Waterproof Maintence

[Walkerdb7]

Hi All, Asking this more for some old north face jackets, but I figured the outwear nuts on here would be the best feedback...

 

If I want to try and and condition and older jacket, do I Want the waterproof detergent, spray, or both?

 

Here's some random things I found on amazon. Very open to other suggestions.

 

[Itsjustagame]

I use the Nikwax produts and they work pretty well.

Goretex products in particular can be re-waterproofed.

Haven't has as much sucess with DWR finishes. Had an older ski jacket and finally gave up getting that back to being waterproof.

[Walkerdb7]

This and you use both?

 

[sheppy335]

Other posters hit it hard, Nikwax and nothing else. 

[VNutz]

I've used Nikwax in the past as well, was told the wash in kind is far better than the spray on kind but have no experience with the spray.

[Walkerdb7]

anyone every tried to recondition shoes with these? Or have something else to recommend to help clean them clean and waterproof?

[stevopagolf]

Only Nikwax here

[Tupperwolf]

3 hours ago, Walkerdb7 said:

anyone every tried to recondition shoes with these? Or have something else to recommend to help clean them clean and waterproof?

I actually got some spray with a pair of Vans that I bought and it works great.  I've used it on all of my shoes.  Water beads up and rolls off.  I went for a muddy hike wearing those same new Vans that I treated and the dirt just rinsed/wiped easily off. My wife also got me a pair of Oliver Cabell shoes for xmas and their shoe cleaner/waterproofing kit, which I haven't used yet but looks similar. I think if you look for some kind of generic water/dirt proofing spray that has good reviews it'll work fine.

Edited January 20, 2022 by Tupperwolf

[cristphoto]

I can't speak to non-Goretex gear but for Goretex material specific washing methods are critical.  You can purchase detergent that's specifically made for Goretex (expensive) or you can use Woolite or other liquid (no powder) brands that are the eco-friendly type (no fabric softener, or other non-detergent additives). If you've been tossing the raingear in the regular wash using normal detergent you have harmed the material.  It can be corrected by a couple washings in warm water with the proper detergent.  Don't apply any additional reviver until gear is properly washed. Also only use the spray-on revivers such as Nikwax (my favorite).  Nikwax and other brands are also available in wash-in style but Goretex doesn't recommend them. You only want the coating on the outside, not on the inside which will happen if you use the wash-in brands.  All of this info is available on the Goretex website or sites of Goretex clothing suppliers. 

 

My oldest Goretex jacket is about 30 years old (MacGregor Tourney) and after continual use of the above methods it still beads up (but is pretty frayed). This is why I continue to say that the lifetime guarantee on Goretex products is great value.  I've purchased "rain gear" from Footjoy that's pretty much shot after a couple years even after attempting to revive.  Spend good money once - it's cheaper in the long run.  

[JNK]

If I can add $.02 on the wash-IN type waterproofers...do not use them for anything that needs to breath. Breathable, waterproof fabrics (like Goretex) will lose all breathability if you use Nikwax Direct Wash In. The waterproof will block the microscopic pores the let vapor (sweat) out. You want to use the spray-on type for jackets, pants, and shoes. Most of the major outdoor clothing brands are recommending this as the only way to revive clothing. 🙂

[dropkicked]

I use both ReviveX (gear aid) and Nikwax Techwash.

ReviveX for DWR clothing.

Techwash for Goretex or similar.

 

Once cleaned it will breathable and repel water just as it did when you first purchased.

 

For shoes, I wipe them down clean with a warm, damp MF cloth with a tiny bit of Dawn dish soap. To remove stains I use Mr Clean magic eraser. Once they've been cleaned and are dry, you can spray on a sealant of your choice (I do multiple rounds of spray, allowing the application to dry each time before reapplying.)

 

[blink3665]

On 1/20/2022 at 8:39 AM, Walkerdb7 said:

anyone every tried to recondition shoes with these? Or have something else to recommend to help clean them clean and waterproof?

 

For cleaning my shoes, I use oxyclean and magic eraser. If they are real bad, I toss them into the washer with a load of towels and a bunch of oxyclean.

 

To help with waterproofing and to help keep them easy to clean, I use ScotchGuard (Heavy Duty Water Shield). I use that on my hats and my golf bags too. Basically anything that I want to make easier to clean.

 

 

On 1/20/2022 at 7:38 AM, Walkerdb7 said:

Hi All, Asking this more for some old north face jackets, but I figured the outwear nuts on here would be the best feedback...

 

If I want to try and and condition and older jacket, do I Want the waterproof detergent, spray, or both?

 

Here's some random things I found on amazon. Very open to other suggestions.

 

 

I use ReviveX for my DWR outerwear. I use the nikwax wash in for my goretex.

[bluedot]

There is a big difference between DWR, Goretex, and Goretex “shake dry”, and the way you care for them is different. As mentioned earlier, the Goretex website does a great job of explaining all of this.

 

A garment that is Goretex but which has a degraded DWR coating on the shell will still keep you dry. It will be heavier and it won’t breathe properly, but you’ll be dry except for the sweat that accumulates inside the garment.

 

In my experience, it isn’t that difficult to maintain or “renew” a DWR coating, whether or not it’s on a Goretex garment.  The only reason I can think of that it degrades would be thru lots of laundering with standard detergent.  And it may be that some people skip the step where they run the DWR garment then the dryer to reactivate the DWR. It’s a bit counterintuitive, but absolutely necessary.

[Walkerdb7]

On 1/20/2022 at 2:24 PM, Tupperwolf said:

I actually got some spray with a pair of Vans that I bought and it works great.  I've used it on all of my shoes.  Water beads up and rolls off.  I went for a muddy hike wearing those same new Vans that I treated and the dirt just rinsed/wiped easily off. My wife also got me a pair of Oliver Cabell shoes for xmas and their shoe cleaner/waterproofing kit, which I haven't used yet but looks similar. I think if you look for some kind of generic water/dirt proofing spray that has good reviews it'll work fine.

What is it? I have tried like every shoe repellent and nothing seems to work that well IMO

[Walkerdb7]

On 1/23/2022 at 8:22 AM, bluedot said:

There is a big difference between DWR, Goretex, and Goretex “shake dry”, and the way you care for them is different. As mentioned earlier, the Goretex website does a great job of explaining all of this.

 

A garment that is Goretex but which has a degraded DWR coating on the shell will still keep you dry. It will be heavier and it won’t breathe properly, but you’ll be dry except for the sweat that accumulates inside the garment.

 

In my experience, it isn’t that difficult to maintain or “renew” a DWR coating, whether or not it’s on a Goretex garment.  The only reason I can think of that it degrades would be thru lots of laundering with standard detergent.  And it may be that some people skip the step where they run the DWR garment then the dryer to reactivate the DWR. It’s a bit counterintuitive, but absolutely necessary.

What is DWR?

[Tupperwolf]

19 minutes ago, Walkerdb7 said:

What is it? I have tried like every shoe repellent and nothing seems to work that well IMO

This stuff

https://www.vans.com/shop/vans-water-stain-shield-white

 

[VNutz]

25 minutes ago, Walkerdb7 said:

What is DWR?

https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/rainwear-dwr.html

[Walkerdb7]

23 minutes ago, Tupperwolf said:

This stuff

https://www.vans.com/shop/vans-water-stain-shield-white

 

ha, literally Van brand. Sorry I am dense!

I have used Jason Markk, Creep protecth, etc and none of them blow me away

[Yringa]

1 hour ago, Tupperwolf said:

This stuff

https://www.vans.com/shop/vans-water-stain-shield-white

 

Thanks!

[bluedot]

5 hours ago, Walkerdb7 said:

What is DWR?

 

5 hours ago, Walkerdb7 said:

What is DWR?

DWR stands for “durable water resistant”; it’s the treatment given to the outer shell of water resistant garments that causes water to bead up and roll off.  It can be taken care of and renewed, with one of the keys being NOT to launder a garment with a DWR coating with regular detergent. This is where products like Nikwax come in, along with using the heat of a dryer to reactivate the DWR.

 

Goretex is a membrane inside the jacket, and the outer shell will have a DWR coating as well.  If you screw up the DWR coating of a Goretex jacket, the jacket will be heavy and clammy in the rain, but the Goretex still keeps the water out.  Unfortunately, it also keeps perspiration in b/c the Goretex doesn’t breath the way it was designed. You’ll think the jacket leaked b/c it’s soaked inside, but it’s actually condensation from your own perspiration.