How To Re-Waterproof Rain Gear

If anyone has any ideas on re-waterproofing rain gear and whatnot, please feel free to share. I'm considering 3M spray or Rustoleum but thought there might be another good alternative out there.

I use Nikwax on my rain and ski gear. Put it in the washer, with your gear, and it reapplied the water repellant.

http://www.rei.com/product/724690/nikwax-txdirect-20-wash-in-water-repellent-treatment-10-fl-oz

I use Nikwax on my rain and ski gear. Put it in the washer, with your gear, and it reapplied the water repellant.

 

http://www.rei.com/product/724690/nikwax-txdirect-20-wash-in-water-repellent-treatment-10-fl-oz

That's the stuff I use on all my ski and rain gear. I also use the tech wash from them first, then use the treatment.

I use Nikwax on my rain and ski gear. Put it in the washer, with your gear, and it reapplied the water repellant.

 

http://www.rei.com/product/724690/nikwax-txdirect-20-wash-in-water-repellent-treatment-10-fl-oz

That's the stuff I use on all my ski and rain gear. I also use the tech wash from them first, then use the treatment.

Thanks, I left the tech wash part out.

That will do it. Works great.

This is what Goretex and Zero Restriction recommend:

Wash the item in warm water with standard liquid detergent (not the deluxe type that has built-in fabric softener). Do not use a powder detergent. Set the washer to perform a second rinse. Take the item out of the washer and let drip dry for a few minutes. Then while the item is still wet lay down flat and liberally spray with the PROPER Nikwax product. After spraying let sit for about 10 minutes to adhere. Then turn the item over and spray the other side. Again wait about 10 minutes and then hang the item up. Take a damp rag and wipe off any excess. Let hang until almost dry and then put in the dryer. Check washing instructions on garment. Then use that temperature to dry the item. Once dry run in dryer a second time on low to finish. I have 3 Zero Restriction Goretex jackets and a Sunice Flexvent jacket (same basic formula as Goretex) and do this once a year. The water just jumps off the jackets like when they were new. I also do the rain hats and pants too).

Earlier I said use the PROPER Nikwax product. Only use the spray-on items, not the wash-in. Goretex doesn't recommend the wash-in as it coats both (all) sides of the garment which hurts breathability. Use Nikwax TX Direct spray for Goretex and other similar lifetime waterproof materials. For items that aren't Goretex (cheaper "water resistant" gear) use Nikwax Softshell Proof spray.

This is what Goretex and Zero Restriction recommend:

 

Wash the item in warm water with standard liquid detergent (not the deluxe type that has built-in fabric softener). Do not use a powder detergent. Set the washer to perform a second rinse. Take the item out of the washer and let drip dry for a few minutes. Then while the item is still wet lay down flat and liberally spray with the PROPER Nikwax product. After spraying let sit for about 10 minutes to adhere. Then turn the item over and spray the other side. Again wait about 10 minutes and then hang the item up. Take a damp rag and wipe off any excess. Let hang until almost dry and then put in the dryer. Check washing instructions on garment. Then use that temperature to dry the item. Once dry run in dryer a second time on low to finish. I have 3 Zero Restriction Goretex jackets and a Sunice Flexvent jacket (same basic formula as Goretex) and do this once a year. The water just jumps off the jackets like when they were new. I also do the rain hats and pants too).

 

Earlier I said use the PROPER Nikwax product. Only use the spray-on items, not the wash-in. Goretex doesn't recommend the wash-in as it coats both (all) sides of the garment which hurts breathability. Use Nikwax TX Direct spray for Goretex and other similar lifetime waterproof materials. For items that aren't Goretex (cheaper "water resistant" gear) use Nikwax Softshell Proof spray.

Awesome step by step post! I'll have to pick that stuff up and apply it as you noted. I'd be very interested to apply the spray for items that are water resistant.

I basically do the same as everyone that has stated above..i use nikwax tech wash to wash 2-3 garmets at a time. (About $12 from EMS). Then once thats done, i hang the garmets up and spray them down with gear aid revive x waterproof spray or grangers xt proofer. Then they go in the drier on medium heat for 60 min..

You can use these water proof sprays on any "waterproof/water resistant" fabrics, as Goretex is just a layer of fabric sandwiched between an inner layer and outer layer. If your garmet is dirty, is clogged up from sunsreen, or body oil, the pieece will not breath properly and you will feel wet on the inside from your own body condensation. If the DWR is isnt kept up in the outside, then your garmet will soak up water instead of it beading off, and not breath right, and you will feel wet