampoo when washing your suit.

      • Wetsuit Care

        Step 3:

        Give your suit a good scrub to eliminate saltwater, chlorine, sweat, urine and other residue. Regular cleaning maintains suit suppleness, keeps colors bright and eases suit entry.

      • Wetsuit Care

        Step 4:

        To remove residual odors and bacteria from your wet suit, add 2 capfuls (1/2 oz) of MiraZyme™ Enzyme Based Gear Deodorizer to the second tub. For stubborn odors, apply MiraZyme directly to problem areas with a spray bottle.

      • Wetsuit Care

        Step 5:

        Dip suit to saturate all areas. Remove from tub. Do NOT rinse.

      • Wetsuit Care

        Step 6:

        Hang suit to dry on a flexible, padded wet suit hanger. As the suit dries, MiraZyme does its work - consuming organic matter such as hair, mold, mildew, as well as algae, bacteria, pollution, waste matter and urine, leaving your suit odor-free.

  • Drysuits

    • Zipper Cleaning & Care

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      • Zipper Care

        Wetsuit & Drysuit Zippers

        Regular cleaning and lubrication helps zippers last the lifetime of the suit. Without proper care (left), expensive zippers degrade and need costly replacement. Keep your wet suit, dry suit, gear bag zippers free of harmful dirt, sand and salt deposits with Zip Care™ (right).

      • Zipper Care

        Step 1:

        Unzip item and use Zip Care‘s brush top to remove grit and dust.

        Step 2:

        Brush Zip Care generously onto zipper teeth to clean and lightly lubricate. Wipe off excess.

      • Zipper Care

        Step 3:

        Carefully open and close zipper to thoroughly distribute Zip Care.

      • Zipper Care

        Zip Tech™

        Zip Tech™ is preferred for multi-dive lubrication. Use Zip Tech to lubricate and protect watertight and airtight zippers on dry suits from corrosion and harmful salt, chlorine and other pollutants. To use: Open zipper and apply Zip Tech sparingly only to the outer teeth of the zipper.

      • Zipper Care

        Max Wax™

        If you prefer a paraffin wax and silicone-based lubricant, Max Wax™ is great for general zipper lubrication. Note: Some suit manufacturers prefer you use silicone free formulas such as Zip Tech and Zip Care.

    • Gasket Protection

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      • gasket care

        Use UV Tech™ to protect & restore gaskets

        With exposure to sunlight, saltwater, and chlorine, synthetic gaskets degrade over time due to the loss of structural oils called plasticizers. Proper protection with UV Tech™ is essential for maximizing scuba gear life.

    • Drysuit Repair

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      • Aquaseal gasket Repair

        Use Aquaseal to seal leaky gasket seams

        Step 1:

        Turn suit inside out. Clean damaged area with Cotol-240 or isopropyl alcohol. Non-fabric surfaces such as latex should first be roughened with sandpaper, then cleaned.

      • Aquaseal gasket Repair

        Step 2:

        Apply Aquaseal in a 1/16” high bead overlapping seam edges by at least 1⁄4”. Use included brush to saturate fabric surfaces. Dry level overnight.

    • Dry Suit Zippers

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      • Maintain Zippers

        Maintain Zippers

        Dry Suit zippers are tough to operate and expensive to replace. To ease opening and maximize zipper life, remove dirt and gunk with Zip Care™ Liquid Zipper Cleaner & Lubricant. For heavy duty lubrication use Zip Tech™ Stick Lubricant.

    • Drysuit Care

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      • Clean Your Wetsuit

        Find Drysuit Leaks

        To find pinhole leaks in Gore-Tex® fabric dry suits: 1) Turn the suit inside out. 2) Soak the tip of a rag in rubbing alcohol and dab over the suspect area. 3) The hole will show up as a contrasting color. Allow area to dry and seal (on the inside surface) with Aquaseal®.

Find more great tips like these in our Repair Guide

  • Fin Maintenance

    Fin Maintenance

    Maintain your fins’ suppleness and flexibility with regular UV Tech™ treatments. A brittle or cracked fin will inhibit kick efficiency. UV Tech is also a great way to keep colors from fading on your P.F.D.
  • Ease Suit Entry

    Ease Suit Entry

    To slide right into your wet suit and booties, spray inside with Silicone Pump™ prior to suiting up. To ease dry suit entry, put a plastic grocery bag (with an opening on both ends) or a shower cap over your head to prevent the latex neck seal from sticking to your hair.