Gore softshell cleaning?

AndyF16

I managed to get 'road gunk' (without scientific analysis i reckon it's diesel, dirty water and brake dust mixed together) in a few small patches on the front of my lemon coloured Gore Phantom II which hasn't come out totally using NikWax TechWash At least I'm glad I didn't get a white one to match the bike :roll:

We can all read the care label, but from "real life" experience, can anyone say whether you can safely use the likes of Vanish Laundry Spray on heavily soiled patches before washing such garments, and also whether anyone has had one drycleaned (not using trichloroethylene) please?

morstar

You can't dry clean gore tex.

You don't physically damage the garment if you use detergents rather than soaps but what you do is strip away the DWR coating (stuff that makes water bead up and roll off). The residue of detergent also makes the re-application of DWR less successful, hence why you use soaps like tech wash

Having not been selling this stuff for 7 years now I can't remember all the ins and outs but I reckon if you contact Nik wax direct they will be very helpful.

brettjmcc

Also try Grangers. I used to use Nikwax, but have now switched to them. Mountain equipment etc recommend them.

For tough stains, I apply a small amount of the 30 cleaner directly to the stain. Mostly though, as things aren't that dirty I personally like their 2 in 1 they brought out the other year, as you only have to do one cycle for clear and re-proof.

MichaelW

A hand cleanser such as swarfega will strip dirt and PWR coating. Wash in soap and reapply beading treatment with Nikwax wash-in or similar.
Then fit some mudguards.

rdt

brettjmcc wrote:

Also try Grangers. I used to use Nikwax, but have now switched to them. Mountain equipment etc recommend them.

For tough stains, I apply a small amount of the 30 cleaner directly to the stain. Mostly though, as things aren't that dirty I personally like their 2 in 1 they brought out the other year, as you only have to do one cycle for clear and re-proof.

Gore Windstopper softshells such as the OPs shouldn't be re-proofed with wash-in products. You're supposed to use 'topical', i.e. spray on re-proofers, since wash-in products will interfere with the wicking ability of the jacket's lining.

AndyF16

MichaelW wrote:

Then fit some mudguards.

i should have said it's a smudge from the crud on the bike via my hands, probably while dropping the front wheel off to fit bike into car boot yesterday

thanks for the replies so far, i had already washed in nikwax tech wash and then used their wash in softshell proofer, so we'll have to see how it's affected the water resistance :oops: