Reproofing your waterproofs?

[Taipan]

Time was NikWax was the only contender for this, but then I recall hearing tales of using Fabsil, the caravan awning wateproofing stuff, instead. Was that even true? Anyway, my waterpoofs need doing, so what is the recommendation today?

[Count Steer]

Time was NikWax was the only contender for this, but then I recall hearing tales of using Fabsil, the caravan awning wateproofing stuff, instead. Was that even true? Anyway, my waterpoofs need doing, so what is the recommendation today?

I don't think that Nikwax actually 'reproofs' it just improves the water shedding properties so the outer doesn't wet out so fast. It works with breathable membranes like Goretex. Not sure that treatments for awnings will maintain the breathability but there's a range of Fabsil products and I'm sure there'll be one for breathable stuff.

(Having been tromping about on the hills in the rain today I realise I need to Nikwax Techwash and treat my jacket and trousers.... and my boots...)

Edit: yup Fabsil Universal Protector can be used on Goretex. I think it's a spray-on rather than a wash-in though? Washing is a good start though - and I use Nikwax Techwash.

[MrLongbeard]

Nikwax for clothing, Fabsil for tents, them's the rules in this house.
I have used Fabsil on winter gloves, and it works, no idea what havoc it might wreak to goretex etc.

[Count Steer]

Nikwax for clothing, Fabsil for tents, them's the rules in this house.
I have used Fabsil on winter gloves, and it works, no idea what havoc it might wreak to goretex etc.

Apparently the spray on Universal Protector is OK...but I'll stick with the Nikwax combo for my kit. (I like the company too...they own Paramo as well as the Nikwax products).

[gremlin]

Nikwax for clothing, Fabsil for tents, them's the rules in this house.
I have used Fabsil on winter gloves, and it works, no idea what havoc it might wreak to goretex etc.

Apparently the spray on Universal Protector is OK...but I'll stick with the Nikwax combo for my kit. (I like the company too...they own Paramo as well as the Nikwax products).

Same, but whilst still damp, spray on Nik Wax.

After 15+ years the HG Master V Lockout is still going strong and keeping me dry 99% of the time.

[Count Steer]

Nikwax for clothing, Fabsil for tents, them's the rules in this house.
I have used Fabsil on winter gloves, and it works, no idea what havoc it might wreak to goretex etc.

Apparently the spray on Universal Protector is OK...but I'll stick with the Nikwax combo for my kit. (I like the company too...they own Paramo as well as the Nikwax products).

Same, but whilst still damp, spray on Nik Wax.

After 15+ years the HG Master V Lockout is still going strong and keeping me dry 99% of the time.

Haven't tried the Nikwax TX spray on (unless it's the same thing for fabric hiking boots) but have used the wash-in variety routinely.

As an aside I see Fabsil do seam sealant. As they're usually the things that actually leak it may be worth a shot if people are trying to conserve their favourite bit of kit - never tried it personally. I imagine it's one of those things that, once you start, become an annual job before the monsoon season starts.

[gremlin]

I imagine it's one of those things that, once you start, become an annual job before the monsoon season starts.

Yeah. I was trying to remember if I did it this year. I suspect not. Getting the buggers stripped out, washed, dried and treated and put back together in the autumnal weather is a bit of a ballache. I'll have to try and do it when WFH on a Friday and annoy Mrs. G by hanging it all out in the kitchen.

[Horse]

Would the Fabric type spray prevent (or reduce) outer fabric of non-laminated gear from wetting out?

[Yorick]

[gremlin]

Would the Fabric type spray prevent (or reduce) outer fabric of non-laminated gear from wetting out?

IME, yes.


I also ensure that come 1 October I rub myself in a layer of lard, in the style of an early cross-Channel swimmer, which I don't wash off until 1 March.

[Count Steer]

Would the Fabric type spray prevent (or reduce) outer fabric of non-laminated gear from wetting out?

Yes. The Nikwax TX spray stuff is the same as the wash-in. (Although the tumble drying of the wash-in may make a + difference over simply spraying and hanging to dry). I recommend using the Techwash first - if an item is washable - one of the main reasons for wetting out is the accumulation of crud. Sometimes just, gently, washing a piece of kit makes a big difference to the water shedding properties.

However, the main benefit of not wetting out is breathability/reduced 'clammyness'/condensation*. The stuff doesn't actually waterproof the fabric but you can even treat stuff like Rohan (synthetic fabric) trousers to make them a tad water resistant for a bit longer.

* After clambering up hill and down dale in the rain today the inside of my jacket had damp patches from condensation which is as good an indicator as any it's time for the treatment. It was fine as long as I didn't cool down!

[Count Steer]

Would the Fabric type spray prevent (or reduce) outer fabric of non-laminated gear from wetting out?

IME, yes.


I also ensure that come 1 October I rub myself in a layer of lard, in the style of an early cross-Channel swimmer, which I don't wash off until 1 March.

Helps if you sew yourself into your liberty bodice or combinations once you've applied the lard.

[Ian]

On old style jackets with a seperate membrane I had reasonable success absolutely dousing the outer cordura layer in fabsil and even better Thompson's waterseal the stuff you spray on bricks
But it's all a bit shit compared to decent laminated gear, a modern jacket just works better