Rukka Armas suit washing NikWax ?

YellowRS

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Hi Chaps,

Ok its time to wash and re-proof my 5 year old Rukka Armas suit for the first time, so I've bought my Nikwax "Techwash" and Nikwax "TX Direct" wash in waterproofer.

Please can I ask a couple of simple questions from your experience specific to the Armas suit !

I've firstly now removed the liners and armour from the suit

So is there any easy step by step guide, I can follow that includes:-

a/ What temperature in the washing machine and for how long ? and how much Tech wash ?

b/ Do I dry the suit before washing in TX Direct ? if so how ? tumble dryer ?

c/ How best to wash the liners ?

Sorry if been asked before but needed info specifically for Armas suit cause it cost me a few bob and I don't want to knacker it up :eek:
 
I've washed my BMW Rallye suit a couple of times with the same stuff. I simply followed the NikWax instructions.
When I wash it again I'll wash with normal washing powder first. The NikWax Tech Wash stuff doesn't seem to get it clean but rather wash out impurities to help with the next step.
 
According to Rukka...Rukka ARMAS jackets and trousers are machine washable. Machine wash on fine wash programme at 30-40°C with normal fine washing powder without soft rinse agent. Rinse thoroughly. Put only one jacket at a time in the machine. Remove protectors before washing. Iron at low temperature (no. 1 setting), but not the reflective areas. Do not dry clean,tumble dry at low temperature (max 55°C) one item at time (This also restores the outer water repellency).
 
I would use the tech wash and then the spray on proofer rather than the wash in version. Better coverage for areas that are likely to leak like the forearms and shoulders
 
vRSG60 said:
When I wash it again I'll wash with normal washing powder first. The NikWax Tech Wash stuff doesn't seem to get it clean but rather wash out impurities to help with the next step.
Click to expand...

That's the worst thing you can do with any membrane-based gear. Never use a detergent!

 
Clean out the soap powder tray and put your jacket in with two capfuls of tech wash on a delicates cycle at 30 degrees.

Repeat this with the tx direct proofer and then use a cool tumble dryer to improve the durable water repellency.

I've done this once per year with my rukka gear and its fine.

Bear in mind you sre also applying the proofer to the inside of the jacket although I'm not quite sure this has any adverse effect. I don't notice inner condensation for example.
 
ShakeyBMW said:
Clean out the soap powder tray and put your jacket in with two capfuls of tech wash on a delicates cycle at 30 degrees.

Repeat this with the tx direct proofer and then use a cool tumble dryer to improve the durable water repellency.

I've done this once per year with my rukka gear and its fine.

Bear in mind you sre also applying the proofer to the inside of the jacket although I'm not quite sure this has any adverse effect. I don't notice inner condensation for example.
Click to expand...

+1 Done the above a few times and have tried both the spray on and wash in versions of TX-Direct afterwards and both work just fine. You can get both jacket and trousers into normal load, just set your spin speed down a bit.
Finishing off with a warm tumble dry is supposed to be good for the gortex so do that if you can.

All pretty simples :thumb2
 
I washed my Armas a couple of weeks ago with Nikwax - came up looking like new.

Follow the Rukka instructions on the wash label for to temp and cycle.
Follow the Nikwax instructions for amount of liquid to use.

Leave to dry naturally outside (I used coat hangers and hung them on the washing line).

Didn't use re-proofing treatments (it's a GoreTex laminate suit - so why would you need to treat it with something else).

Wash the linings separately following the wash labels inside them.
 
I've had my ArmaS for six years now covering about 12k miles a year so I wash it about 2 to 3 times a year. I normally wash it first with normal washing detergent and then the Nikwax tech wash. I do follow up with another wash cycle with the Nikwax proofer as Tranam do recommend a proofer to reduce water soak up into the external fabric face. Alternatively you can use the spray on proofer that Tranam recommend. My jackets been great, looking worn now though, but too hot in +24c
 
Didn't use re-proofing treatments (it's a GoreTex laminate suit - so why would you need to treat it with something else).
Click to expand...

All membrane kit has a DWR from new which repels water on the outside, thats what the proofing fluid replaces and is whats activated with tumble drying.

If kit is really filthy, I wash it in normal washing liquid to get the crap out then in Nikwax to get the chemicals form the previous wash out.
 
The worst thing for Goretex is fabric softener. As it can clog the pores and stop the Gortex from working as it should.

I always put the machine on it's cycle with nothing in it to clean the machine first.

Good luck.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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