Musto BR2 - a bit fishy

[Sandy]

Sandy the reason you differ with him is he just can not be wrong and will argue a point until others just give up.
As an example Gore Tex have since the 1980s stated that an iron can be used the rejuvenate the DWR.

I've noticed, but it is not an issue, its an internet forum and we are here to share knowledge. It is a cold winters night and if somebody wants to argue the best way to reproof some Gore Tex kit then so be it. Gore Tex suggest two ways. @lustyd does it one way I do it the other way. I am happy with the performance of my kit @lustyd is happy with the way his kit works.

There is no scientific way to know what version works best as there is no way of measuring the performance of the kit that is repeatable as my body will react in one way while @lustly's will react in a different way given exactly the same environmental conditions.

I shall chuckle during the summer when the heavens open again and I dash below to put on the kit.

 

[Frank Holden]

Maybe the OP left an uneaten kipper sandwich in one of the pockets?

Happened to me once - sort of.

A tropical sea passage of a few weeks duration -- awful rotting fish smell by the companionway that got worse by the day. Everyone blaming everyone else for the pong. After a while it went away.

Several years later had to remove the cowl(?) for maintenance. Found the remains of a rather large flying fish which had entered through the hole where the reefing lines etc come in.

I'd check the pockets.

 

[gaylord694]

I wonder if this is where @lustyd and I differ.

From the Gore Tex web site [How to Restore the Durable Water Repellency of Your Raingear]

Is @lustyd following this method?

If so he is revitalising the factory DWR, while I follow the paragraph below as I use the two part Nikwax Tech Wash & TX.Direct Wash-in

Meaning that every time go through the washing process I am adding a new DWR layer to my kit, and no mention of popping your kit in a tumble dryer or waving an iron in the general direction of your prized oilies in that paragraph.

Interestingly, Gore Tex state that whatever method you use this will not make the material more waterproof.

Giving this some thought over supper, I wonder how long the DWR layer lasts - give the respective age of our kit and the physical 'trauma' it goes through.

My kit gets packed in bags, bags get tossed in, cars, boats, aircraft holds and trains. Rubbed against all sorts of things including lifejackets, tethers, decks, masts, sails and seats. With occasional mugs of hot steaming tea or coffee, or a chilled glass of wine spilt over it! And after reading the Gore Tex web site suspect that the DWR layer might be removed from the kit as soon as I put it on!

I am planning a wee trip to Baltimore in June 2025 and as it is Ireland am expecting some rain. I feel some product testing coming on. A treatment before I set off and visual inspections for beading.

We best not start on the subject of the best socks to wear in your sea boots!

Sandy I recommend you leave it someone will argue you to death.

As it was said in a previous post he's discredited himself and like I keep saying there's always someone who knows everything about nothing ........ How wonderful these human beings are

 

[Petertheking1982]

From my understanding there are two aspects to modern breathable waterproofs to keep you dry.

The first is the DWR (durable water repellant) layer. This is a coating which makes water bead and roll off on the surface, helping prevent the fabric from becoming saturated or wetted out. Think of this like leather boots, the smooth polished surface promotes water beading and rolling off. For short periods this alone will be enough to keep the water out, but at some point the fabric will start to absorb the water. This layer wears out with use relatively quickly and needs to be rejuvenated with nikwax / grangers.

The next barrier is the waterproof breathable layer (ie goretex membrane). Goretex is a fragile coating so normally sandwiched between material to protect (ie 3 layer goretex (fabric, goretex, fabric). This layer is waterproof, even when the fabric is wetted out. However when the outer fabric is wetted out the breathability is massively reduced. This layer needs to be washed to prevent dirt clogging up the little holes that allow breathability.

From my understanding the DWR layer likes heat (ie tumble drier) to help 'activate' it. But the relatively fragile goretex membrane does not like the rough and tumble of the drier, especially the taped seams.

I have just checked care instructions on my collection (walking and sailing, from 25 to 3 years old). They all recommend heat after washing, but only a little bit (oldest is goretex paclite and recommends hand-wash then tumble dry, newest is 30° machine washable, then 10min on low heat in the tumble).

My personal use is to rinse if salty / dirty throughout the year, then once a year a proper wash and tumble with nikwax products. Also realising that if you are out in the rain for long enough, you will get damp eventually!

So to finally answer the op, I would try rinsing in fresh, if that does not get rid of the fish smell, a wash with nikwax or grangers.

 

[Mister E]

As has been said rinse with clean hand hot water. Possibly try turning it inside out then using a shower to give a a good clean.
Allow to drip dry naturally then if the smell persists send it back to be checked by the manufacturer. As the coat is nearly new I wouldn't use any cleaners or dryer but let the people with the real knowledge sort it out.

That is my personal take on this.

 

[choppy]

Thanks for your suggestions/take on this - Salopettes did not get dirty - aside from normal grubbing about on a sail boat -just wet on their 2 outings (Not gutting fish etc !!) & if kit gets salty I would usually hose them off whenever next at home & dry on the line or indoors.
The smell is from manufacture (Similar to fish glue or some derivative as originally mentioned) or maybe even storage as aluded to.
As no one has had similar experience may well contact where they were bought from & see what they say .
(Or live with it)
Cheers