Waterproofing

Hugh_C

Hi

I need to re-waterproof my jackets, any recommendations which product to use and where it can be got?

Thanks in advance,

Hugh

Alun

NikWax Tech-Wash to wash it in first followed by Nikwax TX-Direct Wash-In. You'll have to have access to a washing machine, and preferably a tumble dryer, although a cool iron will work also. Available at all outdoor stores (Great Outdoors, 53Degrees North etc.)

Roen

Quick money pinching tip: Use soap flakes as a cheaper alternative to the Nikwax tech wash. Get them from Tesco for about €2.50 for a box. The box lasts far longer than the tech wash and is about 1/3rd the price.

You have to measure out the amount you need and then dissolve them in hot water and add that to the machine. Takes a minute or two. The only caveat is that if the item is genuinely grubby soap flakes aren't in the same league as modern detergents for shifting grime.

Some gear manufacturers recommend running a service wash prior to washing and treating your garments. This is to remove any traces of detergent residue in the machine.

You basically run the hottest wash in an empty machine without adding any detergents and scrub out all the gunk in the powder compartment. The instructions that came with my machine actually recommends that a service wash is run once a month. Can't say I ever recall doing it or know anyone that bothers.

Arcteryx have a good guide written up for Gore-Tex. Other products seem to be similar enough in that regular washing liquids and powders are poison to the DWR coating.
I prefer a spray on for reproofing myself but I guess that's just personal choice.

Best of luck and did you have any luck?

http://www.arcteryx.com/product-care.aspx?EN

HeidiHeidi

Couple of question on this if I may.....

Is it necessary to wash gear before reproofing it? I'm not a complete slob, but neither do I require pristine gear! Just stuff to keep the water out.

Also, is there any reason why I couldn't use the Nikwax in a warm bath for my gear? My washing machine has never had a service wash in the 16-odd years I've had it :eek: and I doubt very much I'd be able to clear all detergent out of it. Could I bathe my gear, drip dry it and then finish it in the tumble dryer to activate the proofer?

The Dagda

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

Couple of question on this if I may.....

Is it necessary to wash gear before reproofing it? I'm not a complete slob, but neither do I require pristine gear! Just stuff to keep the water out.

Also, is there any reason why I couldn't use the Nikwax in a warm bath for my gear? My washing machine has never had a service wash in the 16-odd years I've had it :eek: and I doubt very much I'd be able to clear all detergent out of it. Could I bathe my gear, drip dry it and then finish it in the tumble dryer to activate the proofer?

Dirt alone will cause water to collect/stick/pool in places, and compromise the waterproofing, so the cleaner the garment the better.

Standard detergent damages the "built in" Durable Water Repellency (DWR) so using a specialist detergent protects the existing DWR, and can actually revitalize it.

Using the Nikwax TX Direct adds another layer of DWR, so it improves the waterproofing performance. The back of the bottle has instructions for hand washing, so bathing the jacket, rather than a machine wash, should be fine.

On the drying, you should only use a dryer if the care label of your jacket endorses it. Nikwax is just as effective after air drying so you do not need to use a dryer.