Simple question, maybe a not so simple answer.

After machine washing a sprayway jacket it's no longer waterproof.

Any recommendations for re-waterproofing it based on your experience?
-- 
Clint Sharp

On Tue, 7 Oct 2008 16:58:34 +0100, Clint Sharp
 wrote:

>Simple question, maybe a not so simple answer.
>
>After machine washing a sprayway jacket it's no longer waterproof.
>
>Any recommendations for re-waterproofing it based on your experience?
>-- 
>Clint Sharp

Hi

I am not being funny, but try washing it again - without soap!!!

My wife and I washed our Goretex jackets in the washing machine and
the next time we wore them in the rain we got soaked.  We suspected
that not all of the soap had been removed in the rinse cycle, so
washed them again without any soap.  A surprising amount of soap came
out in the wash and the waterproofing properties of the jackets were
much improved - something to do with surface tension I think!!!.

However, just to be sure, we later re-waterproofed them using a
two-stage product made by (I think) Nikwax.  The first stage is to
wash them (in the washing machine) using a special detergent free
cleaner, then wash them again (also in the washing machine) adding a
reproofing liquid.  The products are designed for all waterproof
jackets - including Goretex - and certainly worked OK for us.  By
coincidence, just yesterday in a torrential downpour my wife commented
that her jacket seemed absolutely fine

You can probably buy the Nikwax products - or similar - at most
outdoor shops or mail order via the WWW.

Incidentally, I know somebody who once did some laboratory tests on
Goretex (he designed motor cycle clothing) and discovered that above a
certain wind speed they are useless - the wind just forces rain
straight through the fabric.

Regards
KGB

In message , KGB 
 writes
>Hi
>
>I am not being funny, but try washing it again - without soap!!!
Comments are appreciated, I'll do that. It does say on the wash label 
though that it will need re-proofing after a wash though.
>
> A surprising amount of soap came
>out in the wash and the waterproofing properties of the jackets were
>much improved - something to do with surface tension I think!!!.
Interesting, of course soap reduces surface tension improving the 
wetting capability of water, I knew that or at least now you've reminded 
me I did.
>
>However, just to be sure, we later re-waterproofed them using a
>two-stage product made by (I think) Nikwax.
I found the NikWax site but was a bit confused as to which product I 
should use, I'll email them.
>
>Incidentally, I know somebody who once did some laboratory tests on
>Goretex (he designed motor cycle clothing) and discovered that above a
>certain wind speed they are useless - the wind just forces rain
>straight through the fabric.
Hopefully it's never going to get that windy on our walks but what with 
the British summer and global warming who knows..
>
>Regards
>KGB
>
Thanks.
-- 
Clint Sharp

On Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:42:29 GMT, "KGB"
 (KGB) wrote:

>On Tue, 7 Oct 2008 16:58:34 +0100, Clint Sharp
> wrote:
>
>>Simple question, maybe a not so simple answer.
>>
>>After machine washing a sprayway jacket it's no longer waterproof.
>>
>>Any recommendations for re-waterproofing it based on your experience?
>>-- 
>>Clint Sharp
>
>Hi
>
>I am not being funny, but try washing it again - without soap!!!
>
>My wife and I washed our Goretex jackets in the washing machine and
>the next time we wore them in the rain we got soaked.  We suspected
>that not all of the soap had been removed in the rinse cycle, so
>washed them again without any soap.  A surprising amount of soap came
>out in the wash and the waterproofing properties of the jackets were
>much improved - something to do with surface tension I think!!!.
>
>However, just to be sure, we later re-waterproofed them using a
>two-stage product made by (I think) Nikwax.  The first stage is to
>wash them (in the washing machine) using a special detergent free
>cleaner, then wash them again (also in the washing machine) adding a
>reproofing liquid.  The products are designed for all waterproof
>jackets - including Goretex - and certainly worked OK for us.  By
>coincidence, just yesterday in a torrential downpour my wife commented
>that her jacket seemed absolutely fine

I tried a two-stage product for cleaning and reproofing a goretex
jacket.  I can't remember the brand but it worked the same way.  It
did not work at all.  Afterwards the jacket was as waterproof as a
cotton shirt so I threw it away.

-- 
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