Waterproofing a jacket
- Thread starter Wester
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I had a montane velo featherlite, it was only showerproof and probably was only water resistant for about 15 mins at most when new. I tried Nikwax a few times and it was useless, eventually I decided the jacket was well past its best and time to replace it but before I did, I soaked it in Fabsil Gold (not the spray) which I had left over from waterproofing a tent and just hung it to dry. Next time I needed to wear it was on an Audax and I rode it in 5 hours of torrential rain, it never let a drop of rain in, water just beaded and ran off, it gave the jacket a new lease of life and I also treated my 2 cheapo Aldi jackets and a Gilet the same way and now all three items are perfect now out in the rain. It was never even that good brand new, even last week I was caught out in a heavy downpour and water still beaded off.
One important thing to remember about washing waterproofs with Nikwax is that there must be no other soapy stuff around in the washing machine when you use the Nikwax, as the Nikwax doesn't work if it come into any contact with soap, which is why they always say on the container that you must at least do a complete wash cycle with no soap and no clothing in the machine to reduce the possibility/ likelihood of contamination. Failure to do this will indeed lead to the 'Nikwax is rubbish' sentiments - which I had until it was pointed out to me that ... 
Following the Nikwax instructions made quite a difference ...
Following the Nikwax instructions made quite a difference ...
Profpointy
Legendary Member
..
Following the Nikwax instructions made quite a difference ...
that's crazy talk !
There are two types of people in this world - those who only ever read instructions as a very last resort..... and those who don't
stuee147
Senior Member
- Location
- north ayrshire
Nikwax has to be one of the best iv used but mountain warehouse do a very good spray on waterproofer
I did indeed follow the instructions to the letter. I washed the jacket with no detergent prior to using the sachet too. That said, my washing machine is so old Jesus could have used it, so maybe there's still some residue stuck in there...One important thing to remember about washing waterproofs with Nikwax is that there must be no other soapy stuff around in the washing machine when you use the Nikwax, as the Nikwax doesn't work if it come into any contact with soap, which is why they always say on the container that you must at least do a complete wash cycle with no soap and no clothing in the machine to reduce the possibility/ likelihood of contamination. Failure to do this will indeed lead to the 'Nikwax is rubbish' sentiments - which I had until it was pointed out to me that ...
Following the Nikwax instructions made quite a difference ...
Fabsil Gold is recommended for breathable fabrics and when you apply it, it soaks right through the fabric anyway, my Mondane jacket is still breathable but my Aldi jackets will always be "boil in the bag" due to what they are made from, but at least they are completely waterproof now and not showerproof.
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