Binman
Well-Known Member
I have some trousers that are rain proof but not fully waterproof, they are made 80% polyester, what can readers suggest, I would prefer to do the treatment in the washing machine, many thanks in advance.
Waterproofing clothes.
- Thread starter Binman
- Start date
VicS
Well-Known Member
I dont think you can effectively waterproof clothing yourself.
Decent waterproof clothing is lined or internally coated and horrendously expensive. If you will be wearing it for long there is no substitute for the doubly horrendously breathable stuff.
Not had the breathable stuff personally and have sometimes ended up just as wet inside my "oilies" due to perspiration as I might have been without them!
The very lightweight stuff may be affordable but is next to useless
Modulation
Well-Known Member
Afraid Vic is right. I've tried reproofing trousers myself - both in washing machine and as a spray-on - totally ineffe
ctive
Yngmar
Well-Known Member
If it's a waterproof fabric with a Durable Water Repellent coating (DWR - see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durable_water_repellent), after laundering the DWR must be reactivated by heat (dryer or iron - follow manufacturers instructions). This is usually sufficient, but eventually the DWR needs replenishing, for which there are products (Nikwax TX or Grangers Repel).
If the fabric itself is not waterproof, you can only spray or wash-in a traditional waterproofing, like Nikwax Fabric & Leather proof. This will work for a while, but wear off, especially in areas with lots of friction (i.e. the seat of your pants).
After some fidgeting around with cheap hiking overtrousers and an army ECWCS II jacket (technically a good way to score some proper waterproof fabric on the cheap - except the buttons corroded in a hurry after a wet passage), I decided to cough up the money for a Hudson Wight HW1 set, which was less eye-gougingly expensive than the established brands (especially with the RYA discount), and I'm very pleased with it.
If the fabric itself is not waterproof, you can only spray or wash-in a traditional waterproofing, like Nikwax Fabric & Leather proof. This will work for a while, but wear off, especially in areas with lots of friction (i.e. the seat of your pants).
After some fidgeting around with cheap hiking overtrousers and an army ECWCS II jacket (technically a good way to score some proper waterproof fabric on the cheap - except the buttons corroded in a hurry after a wet passage), I decided to cough up the money for a Hudson Wight HW1 set, which was less eye-gougingly expensive than the established brands (especially with the RYA discount), and I'm very pleased with it.
KellysEye
Well-Known Member
I've tried water proofing a raincoat and wet weather jacket following instructions to brush it on. It didn't work on either of them. It's strange I bought two raincoats and they are shower proof but any decent rain and they leak.
gerry99
Well-Known Member
I have used NikWax successfully. Have a look at their website they may be able to give you info as to the suitability of your material to re-proofing
Topcat47
Well-Known Member
I've been washing my old gore-tax suit in Nikwash and reproofing with Nikwax every year or two and it's still waterproof and functional although how much that has to do with the bottoms being salopette types I'm less sure. I bought a modern set of HH last year and my older "Simpson -Lawrence" set are actually warmer on a night sail. Do not use ordinary detergents on them though.
I also have a summer lightweight and a medium weight walking jacket (also Gore-tex) and these are as good as new. I put one in with my sailing suit when I wash it. It's always a good idea to wash the salt off at the end of your season and I use the NikWash for that even if I don't re-proof.
No shares in the company......just a satisfied custormer.
PS my wife uses it for her riding gear and horse rain sheets and swears by it too.
I also have a summer lightweight and a medium weight walking jacket (also Gore-tex) and these are as good as new. I put one in with my sailing suit when I wash it. It's always a good idea to wash the salt off at the end of your season and I use the NikWash for that even if I don't re-proof.
No shares in the company......just a satisfied custormer.
PS my wife uses it for her riding gear and horse rain sheets and swears by it too.
andygc
Well-Known Member
Yes, I use Nikwax products too. An easy job using a washing machine. First clean with Tech Wash and then wash again with whichever product suits the clothing you are reproofing. http://www.nikwax.co.uk/en-gb/index.php.
