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Just wondering if anyone has had any results with the special shampo - cleaners -reproofing products that claim to make your jackets water proof again. Our coats are a couple of years old now and when it rains the fabric soaks up a fair bit of water (they dont leak) meaning they take an age to dry, but when new a quick shake and all the water was gone. As this is all that is wrong I cant see much need to replace them at around £90 but would like to be able to restore that brand new repelency that they had.

Mick

Quote: Originally posted by mick-gail on 14/09/2004

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Our coats are a couple of years old now and when it rains the fabric soaks up a fair bit of water (they dont leak) meaning they take an age to dry, but when new a quick shake and all the water was gone. As this is all that is wrong I cant see much need to replace them at around £90 but would like to be able to restore that brand new repelency that they had.

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The treatments such as the Nikwax products will not make a nylon jacket waterproof.

What these products do very effectivly is make the surface of the nylon repel water so that in light rain water beads and rolls off, this as you have noticed makes the jackets easier to dry. In heavy rain however eventually the fabric wets out and it stops beading.

Note that most of these treatments dont work so well when they get dirty, the water stops beading. And if you wash them in normal soap or detergent it removes the treatment. You need to use a special soap to clean the jacket without removing the treatment.

I was reading the blurb on various jackets the other day that said that when they started absorbing water, the repellency could be restored by either tumble drying the jacket on a low heat, or ironing the jacket on a low heat. It then said that when that stopped working, they needed to be re-treated.

Not tried either method, but it does seem to be what certain manufacturers are recommending.

Re-waxed a jacket of mine recently and it seems to work O K. However i think I should have used more wax to get a better finish. Stand the tin in hot water and reckon to use a tin per jacket. If it doesn't go on smoothly use a hot air gun with a spreader nozzle to re - heat the fabric and spread the wax around. This also helps it soak in.

I like the idea of using a tumble drier, must try it sometime.

We used Nikwax wash-in waterproofing, waterproofing for all waterproof breathable clothing You just wash in the machine on low temperture.

It seems to have reproofed coat, only used twice since, so it remains to be seen how ling it lasts

Jen

Mick,

You need to restore the DWR (durable water repelency), this is lost when you wash in detergent (bio or none bio). If you use Tech wash or pure soapflakes the DWR is not damaiged. Any traces of detergent will compromise the DWR so run an empty rinse cycle first. Gentle heat from a tumble dryer or iron also helps.

Lloyd

As JenAll says I use the Nikwax wash in reproofer for my breathable nylon coat it seems to work a treat. I wash in tech wash then the reproofer then tumble dry the coat on a cool setting, the water literally runs off it afterward.

Are you guys saying I needn't pay out for the reproofer?

Also Stuart you mention on the other related thread a jacket you own of another waterproof material what is it? As a cyclist in this country anything waterproof interests me !

Martin,

I think if you re-proof with Nikwax, it will give the garment even more water repellency, which must be a good thing, the main thing is not to wash in detergent in the first place. I have now found Dry Pack soap flakes are on sale in Morrissons, so should also be in other supermarkets, Dry Pack used to make Lux, which was disscontinued. This is a lot cheaper than Nikwax Tech Wash. Saddlers has Nikwax tx direct re-proofer at the best price I have found so far.

Lloyd

Thanks for that Lloyd, i'll look out for it.

Post last edited on 17/09/2004 15:25:47

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Martin.

It's not the size of the dog in the fight- it's the size of the fight in the dog!

Quote: Originally posted by steelyglint on 17/09/2004

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Also Stuart you mention on the other related thread a jacket you own of another waterproof material what is it? As a cyclist in this country anything waterproof interests me !

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I have two paramo jackets and their fleece, see the full range here;

http://www.paramo.co.uk/UK/index.html

I have this jacket, which is good for cycling, it is completly waterproof but breathes as if its a fleece.

http://www.paramo.co.uk/UK/acatalog/CuzcoJacket-16-116.html

And this which I use for hillwalking etc;

http://www.paramo.co.uk/UK/acatalog/MensAltaJacket-16-38.html

The Paramo fleece is unique, its as warm as your average fleece but will keep the rain out too;

http://www.paramo.co.uk/UK/acatalog/Warmth&Waterproofing-14.html

Thanks Stuart,

had a look at these look like quality kit off to a retailer to see the real thing before parting with some serious cash, 'cos they ain't cheap!

Quote: Originally posted by steelyglint on 19/09/2004

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Thanks Stuart,

had a look at these look like quality kit off to a retailer to see the real thing before parting with some serious cash, 'cos they ain't cheap!

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Cheap they are not, although I got the Cuzco jacket half price in a sale. 

However good Goretex Jackets are not cheap either, I went thru a couple and after the last one started leaking (in heavy rain & wind) I decided to buy something else.

The beauty of the Paramo stuff, apart from its extreme breathability, is that you can restore it to full waterproofness by washing in the Nikwax proofer.

I would not advise the overtrousers for summer use, they are great when its colder (as in the winter) they are very comfortable and can be worn all day just like trousers, but a bit too warm to be wearing in the summer.