DIY Jacket Repair

[Kiwi_Mike]

I've managed to rip a 2cm tear in the outer fabric on the arm of my HG Gore-Tex jacket by catching it something (I suspect the buckle on my backpack) and want to find a DIY solution to save having to post it away to be repaired.

I've spotted some Gore-Tex repair patches on Amazon for less than a tenner which seem to have good reviews but I was wondering if anyone had any first-hand experience of repairing a tear in a jacket? Any useful tips?

I'm not too concerned about retaining the waterproof properties as its in the lower part of the arm and on the odd occasion that I ride in heavy rain I wear a rain jacket over top.

Thanks

 

[JJH]

I've used the patches without success. Maby for what u need a patch will do. But so would duck tape. JJH

 

[gerarddwatts]

Try looking at wader repair stuff...

https://www.anglingactive.co.uk/sim...5bbGIfyY_PaKjDvJgUstUduotHBw8emuA4aApgd8P8HAQ

http://www.amazon.co.uk/McNett-Aqua...tuccu0c-21&ascsubtag=56685acb48308f04fc94e73f

 

[Wapping]

Take it to any dry-cleaners with an onsite garment repair bod, usually a fellow from a warm country who is nifty with the pinking shears.

They'll repair it for a few quid.

 

[Kiwi_Mike]

Thanks of the advice. I took a closer look today and it is actually a burn (and is more like 5cm rather than 2) - must have happened when I was looking under the bike for the source of an oil leak recently (front shock blew). I like the idea of getting someone from a warm country to have a go at it, I'm not sure a patch will work.

 

[Andy B]

HG Goretex jackets are normally a pretty good bit of kit. They are also now collectors items!

Are you sure you wouldn't want to justify the cost of sending it to somewhere like Lancashire Sports Repairs (HG's own repairer of choice) and getting a pukka job?

 

[Kevin1626]

+1 for Lancashire Sports Repairs. They fixed a rip in an old Rukka jacket for me, replaced a damaged closure popper and replaced worn Velcro. Great job. Cant remember costs, but I thought it was good value at the time for such a good job.

 

[Cheeseman]

I've used the repair patches on my Roadcrafter suit. It initially stuck well, but after a bit of use and many washes the edges started to lift. I stuck them back down with 'Copydex' and eight years later it's still there.

 

[kwallace21]

LSR is the place to send it to for s permanent repair. Don't let anyone near it with a sewing needle or its knackered. Gore repair tape is pretty sticky and can stay on for a while. Cotswolds outdoor sell it.

 

[Kiwi_Mike]

Take it to any dry-cleaners with an onsite garment repair bod, usually a fellow from a warm country who is nifty with the pinking shears.

They'll repair it for a few quid.

Thanks for all the advice.

So I tried three local dry-cleaners. The first two - although being from warm countries - were not able to offer a repair but the third one, whom I would say comes from a country out East which is probably colder than the UK did a very nice job with a leather patch being careful not to touch the inner gor-tex lining (I think they had to un-pick some stitching to get to the back of the outer shell). Cost was £28 and I'm very happy with it.

Now I need to bite the bullet and wash the jacket as after 4 years of London commuting the hi-viz section is far from easily visible under all the road grime. I'm reluctant to trust the washing machine with it, maybe a long soak in the bath with some kind of mild detergent? The gor-tex liner is not removable unfortunately.

 

[Reggie P]

Lancashire Sports Repairs Ltd.
19 Athletic Street,
Burnley, Lancs.
BB10 4LP

Fantastic value/quality

 

[Kritou]

Thanks for all the advice.

So I tried three local dry-cleaners. The first two - although being from warm countries - were not able to offer a repair but the third one, whom I would say comes from a country out East which is probably colder than the UK did a very nice job with a leather patch being careful not to touch the inner gor-tex lining (I think they had to un-pick some stitching to get to the back of the outer shell). Cost was £28 and I'm very happy with it.

Now I need to bite the bullet and wash the jacket as after 4 years of London commuting the hi-viz section is far from easily visible under all the road grime. I'm reluctant to trust the washing machine with it, maybe a long soak in the bath with some kind of mild detergent? The gor-tex liner is not removable unfortunately.

To ensure that the Gortex liner continues to be permeable to water vapour I would use soap flakes rather than a detergent

 

[Wapping]

The washing machine will be fine, trust me.

Follow the instructions in the garment and / or as might be available on the HG site. Failing that......

Established wisdom says:

(1) Run the machine through empty at it hottest setting to remove all / most of the accumulated soapy crud.

(2) Wash at say 40c with a suitable detergent. I use Nicwax's products, with good results. Others use (and swear by) other soaps and for all I know Cuckoo spit.

(3) Do not use fabric softener

(4) Hang to dry in a warm airy room

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-210405.html

 

[Kiwi_Mike]

Thanks Richard. I used Nixwax tech cleaner and did as per your recommendation above (apart from running the machine empty first - I didn't think of that).

The results were Mixed. I now know the jacket is clean and fresher than it was and it seems to have retained its waterproofness but due to the hi-vis panels still being rather black from stubborn road grime the jacket doesn't really look like it has been cleaned.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Wapping]

Scrub by hand and repeat, if necessary. You can't break it.

Treat with Nicwax (or similar) re-proofing spray / wash if and as required.

 

[Andy B]

I have used these guys very successfully for both leather and textile in the past. They really get it clean!

Not being the owner of a jacket with hi vis panels I've never been able to test this, but if when new you sprayed the panels with Scotchguard or similar I would have thought that would make cleaning easier and more effective? I have done this on pale grey areas of a textile jacket and its worked like a treat.