Endura Venturi Jacket Problems

[actonblue]

I have had an Endura Venturi jacket since Christmas it is the new version proclaiming PTFE protection on the sleeves.
In the current down pours it has started to make a decent impression of a £150 sponge letting me get wet.
So I decide to follow the care instructions in order to revive it's water repellent properties, they are simple to follow:
Wash at 30 degrees with non bio washing detergent and then iron (presumably after it had dried) on a low heat to activate the
water repellent. Has it done the trick? No I still have a £150 sponge.

My questions are is Nikwax suitable for this PTFE protection material whick I presume is the same as the technical fabrics or should I send it back to Endura and say that your product does not respond to the care instructions that you recommend?

Many thanks.

Colin.

 

[Fiona N]

I'd have a go with Techwash - I've always found it a suitable medium for perking up breatheable fabrics.

But are you sure it's leaking on the sleeves and that's it's not just condensing sweat in the relatively high temperature and humidity of a UK summer? No breatheable waterproof fabrics work well when the external vapour pressure (temp + humidity, effectively) is almost the same as inside the jacket. That's why many of us give up with the 'waterproof' bit and go for very lightweight materials which are more breatheable but only water resistant like Pertex.

 

[Scoosh]

IIRC if using Techwash or other similar stuff, you need to clean the washing machine by running it through a full cycle without any washing powder/liquid in, as the detergent prevents the Techwash from doing it's thing.

 

[stephec]

I'd have a go with Techwash - I've always found it a suitable medium for perking up breatheable fabrics.

But are you sure it's leaking on the sleeves and that's it's not just condensing sweat in the relatively high temperature and humidity of a UK summer? No breatheable waterproof fabrics work well when the external vapour pressure (temp + humidity, effectively) is almost the same as inside the jacket. That's why many of us give up with the 'waterproof' bit and go for very lightweight materials which are more breatheable but only water resistant like Pertex.

I had a similar explanation given to me by my lbs where I bought an Altura waterproof, either that or driving rain getting in over the collar.

I tested my jacket by standing still in the shower for five minutes, sure enough when I got out it was bone dry inside.

 

[actonblue]

I tested it by walking to the shops in a local downpour and some paper in the pockets was soaking.
My gripe is, Endura say all you need to re-proof it is wash and iron the jacket, there is no mention of having to use a re-proofer.
But if I have to use one can I use Tech wash on PTFE protection garments?

I have had better performing jackets that cost a lot less.

Many thanks.

Colin.

 

[Fiona N]

IIRC if using Techwash or other similar stuff, you need to clean the washing machine by running it through a full cycle without any washing powder/liquid in, as the detergent prevents the Techwash from doing it's thing.

If I'm just washing the one jacket and it's improving performance rather than shifting a load of grime that's required, I just handwash it and drip dry. Just use rubber gloves to protect your skin, though.

 

[Tynan]

if it actually does leak from new I doubt 'reproofing' it is any use

anything really waterproof is very likely to be very sweaty