Have I ruined my Gabba...

LWLondon
LWLondon Posts: 55
edited February 2018 in Road general
Random question, I’m hoping someone may be able to help! Basically I’m not sure if i’ve ruined my gabba (wrong wash, that may have contained fabric conditioner, but also may not have!), and don’t have a “norm” to compare against.

After seeing a video online (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6EXxtnTOnqA) my understanding was the gabba should be fully waterproof.

So I tried to test by replicating, putting 200ml in a glass, covering the glass with the jersy then tuning upside down. No drips came through after 30-60secs, a lot of water stayed in the glass, but the jersey definitely soaked up a bit (the inside of the jersey got dark and I could feel it a bit wet)

Does anyone know if this is normal or should it be more like the video and bone dry?

Comments

  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    How old is it? The DWR wears off, eventually it's a fairly water proof fabric but fabric it is. It shouldn't get wet inside, but like all things, eventually they fade.
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  • jasonbrim
    jasonbrim Posts: 105
    Regarding waterproofing, the membrane would only really be affected if you had it at a higher heat than recommended. Softener/conditioner typically only worsens breathability.

    The Gabba has a DWR finish on it as well. How did you dry it? They need heat to help fix (for lack of a better word) the finish. You can also re-impregnate the jacket with a new DWR finish - that should help with the water resistance at least.
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  • Matthewfalle
    Matthewfalle Posts: 17,380
    Could you spray it with Nikwax or simlar?
    Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am

    De Sisti wrote:
    This is one of the silliest threads I've come across. :lol:

    Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honour :D
    smithy21 wrote:

    He's right you know.
  • LWLondon
    LWLondon Posts: 55
    bendertherobot wrote:
    How old is it? The DWR wears off, eventually it's a fairly water proof fabric but fabric it is. It shouldn't get wet inside, but like all things, eventually they fade.

    Brand new, first time washing!

    I've ordered some Nikwaxx wash and reproofing just in case it got some fabric softener on it, see what I can do I guess
  • Matthewfalle
    Matthewfalle Posts: 17,380
    LWLondon wrote:
    bendertherobot wrote:
    How old is it? The DWR wears off, eventually it's a fairly water proof fabric but fabric it is. It shouldn't get wet inside, but like all things, eventually they fade.

    Brand new, first time washing!

    I've ordered some Nikwaxx wash and reproofing just in case it got some fabric softener on it, see what I can do I guess

    Keep us updated - my perfecto could do with lovin' so be intrigued to see how the Nikwaxx works on the Gabba.
    Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am

    De Sisti wrote:
    This is one of the silliest threads I've come across. :lol:

    Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honour :D
    smithy21 wrote:

    He's right you know.
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    LWLondon wrote:
    bendertherobot wrote:
    How old is it? The DWR wears off, eventually it's a fairly water proof fabric but fabric it is. It shouldn't get wet inside, but like all things, eventually they fade.

    Brand new, first time washing!

    I've ordered some Nikwaxx wash and reproofing just in case it got some fabric softener on it, see what I can do I guess

    In theory the Gore X Lite is waterproof. The water resistant claim comes from the fact that there are seams and water will always find a way. Also, if water is trying to settle outside, water trying to get out from inside has a harder time. So, in theory it shouldn't be damp inside. But bits can start to get in in practice. It could be coming from the fabric. It also could be water vapour condensing from the other side and not being able to get out.

    The DWR can't be properly tested in the glass barrier technique. Stick an arm under the shower for a few minutes, see what happens.
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  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    Incidentally, there are two ways to fix a Gabba or a Gabba type jersey.

    The first is to rejuventate it. A cool 20 minute tumble dry or a warm ish iron with a a tea towel in between. That reactivates the DWR.

    When the DWR goes altogether, then bring on the Nikkwax
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  • Paul 8v
    Paul 8v Posts: 5,458
    To be honest, mine hasn't been waterproof for ages, which is disappointing, it's never been washed in fabric conditioner either. It stopped being waterproof after the first wash.

    The care instructions are very contradictory, it says "Don;t tumble dry" but then it also says tumble drying can help re-activate the waterproofing.

    I've tried the nikwax spray and all it did was make it smell weird, still not waterproof.

    I'm glad I'm not the only one having issues with this!
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  • Paul 8v
    Paul 8v Posts: 5,458
    Oh, and the nikwax spray says to spray on whilst it's wet, the gabba instructions say do it when it's dry...
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  • LWLondon
    LWLondon Posts: 55
    Paul 8v wrote:
    Oh, and the nikwax spray says to spray on whilst it's wet, the gabba instructions say do it when it's dry...

    Argh, really.

    Hmmmmm, any of the more experienced like to comment/advise?
  • fenix
    fenix Posts: 5,437
    I'm pretty sure my waterproofing on my Gabba lasted less than one ride. I found it pretty poor and sold it after that. It definitely soaked through.
  • stueys
    stueys Posts: 1,332
    LWLondon wrote:
    Paul 8v wrote:
    Oh, and the nikwax spray says to spray on whilst it's wet, the gabba instructions say do it when it's dry...

    Argh, really.

    Hmmmmm, any of the more experienced like to comment/advise?

    Wash and spin, spray on whilst damp, tumble dry on a LOW heat but take it out before it gets hot/dry
  • Alex99
    Alex99 Posts: 1,407
    Treating with Nikwax TX wash in definitely makes rain bead up on the surface again. The DWR didn't seem to last long on mine, despite washing only with liquid soap. If it's been washed with conditioner, I would wash it again without conditioner, then with liquid soap, then Nikwax it. You use the Nikwax TX wash in on a wet garment BTW.
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,345
    From an earlier thread-

    I finally got an answer from Saddleback, The Castelli distributer.

    "Machine wash your garment as described in the wash instructions. Line dry your garment, or tumble dry it on a warm, gentle cycle.
    Once it is dry, tumble dry your garment for 20 minutes to reactivate the durable water-repellent (DWR) treatment on the outer fabric.

    If unable to tumble dry, iron the dry garment on gentle setting (warm, no steam) by placing a towel or cloth between the garment and the iron. This will help reactivate the DWR treatment on your garment's outer fabric.
    When the factory applied treatment can no longer be reactivated, apply a new water-repellent treatment available as a pump-spray or wash-in product to the garment's outer fabric.

    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gra ... l-ec011891

    Or Nikwax is just as good."
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,345
    PBlakeney wrote:
    From an earlier thread-

    I finally got an answer from Saddleback, The Castelli distributer.

    "Machine wash your garment as described in the wash instructions. Line dry your garment, or tumble dry it on a warm, gentle cycle.
    Once it is dry, tumble dry your garment for 20 minutes to reactivate the durable water-repellent (DWR) treatment on the outer fabric.

    If unable to tumble dry, iron the dry garment on gentle setting (warm, no steam) by placing a towel or cloth between the garment and the iron. This will help reactivate the DWR treatment on your garment's outer fabric.
    When the factory applied treatment can no longer be reactivated, apply a new water-repellent treatment available as a pump-spray or wash-in product to the garment's outer fabric.

    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gra ... l-ec011891

    Or Nikwax is just as good."

    No DWR jacket I have ever had is ever returned to it's original condition by reapplication of DWR. :(
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • stueys
    stueys Posts: 1,332
    PBlakeney wrote:
    PBlakeney wrote:
    From an earlier thread-


    No DWR jacket I have ever had is ever returned to it's original condition by reapplication of DWR. :(

    You aren’t doing it quite right then. The effectiveness reduced a few years back when it was made more environmentally friendly but using a decent spray and applying heat should bring it back. I use grangers and have found it pretty good on my gore tex stuff.
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,345
    Stueys wrote:
    PBlakeney wrote:
    PBlakeney wrote:
    From an earlier thread-


    No DWR jacket I have ever had is ever returned to it's original condition by reapplication of DWR. :(

    You aren’t doing it quite right then. The effectiveness reduced a few years back when it was made more environmentally friendly but using a decent spray and applying heat should bring it back. I use grangers and have found it pretty good on my gore tex stuff.
    Follow instructions. Go for a ride in the rain. Come home damp and disappointed. Come to a conclusion.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • paulbnix
    paulbnix Posts: 632
    Does this sort of treatment also apply to an Alpha jersey?
  • stueys
    stueys Posts: 1,332
    PBlakeney wrote:
    Stueys wrote:
    PBlakeney wrote:
    PBlakeney wrote:
    From an earlier thread-


    No DWR jacket I have ever had is ever returned to it's original condition by reapplication of DWR. :(

    You aren’t doing it quite right then. The effectiveness reduced a few years back when it was made more environmentally friendly but using a decent spray and applying heat should bring it back. I use grangers and have found it pretty good on my gore tex stuff.
    Follow instructions. Go for a ride in the rain. Come home damp and disappointed. Come to a conclusion.

    There is nothing worse than damp and disappointed I grant you
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,345
    Stueys wrote:
    There is nothing worse than damp and disappointed I grant you
    Dunno. I snapped my Achilles Tendon in early August and haven't been out on my road bike since.
    There is worse...
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • stueys
    stueys Posts: 1,332
    PBlakeney wrote:
    Stueys wrote:
    There is nothing worse than damp and disappointed I grant you
    Dunno. I snapped my Achilles Tendon in early August and haven't been out on my road bike since.
    There is worse...

    Sorry to hear, a friend who did the same told me it hurt like **** as well. Heal well
  • mamil314
    mamil314 Posts: 1,103
    Gabba was not made to keep people dry, it was made to keep top athletes going at full pelt warm for a few hours. It performs this function well. If it keeps light drizzle completely away, that's a nice bonus/side effect. If you are looking for waterproof, you should be going for Tempesta jacket or similar.

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