old jacket - waterproofing or what

[walkon40]

I have to decide whether to throw my "old" HG jacket (2 1/2 years old/about 40k miles) or to invest in a new one. It's leaking at the elbows ... but apart from that it's fine.

Any views on how to rescue it for one last winter? And if not ... anyone either selling a good jacket at reasonable price (below £150/size XL)) or what I should go for when looking for something new (I commute throughout the year, so waterproof is a must).

thanks

Martin

 

[snoopy]

Chances are the seams there have gone so it's time to bin. If it's Goretex you have to be mighty careful with the stuff for it to last.

 

[Ogmios]

i did hear somewhere that you can maybe, perhaps wash it and by adding fabric conditioner it might bring back the waterproofing?
but then, someone that actually knows what they're talking about will be along in a minute to clarify this
~~
Og.
almost helpful

 

[Stujw70]

HG jacket

You could try Nikwax (Tech wash) followed by the Nikwax waterproofing (TX direct spray) agent.

www.nikwax.com

I have used this on my HG kit for the last 3 years and approx 60k, still bone dry. But as mentioned before if the seams have or are failing it is probably stuffed.

Stu

 

[StooL]

If it's a breathable fabric you can try the Grangers wash in reproofing stuff, available from any outdoor type retailer. You then need to stick it in the tumble drier to allow the heat to activate the waterproofing stuff. I personally believe that the wash in stuff works better than the spray on stuff but of course you need access to a tumble drier.

I've used this stuff numerous times on my Goretex and Dainese D-tech jackets. To be honest it's no longer worth the effort on the Dainese one as a heavy shower gets through (especially at the front of the elbows where the fabric is creased while riding). The goretex one (made by Yoko) is still completely waterproof but the real benefit of reproofing is to make the rain to bead off the fabric and therefore allow it to breathe.

The fabric softener test came from a walking or outdoor magazine I think. It showed that it was effective at making rain bead off the fabric but I think it was also detrimental to the breathability. Not recommended.

 

[DavidHale]

i did hear somewhere that you can maybe, perhaps wash it and by adding fabric conditioner it might bring back the waterproofing?
but then, someone that actually knows what they're talking about will be along in a minute to clarify this
~~
Og.
almost helpful

Unfortunately adding fabric conditioner will destroy any breathability in the jacket.

To reproof a Goretex or similar jacket you first need to run your washing machine for 2 full cycles without any powder or conditioner to make sure it is clean. Then wash in Nicwax Tech Wash, spray with Nicwax TX spray then tumble dry. I've got a Berghaus jacket that's 15 years old; treated it as above and it's fine.

 

[Droopy Dick]

Before lashing out on a new jacket it's got to be worth washing the thing in the Nikwax Techwash stuff, then putting it through the reproofing wash, and follow that by TX spray on the outisde when you hang it up to dry.

I know that HG can be very 'flexible' on the price of the Nikwax stuff, so you'll be sure to geta deal if you buy all three components.

 

[GEOFFREY DEACON]

Is`nt all H/G gortex garranteed w/proof for five years??, change it.

 

[walkon40]

sooooo, may give it a last try with the Nikwax stuff and then start looking for something new ... any suggestions below £150?

Martin

 

[Gipsy]

Use the Nikwax stuff. Just washed and then proofed my Aerostitch suit and it came up a treat. The water beads on the surface just like a non stick frying pan.

 

[Wizard]

Try the NikWax, it is good stuff.

Don't ever machine wash GoreTex or similar waterproofing (HG ShellTex for example). These types of proofing rely on a membrane that gets damaged by constant rubbing in a machine. The flip side of that it that the waterproof membrane is usually in the liner, so you can machine wash the outer, which is where most of the crud is anyway.