<p>You would have to seal the stitches, just like you do on a tent, to keep it water proof.  I'm unfamiliar with neoprene, but a substance like it, may have a "patch kit" much like for a bike tire. </p>

<p>I would imagine, you'd do both, use the patch kit, plus seal the seam stitches in the inside of the patch. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-09T22:11:18.733Z
2016-09-10T00:10:09.167Z
2016-09-10T00:10:09.167Z
Joel Huebner
<p>If you're starting with waterproof neoprene (which may be closed cell or coated on one side), thread holes will breach this and it will leak.  It would be unlikely to let light rain in but putting it down in a puddle would allow it to leak.</p>

<p>I have a neoprene laptop case, and it's not the waterproof type of neoprene, but if any water (rain, or from wet things in the same bag) gets in it's around the stitching.  You're also likely to have to look hard and pay more to get a waterproof case, whether or not it's neoprene.</p>

<p>You should be able to seal up the holes though, with neoprene repair glue (wetsuit glue, "neoprene queen" is the brand I use).  This may be worth it even on a non-waterproof neoprene case. This is discussed in a question (mine) on outdoors.se <a href="https://outdoors.stackexchange.com/q/21026/2529">How can I adjust a neoprene wrist/neck seal on a drysuit, by cutting and joining?</a>.  My own answer after trying it has some ideas, including <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blind_stitch" rel="nofollow noreferrer">blind stitching</a>. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-05-11T20:23:02.520Z
If you can't find something labelled as neoprene repair glue or wetsuit glue, there are several generally-available adhesives that are neoprene-based, like E-6000 and some of the "shoe repair" glues.  Many of these are not colorless, though, so they would be visible if used as a coating unless it was done on the inside.  However, neoprene glues are extremely strong and could be used to just glue on the decorations and avoid stitching.
fixer1234
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-05-12T08:43:49.110Z
@fixer1234 good point, though it's easily available on ebay.  On black neoprene, black glue looks better than clear anyway
Chris H
CC BY-SA 4.0
2016-06-21T12:16:24.190Z
2018-12-20T15:14:48.873Z
2018-12-20T15:14:48.873Z
Chris H
<p>I'd like to buy a neoprene case for my new laptop. I'd like to sew on some sequins or patches. Would doing so harm the fabric's ability to keep water off of its precious cargo?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-20T23:25:27.127Z
Are you certain that it's the waterproof type of neoprene? Is it marketed as being waterproof?
Catija
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-20T23:32:05.603Z
@Catija I haven't picked a specific case yet and I'm not sure how common waterproof cases are so for now assume either.
jackwise
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-20T23:33:56.177Z
The neoprene wetsuit I use when I go scuba diving certainly isn't waterproof... According to the [neoprene Wiki page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoprene#General), there are two types of neoprene, one is waterproof and the other is not. "*Neoprene foam can be produced in either closed-cell or open-cell form. The closed-cell form is waterproof, less compressible and more expensive. The open-cell form can be breathable.*"
Catija
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-20T23:40:11.353Z
@Catija In my original question I did say water resistant. I'm not expecting a laptop bag to survive a dunk in the pool but I'd like it to survive a drizzle.
jackwise
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-20T23:40:42.977Z
I always worried about this being used for laptops. How well does neoprene transfer heat?
Matt
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-20T23:43:14.963Z
@Matt Not well. If I remember correctly, if I wanted to iron on a patch, the neoprene would not survive temps that high.
jackwise
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-21T08:41:43.100Z
To increase the water resistance of your laptop case, you may consider adding a layer inside the case, e.g. you could glue some oilcloths fabric.
Surb
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-21T12:19:00.573Z
@Matt neoprene is a good thermal insulator - if I forget to turn off my laptop in its neoprene sleeve, it gets really hot, or quite warm on standby.  It also melts at low temperatures, though not as low as you'd get from even an overheating laptop.
Chris H
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-21T12:33:57.563Z
Most neoprene for electronics cases are not waterproof. The neoprene is used for its cushioning and protective properties, like a big foam shock absorber on all corners. I would NOT expect it to keep your items dry in a light drizzle or otherwise, unless it specifically is marketed as such. Many are somewhat breathable if not completely permeable. The cases are more meant to protect from wear and tear, light bumps and whatnot incurred from travel.
BrownRedHawk
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-21T13:18:19.090Z
So apparently I've been mislead about neoprene cases! Maybe I won't end up getting a neoprene case after all since it doesn't seem to make much of a difference :p
jackwise
<sewing>
Will sewing onto neoprene compromise its water resistance?
jackwise
# Will sewing onto neoprene compromise its water resistance?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-06-20)

I'd like to buy a neoprene case for my new laptop. I'd like to sew on some sequins or patches. Would doing so harm the fabric's ability to keep water off of its precious cargo?

**Tags:** sewing

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Are you certain that it's the waterproof type of neoprene? Is it marketed as being waterproof?  
> **username_0**: @username_1 I haven't picked a specific case yet and I'm not sure how common waterproof cases are so for now assume either.  
> **username_1**: The neoprene wetsuit I use when I go scuba diving certainly isn't waterproof... According to the [neoprene Wiki page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoprene#General), there are two types of neoprene, one is waterproof and the other is not. "*Neoprene foam can be produced in either closed-cell or open-cell form. The closed-cell form is waterproof, less compressible and more expensive. The open-cell form can be breathable.*"  
> **username_0**: @username_1 In my original question I did say water resistant. I'm not expecting a laptop bag to survive a dunk in the pool but I'd like it to survive a drizzle.  
> **username_2**: I always worried about this being used for laptops. How well does neoprene transfer heat?  
> **username_0**: @username_2 Not well. If I remember correctly, if I wanted to iron on a patch, the neoprene would not survive temps that high.  
> **username_3**: To increase the water resistance of your laptop case, you may consider adding a layer inside the case, e.g. you could glue some oilcloths fabric.  
> **username_4**: @username_2 neoprene is a good thermal insulator - if I forget to turn off my laptop in its neoprene sleeve, it gets really hot, or quite warm on standby.  It also melts at low temperatures, though not as low as you'd get from even an overheating laptop.  
> **username_5**: Most neoprene for electronics cases are not waterproof. The neoprene is used for its cushioning and protective properties, like a big foam shock absorber on all corners. I would NOT expect it to keep your items dry in a light drizzle or otherwise, unless it specifically is marketed as such. Many are somewhat breathable if not completely permeable. The cases are more meant to protect from wear and tear, light bumps and whatnot incurred from travel.  
> **username_0**: So apparently I've been mislead about neoprene cases! Maybe I won't end up getting a neoprene case after all since it doesn't seem to make much of a difference :p  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2016-06-21. Score: 6 | Accepted answer

If you're starting with waterproof neoprene (which may be closed cell or coated on one side), thread holes will breach this and it will leak. It would be unlikely to let light rain in but putting it down in a puddle would allow it to leak.

I have a neoprene laptop case, and it's not the waterproof type of neoprene, but if any water (rain, or from wet things in the same bag) gets in it's around the stitching. You're also likely to have to look hard and pay more to get a waterproof case, whether or not it's neoprene.

You should be able to seal up the holes though, with neoprene repair glue (wetsuit glue, "neoprene queen" is the brand I use). This may be worth it even on a non-waterproof neoprene case. This is discussed in a question (mine) on outdoors.se [How can I adjust a neoprene wrist/neck seal on a drysuit, by cutting and joining?](https://outdoors.stackexchange.com/q/21026/2529). My own answer after trying it has some ideas, including [blind stitching](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blind_stitch).

> **Comments:**
> **username_7**: If you can't find something labelled as neoprene repair glue or wetsuit glue, there are several generally-available adhesives that are neoprene-based, like E-6000 and some of the "shoe repair" glues.  Many of these are not colorless, though, so they would be visible if used as a coating unless it was done on the inside.  However, neoprene glues are extremely strong and could be used to just glue on the decorations and avoid stitching.  
> **username_4**: @username_7 good point, though it's easily available on ebay.  On black neoprene, black glue looks better than clear anyway  

---

### Answer by username_6 on 2016-09-09. Score: 1

You would have to seal the stitches, just like you do on a tent, to keep it water proof. I'm unfamiliar with neoprene, but a substance like it, may have a "patch kit" much like for a bike tire.

I would imagine, you'd do both, use the patch kit, plus seal the seam stitches in the inside of the patch.


---

