re proofing gortex trousers

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scrunge

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Hi

I have a pair of gortex trousers which have given up the waterproofing.
I am told there is a product you can use to wash them in a machine and that will re proof them ----is that true.

OR

what do i do to re waterproof them

TA
Scrunge
 
Try washing them in natural soap flakes at 40 first, then giving them a WARM, not hot, tumble dry. Usually does it unless they are well shot, in which case try the techwax solution - wash then proof with spray too, to make sure.
 
scrunge said:
Hi

I have a pair of gortex trousers which have given up the waterproofing.
I am told there is a product you can use to wash them in a machine and that will re proof them ----is that true.

OR

what do i do to re waterproof them

TA
Scrunge
Click to expand...

1) not in my experience

2) buy new ones
 
GoreTex is a barrier/membrane type waterproofing, and will give at places where the material is constantly flexed...... backs of knees, elbows, waist. Machine washing will also damage it, and once it's gone it's gone.

However, using NikWax etc. will give waterproof properties to the garment. It doesn't fix the GoreTex, but it will replace it.

HTH
 
finglonga said:
I thought Gortex was guarenteed to stay waterproof?....

From the website..

GORE-TEX® Outerwear carries our exclusive GUARANTEED TO KEEP YOU DRY® promise, and all of its superior performance characteristics are guaranteed for the useful life of the garment. When you're ready for the best, count on GORE-TEX® Outerwear to deliver.

Or is it just their outdoor/hillwalking/tracking stuff thats got the guarentee? :nenau
Click to expand...

The goretex layer will remain waterproof unless it gets torn. The problem is the outer layer of fabric, usually cordura or similar. This fabric is absorbent unless treated with something that repels water. The treatment is applied in the factory but gradually wears away. Eventually if you wear cordura trousers with an overlapping jacket the water can wick through the outer layer of the trousers and transfer into the inner lining of your jacket.

The Nikwax stuff will not repair the goretex layer. It will restore the water resistance of the outer fabric. This reduces wicking to other garments and reduces the amount of water that gets to weak spots in the goretex such as seams or crease points.
 
There is a 5-year guarantee on Gore-Tex.

It's best NOT to use the wash-in Nikwax waterproofer, 'cos it makes BOTH sides of the Gore-Tex membrane 'waterproof'. This means it blocks the little pores that do the breathing, and so it won't let the sweat out.

I have to say that I'm not very convinced by the breathability argument when the temp starts to rise. I still feel soggy inside the suit.
 
Droopy Dick said:
I have to say that I'm not very convinced by the breathability argument when the temp starts to rise. I still feel soggy inside the suit.
Click to expand...
Relative to a boil-in-the-bag, PU coated, non-breathable waterproof the difference in breathability is enormous.
 
As the others have said, Goretex is a physical barrier..if it's leaking, it's ripped/holed.

If you can't claim under a warrenty, you're screwed unless one of the Nikwax type products as mentioned can seal the outer layer, or at least stop water getting to the area of the damaged Goretex layer.

:(
 
They used to advertise Goretex mountain jackets (when Goretex was fairly new) as:

"Tested on a motorbike to 70mph - waterproof."

So, when you are travelling fast, the air pressure at the front (where the fe**in' rain is too)................ drives in the water against the body-temperature created pressure?

It's clever stuff, but I'm not totally convinced :nono

Al :D
 
Fanum said:
As the others have said, Goretex is a physical barrier..if it's leaking, it's ripped/holed.

If you can't claim under a warrenty, you're screwed unless one of the Nikwax type products as mentioned can seal the outer layer, or at least stop water getting to the area of the damaged Goretex layer.

:(
Click to expand...


Not always - it needs to be cleanish to work. If it's sodden with crap, it will wet through with capilary action. Cleaning it can solve this, combined with a warm tumbledry (or warm iron, if you can't tumble) to restore the structure of the fabric.

I'm old - I was in on the original trials of gore-tex. Still got stuff 15+ years old, still works fine - you just have to look after it.

If you get cracked /ripped bits (and you can get to it) - put a gore-tex patch on it (iron on with a warm iron).

Most (all?) motorcycle kit is gore-tex sandwich - the GT is in the middle, thus it's not being exposed to the full force of the weather and full hydrostatic head pressure - that's soaked up by the outside layer, so it works fine.

Re. breathability. A wolly pully is very breathable, but you will still sweat if you run in one. GT is the same - it's not magic. That's why you should wear a wicking base layer under it to keep you dry.
 
gortex

So mixed views...so what are the best trousers for wearing in the rain, I have my leathers and what would y'all sugget i wear over them..

Scrunge
 
I find the best way is to wash the item in Nikwax Tech Wash and then use the TX Direct spray to revive the outer material's water repellancy.

The theory is that the wash removes small particles of dirt from the goretex which will give back it's breathability and I assume help with the waterproofing.

The TX Direct spray is used on the wet garment straight out of the washing machine and is impressive stuff. My hands and the cloth I used to dab off the excess both became extremely water repellant so much so that the next day when I went to use the cloth water beaded and ran off and I really struggled to get it wet even held under the tap :thumb Kitchen floor was a bit of an ice rink for a while though so be careful where you use it.

As for results... err, haven't had a chance to get soaked yet so can't tell.

Adam :)
 
scrunge said:
So mixed views...so what are the best trousers for wearing in the rain, I have my leathers and what would y'all sugget i wear over them..

Scrunge
Click to expand...

Cheap cheerful and effective - army surplus ones - they are hardy, have big leg zips to get them on over yer boots, and velcro bottoms to stop them flapping about once they are on. And come in big sizes to go over easily. Used mine for ages and not leaked yet.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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