hi all,
This summers weather contained some challenging weather for us. Happily the tents all held up to wind and rain. However we didnt get much protection from the various jakects and cagoles. I think theyve been washed too often, Can I re-waterpoof them. Any recomended products? Thanks all
Bx
I used tent waterproofer worked great.Buy a tin or bottle from caravan shops put into one of those hand spray bottles,used an empty fabreeze bottle myself,hung jacket on a washing line and sprayed till it looked wet on start,if that makes sence.Wear a mask when you spray it does dry quick in the sun and smells a bit for a couple of days but this goes when well ventilated..
Quote: Originally posted by jeff juke on 18/9/2010
I used tent waterproofer worked great.Buy a tin or bottle from caravan shops put into one of those hand spray bottles,used an empty fabreeze bottle myself,hung jacket on a washing line and sprayed till it looked wet on start,if that makes sence.Wear a mask when you spray it does dry quick in the sun and smells a bit for a couple of days but this goes when well ventilated..
I've found washing my waterproof jackets with nikwax and then proofing afterwards has worked well and they still do the job they were designed for. Wash first in nikwax and then in the proofing stuff.
I read some interesting info on waxed jackets. If they are used in hot sun,or left hanging up in a warm place, the wax migrates downwards, so shoulders etc leak. If left flat in a hot or sunny place, the wax re distributes itself.
There you go, free water proofing.
------------- Canvas tent, paraffin light, petrol stove. Heaven
I'd rather be kayaking.
Spent up, not pent up, just had my new tent up.
Most outdoor shops sell wash-in reproofer. You use it in the washing machine and it cleans and reproofs at the same time. I did all of mine with it last year and the results were great.
You can also get a spray to do it but you've got to make sure you don't miss a bit and you also need very good ventilation or you might knock yourself out with the fumes!
------------- Mar - Milarrochy Bay - 9 days
Apr - Drayton Manor - 1 day
May - Saxdale - 4 days
May - Nantcol - 9 days
July - Weymouth - 1 day
July - Rozel Bay - 14 days
Aug - Corfe Castle - 2 days
Aug - Saxdale - 4 days
Sep - Stratford - 2 days
Oct - Stainforth - 2 days
Dec - Saxdale - 5 days
To be continued.....
Short answer, which I don't mean to be facetious ... read the care label.
Long answer ...
If they are non-breathable materials, i.e. inherently waterproof, coated polyester rather than Gore-Tex, Event, Entrant, etc., washing shouldn't stop them being waterproof. However, water may not bead on the outside so they will look wet. Wetness on the inside is likely to be condensation in that case. You can use a reproofer to restore beading (and that will be on both sides) but it doesn't really affect the waterproofing of this type of garment.
Breathable waterproofs can be reproofed as in the posts above but the important point is that no traces of detergent, i.e. washing powder come into contact with them during the last phase of washing/proofing. If your washing machine has washing powder residue in the drawer when you use a proofer for example, that can affect the results. Detergent makes water wet the clothing rather than beading and running off and can eventually seep through.
I find the most reliable way is to wash in a well-rinsed sink in pure soap flakes that have been dissolved in hot water. This does pretty much the same job as something like Nikwax Tech Wash but a lot cheaper. Rinse then reproof with any of the wash-in proofers - Graingers, Nikwax, etc. Tumble drying on a low heat helps to set the waterproof coating. Dry in the sun or very cool iron if you can't safely tumble dry.
If this is done properly, the water repellency will remain for about six washes as long as the same care is taken to avoid detergent. Then reproof again.
Agree with sanhozay, a tablespoon of pure soap flakes, e.g. "Granny's" available from Tesco, dissolved in hot water is a cost effective version of tech wash followed by a reproofer. I don't have a tumble drier and was advised to use nikwax tx direct and it worked a treat on my gore-tex jacket and trousers. Always take care to rinse out my washing machine to clear it of detergent residue prior to washing/reproofing
I asked the same question a couple of months back and this is what I did!
Quote: Originally posted by Fiona28 on 18/9/2010
I've found washing my waterproof jackets with nikwax and then proofing afterwards has worked well and they still do the job they were designed for. Wash first in nikwax and then in the proofing stuff.
However, it never rained when I had my jacket on until the other day and I can say it worked as it should, water is now beading and running off once again.
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Topic: re waterproofing jackets
