wonky
Registered user
Gore-Tex 'cleaners' etc.....
Different treatments are recommended for different brands and types of Gore garments.
We sell Klim. All Klim garments are the 'shell' variety, ie the waterproof layer is the outer shell of the garment. The Gore membrane (the PTFE layer with millions of tiny holes as mentioned above) is laminated between a tough outer material, usually a 'ballistic' nylon or cordura, and another inner layer to protect the membrane.
The breathability and subjective waterproofing relies on the outer layer being treated to make water bead up and run off as it lands on the jacket.
After a period of time that treatment becomes less effective and the outer layer of the laminate 'wets out'. Basically that thin outer layer will hold water.
now if you can imagine the membrane is now completely sealed by actual liquid water in the very outer fabric layer. As you sweat the water vapour now hits a cold layer of liquid and condenses on the inside of the jacket making you wet. Water vapour cant pass through water, it just condenses and becomes water!
Once the jacket has stopped beading water the first thing to do is wash it on its own in a washing machine with no chemicals. Tumble dry it. This should re-activate the water repellant coating.
If this doesnt work wash it again, then treat with a spray-on reproofing spray and tumble dry. We sell Revivex as it is recommended by Klim. You only treat the outer shell. This is important as if you treat the inside the wicking effect of the inner layer wont work as it will bead-up any moisture inside the jacket and not transfer it to the membrane.
Im not a real fabrics expert but having spent a lot of time using and learning about Klim garments. This is the correct procedure for them and i hope it explains a little about how Gore-Tex shell garments are supposed to work.
Like a high performance bike they need some maintenance to keep them working at the optimum level!
I dont know how the jackets with a waterproof liner are supposed to work.
Different treatments are recommended for different brands and types of Gore garments.
We sell Klim. All Klim garments are the 'shell' variety, ie the waterproof layer is the outer shell of the garment. The Gore membrane (the PTFE layer with millions of tiny holes as mentioned above) is laminated between a tough outer material, usually a 'ballistic' nylon or cordura, and another inner layer to protect the membrane.
The breathability and subjective waterproofing relies on the outer layer being treated to make water bead up and run off as it lands on the jacket.
After a period of time that treatment becomes less effective and the outer layer of the laminate 'wets out'. Basically that thin outer layer will hold water.
now if you can imagine the membrane is now completely sealed by actual liquid water in the very outer fabric layer. As you sweat the water vapour now hits a cold layer of liquid and condenses on the inside of the jacket making you wet. Water vapour cant pass through water, it just condenses and becomes water!
Once the jacket has stopped beading water the first thing to do is wash it on its own in a washing machine with no chemicals. Tumble dry it. This should re-activate the water repellant coating.
If this doesnt work wash it again, then treat with a spray-on reproofing spray and tumble dry. We sell Revivex as it is recommended by Klim. You only treat the outer shell. This is important as if you treat the inside the wicking effect of the inner layer wont work as it will bead-up any moisture inside the jacket and not transfer it to the membrane.
Im not a real fabrics expert but having spent a lot of time using and learning about Klim garments. This is the correct procedure for them and i hope it explains a little about how Gore-Tex shell garments are supposed to work.
Like a high performance bike they need some maintenance to keep them working at the optimum level!
I dont know how the jackets with a waterproof liner are supposed to work.
