Waterproofing after washing

[ChrisJ]

So I picked up an Endura Venturi jacket last fall, it has been washed a dozen times since then. The waterproofing is about done. This mornings commute in left me cold and wet. I leave NW around 11:45 in the middle of the good stuff falling from the sky. I rewashed it in the NikWax wash it didn’t do a whole lot. I haven’t tried the spray on stuff yet. The jacket was washed once with detergent by accident :rolleyes: . I know, I know stupid. Same story with my Craft Bullet pants.

Before I plunk down money on new stuff has anyone got some tried and true waterproof wash/spray that they know works?

Thanks

Topic

[Arlingtonrider]

If you need an interim solution until someone posts a suggestion for you, the $19.99 plastic rain jacket that can be ordered from performancebike.com (Item 10-0646) might help, at least for commuting or shorter rides. I’ve been so impressed with mine, originally bought for temporary use, that I now use it as my primary rain jacket. It’s well vented all along the bottom of the sleeves and along the sides, wipes clean with a sponge, and in my experience has held up very well. I’m gentle when opening the velcro closing however, as some people have reported problems with that. I think if you open the front carefully, however, it will hold up for several years. With a high collar and a long back apron, it has kept me dry in pouring rain. I like it so much that I’m thinking of getting another in case they ever get discontinued.

[ontarioroader]

This is the only product I’ve tried that really re-waterproof Gore-Tex and other claimed waterproof/breathable fabrics:

http://www.amazon.com/Kiwi-Camp-Heavy-Water-Repellent/dp/B000HJ7CLY

I tried the whole NikWax process of wash & spray with poor results, but the Kiwi stuff did the trick and has been holding up well for the past 9 months since I did it to my older [5+ years] Cannondale rain jacket. The spray may have reduced some of the jacket’s breathability, but not much. In the end it’s a tradeoff I was willing to make.

[CCrew]

I’ve used the Kiwi stuff. Once the buzz wears off (fumes from spraying) it’s pretty good at the waterproofing part. Apply it outside tho.

[FFX_Hinterlands]

Wash with the NikWax tech wash, then was again with NikWax TX Direct Wash-in. For best results set the washer to “soak” so it has time to absorb. Alternately, you can hit it with nikwax TX Spray (do it while it’s still went from washing), but it won’t work as well as the wash-in method.
The NikWax tech was doesn’t clog the pores of waterproof breathable fabric, but doesn’t do anything to re-waterproof the jacket.

[ChrisJ]

Thanks guys I’ll give the NikWax spray a shot.

[Author]

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