Adding a zipper to my wetsuit

I am going to put a relief zipper in my farmer john wetsuit. I read that some people have a zipper down the whole top. That could be handy for easy on and off of the wetsuit and for cooling off. I wonder if that would weaken the integrity of the material. I looked at a long zipper that could be zipped up or down. Anyone install their own zippers? Any problems or regrets? Thanks

I think there is a guy that was here at one time who did wetsuit zippers, but I don't remember who.
maybe some searches through the site will result in meeting your needs.
Good luck.

Here's one good post on it, also just search on the term relief zipper.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=49304.msg548012#msg548012

here's another

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=49852.msg554398#msg554398

Jwin is one member here who can install a zipper. I haven't used his services but he can do it and the price is reasonable. PM him if you might like someone to do it for you.

I have searched the subject several times. I did again just before I posted. I didn't include general talk though. I'm not really looking to pay more and make trips out of town, but maybe I can get some advice. I'm really just asking about people's experiences so I can learn what not to do. For example, was putting in a zipper from top to crotch a good thing to do? I see he offered to help via PM so I will ask. Thanks for the links.

Traildad,
PM me if you need help on any part of the install. If you need a zipper, I can order one up to 108" and cut it to any size you want. Off the shelf zippers end at 48 " and those can be customized also. Anything longer than those, I don't think you would need a wetsuit.


John

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Here's one good post on it, also just search on the term relief zipper.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=49304.msg548012#msg548012

I've done it twice using a procedure very similar to the one in the above post.  One of the tricky parts is that when the glue has gotten to the tacky stage and you're ready to place the zipper you have to have it just right, there are no "do overs", the minute it touches, it's stuck.

Also something I didn't do but will next time is put a flap over the zipper on the inside to help slow down water intrusion (mentioned in the second link).  A standard off the rack zipper doesn't slow it down much, one good lap full of water and your crotch is wet all day.  There are waterproof zippers like in a dry suit but I've never messed with those.

Keep the zipper as short as practical, any way for water to get into a suit is a bad thing, the full length zippers are to make it easy to get into and provide relief. 

After doing it twice, given the long life of a well cared for suit, I'd probably pay to have it done.

I posted a while back my relief zipper I had installed by Blown Out Wet Suits out of Santa Cruz,  ya I spent some money to get it done b/w shipping there and back and the work to be done.  But I gotta say id rather a professional do it!  I love my suit now that I have the zipper and it has a like 4 in flap of material on the inside like Dale was stating.