Durability, Maintenance, and Repair

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Durability

Ports, rear glass, and dome ports are made from optical glass, aluminum, and stainless steel — materials engineered for long-term durability in demanding environments. See our dedicated Maintenance guide for cleaning tips, videos, and lubricants available in our Shop By Parts store.

Accessories — including tripods, cable adaptors, plugs, and straps — are made from nylon, neoprene, stainless steel, aluminum, and long-lasting polymers. Keep them clean after use, dry when stored, and store them alongside your camera gear.

Covers are the component most subject to wear. With proper care, many frequent users get 5+ years from a single cover — think of them like a pair of trail running shoes: a frequent user in demanding conditions will replace them more often than a casual one. They are engineered to balance transparency, durability, ruggedness, and tactile response across extreme conditions — from desert heat to ice-cold water with wetsuit gloves. Unlike the original blue covers, the current clear covers do not oxidize over time, giving them an even longer lifecycle.

Avoid on covers:

• Glycerin, acidic cleaners, or solvents
• Super-glue, resins, or bonding chemicals — these dry out the cover material, causing cracks

Depth rating: Outex systems are rated for recreational diving depths. For model-specific depth specifications, refer to your kit's product page or contact our tech team.

Warranty: Outex components are built to last, but covers are wear items and are not covered under warranty. All other components are supported — reach out if you have a specific concern.

Maintenance

Our full Maintenance guide includes step-by-step videos — here's the quick version:

• Rinse all parts with mild/neutral soap and water after every use — especially after salt water. Treat the cover as you would your skin — avoid harsh or acidic chemicals.
• Use a soft toothbrush to remove debris from metal threads and openings.
• Pat components dry with a towel, then allow to fully air dry before reassembling. Never store wet or assembled.
• Store in a dry, cool place — the same environment you'd store your camera gear.
• Do not fold or compress the cover tightly during storage. Let it breathe to avoid fold marks.
• Use our carrying case during transport to protect the cover from hard objects, even inside a backpack.

Covers are rugged and highly elastic — designed to be stretched, pulled, and tugged during installation. However, they are susceptible to punctures from sharp objects during both use and storage. Avoid pulling the cover against the camera's hot shoe during installation, and protect it from impacts against paddles, kayak interiors, pool edges, or any hard surface. Such impacts are unlikely to cause large tears immediately, but can create micro-tears that allow water ingress over time.

Our neoprene carrying case (available in Shop By Parts) is large enough to store all components from an Entry or Pro Kit and fits easily into any camera bag.

Spare covers & shelf life: Some customers traveling to remote locations carry a spare cover as a precaution — a practical approach for extended expeditions. Unused covers stored properly in a cool, dry place retain their properties well; avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or heat, which can degrade the material over time.

Repair

All Outex components — including covers — can be purchased individually in Shop By Parts. When you need a new cover, replacements start at just $99 — a fraction of the cost of a new housing system — and are fully compatible with all Outex optical ports and dome ports.

Can a torn or punctured cover be permanently repaired? No. The covers are manufactured through a pressure- and temperature-cured process that cannot be fully restored post-production — similar to baking: you can't add ingredients after the fact. For a reliable long-term solution, replacement is the only option.

Field repair options (temporary use only — do not trust a field-repaired cover beyond surface or snorkel depth):

• Tape: Apply patches of Gorilla Tape or equivalent to both the inside and outside of the damaged area, fully covering the trouble zone. This may provide short-term water resistance.
• Silicone adhesive: Kitchen-and-bath type silicone glue can be applied over the damaged area and allowed to cure for 24 hours. Some EU customers recommend silicone tent sealant (e.g. Seam Grip). Results vary by product and composition.

None of these field solutions are permanent or guaranteed. We cannot recommend specific brands as availability and composition vary by country. They are intended to buy time until a replacement cover arrives.

Have questions about a specific part or repair? Our tech team is standing by — we're happy to help.

Related guides: Full Maintenance Guide  |  Clear vs. Blue Covers  |  Shop By Parts