Bodyglide question on wetsuits

New to wetsuits, so where do you rub the bodyglide to aid in wetsuit removal? Just the skin or on the outside of the suit as well?

From what I’ve read, you apply to the ankles, calves, wrists, and neck - am I missing anything? Will also apply to groin for the bike/run.

Thanks.
TR42

that’d be about right

based on advice, I also use it on the collars of my shoes for quicker entry
.

Never needed BodyGlide, Pam or whatever to help get the wetsuit off. Although, I do use generous amounts of BodyGlide on the back of my neck for swims over 1 mile to prevent chaffing…

I just to the ole “step on it and pull your leg out” method and never have put a scratch/hole/sliver in my IM Stealth…(knock on wood)

Other thoughts in addition to those above:

– If you are wearing your tri-top under your wetsuit, you’ll probably want to put Body Glide where the edges of the armholes meet the skin; otherwise you’ll get abrasions and they’ll haunt you on the run with each arm swing.

– The zipperless DeSoto T1 top does not require Body Glide around either the neck or the wrists - the neckline is low, the wrists are very pliable. (Plus, the pullover requires a different removal technique that is a breeze with the arms.)

– I spray PAM on the OUTSIDE of the suit from the knees down, so it will slide/fold over itself much more easily. PAM will also work as well as Body Glide in all the other areas, and is much less expensive and lasts longer. (But don’t go for one of their flavored varieties!)

I may be mistaken but I believe PAM will degrade the rubber.

Anyone?

Yes, I was told the same thing about the PAM slowly “dissolving” the rubber. I would also concur w/ the other poster about putting the body glide around your armpit if you wear a tri suit under the wetsuit. I’ve had some pretty nasty chaffing there before and it did make the run (and the next week) pretty uncomfortable (and I’m 5’-10" and 160 lbs so if I had this problem, I assume other will/would/could as well).

Hey, I use Crisco, I have had the same wetsuit for the last 6 years. No wear and tear or eating up the material. Is this true about PAM? Is Crisco bad too? What’s it doing to my GI? Do I have to spend more than the $1.69 for 16 oz. of chafe protection?

BTW, after lubing up the armpits, neck and shoulders around the seams, I wipe the excess off on the legs. Don’t think it matters when removing the wetsuit, but it is easier to deal with compared to greasing up a towel.

you invest all that coin for a nice suit and then use veggie oils? wake-up, use a silicone based lube dive and surf shops have wetsuit maintenance kits too. Tip - trim your fingernails and go easy with the pulling.

There are 3 basic lubricants:

  1. petroleum based oils

  2. vegetible base oils

  3. water based oils

The worse is petroleum based oils such as vase-o-line).

The second best is vegetible base oils such as PAM. This has not shown to break down the neoprene… at least not a rate in which would be noticable… the neoprene is most likely to breakdown on it’s own accord before the PAM would have a significant effect. However, some have noted that if you tear the wetsuit and need it repaired, the vegetible based oils can inhibit the repair. If you use PAM, make sure you clean it well after each use.

The best is water based oils such as Body Glide. I have heard of no harmful aspects to using water base lubricants.

Finally, how well the wetsuit is cleaned and kept out of sunlight/heat almost always helps determine how long the neoprene material lasts.

FWIW Joe Moya