Re-proofing a goretex jacket?

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My mum bought a Simpson Lawrence Goretex® yellow suit from Crocket's the Ironmongers on West Nile Street, Glasgow.
That would have been early to mid 70's. About two sizes too big.

Donald Crocket was a good salesman.

Was it any good?

 

[Hot Property]

I've just reproffed my tonneau cover with Fabsil Gold and it's worked well.

I'm thinking I may have a go at my 30 year old Force 4 Windward foulies....

 

[michael_w]

 

[lustyd]

Just for clarity. 'Goretex' is not waterproof. I contend that washing does not do anything to the breathability. I also prefer sprays

The whole point is that it’s waterproof. Goretex doesn’t need the coating to be waterproof, that just stops the outer protective layer getting damp which causes the wearer to get cold, but the inner layer is very waterproof.

 

[Iliade]

I have made all the seam taping fall off three (!) sets of Musto's and at least two lightweight waterproofs by washing and tumbling. I'm not sure which, if either, machine was running too hot, but certainly both were set to moderate levels. The moral is to be very careful with machines.

 

[Mark-1]

If that says what I think it says (I can't watch now) then I've heard the same.

Gortex's patent ran out in 1997 so anyone can make it, however, for environmental reasons everyone (including Gortex) use other mechanisms.

Even back in the day, for Goretex to work, you needed airflow over the fabric (quite likely sailing) and two other conditions which I've forgotten.

 

[AndyDavies]

Fabsil worked a treat on my Flying Fifteen's cover, so I've tried it on my oilies. I've never had any success with the Nikwax products. Personally, I think Gore-Tex is something of con. How can something be breathable and waterproof at the same time?

Do you mean in the way skin is? Polarised molecules with a hydrophobic head and a hydrophilic tail.

 

[colind3782]

I probably accidentally sent this thread off at a tangent by mentioning that it's a Goretex jacket. My mountaineering days are over so I'm really more interested in waterproofing it for general use.

 

[mogmog2]

Fabsil worked a treat on my Flying Fifteen's cover, so I've tried it on my oilies. I've never had any success with the Nikwax products. Personally, I think Gore-Tex is something of con. How can something be breathable and waterproof at the same time?

I've just tried fabsil on my oilies as I've seen good things about it on canvas Maybe it won't work as they're different applications,but nothing ventured nothing gained.... I painted a first coating on, then sprayed a second and they're airing outside ATM. I'm just looking online to see if it would benefit from a tumble drying.
How well did the Fabsil work for you?

FWIW the principle of goretex is sound. It's only a semi-permeable membrane and they are totally proven, from cell biology to reverse osmosis watermakers. And the once hot topic of boat osmosis . Whether goretex works usefully in outerwear applications is another discussion.