Success rate from re-waterproofing

supermurph09

I've got a Castelli Gabba LS jacket that a while ago gave up it's ability to keep the water out, in fact it now appears to pull water out of the sky and add about 5 kg to my weight if I ride in the rain, not ideal.

Given the jacket is in mint condition apart from that I was thinking of giving it a treatment to add back in the waterproofing. Have people had success with this on Gabba's or other garments. What do you recommend?

bondurant

Nikwax spray worked for me. Though 'waterproof' will never be achieved; the most you'll get to is water-resistant i.e. beading of water up to a point, then it will soak in.

supermurph09

Bondurant wrote:

Nikwax spray worked for me. Though 'waterproof' will never be achieved; the most you'll get to is water-resistant i.e. beading of water up to a point, then it will soak in.

OK, good to know.

sniper68

The DWR(Durable Water Repellent) coating will have worn off.This also restricts breathability so you get wet from the inside.
Nikwax or Grangers will sort it.Some Jackets require heat to replenish it(Tumble dryer or Iron).My Berghaus requires Ironing after reproofing for instance.The more the jacket is used the quicker the DWR will fail.Berghaus recommend reproof after 30 hours use!
I re-proof once a year but also just wet the jacket and Iron 2 or 3 times and this works.

trek_dan

If you read the care instruction you are supposed to wash it with Nikwax Tecwash every 3rd wash to keep it water repellent. Same with all the Castelli windstopper and softshell fabric. Theres some pretty detailed instructions on the Saddleback site.

supermurph09

trek_dan wrote:

If you read the care instruction you are supposed to wash it with Nikwax Tecwash every 3rd wash to keep it water repellent. Same with all the Castelli windstopper and softshell fabric. Theres some pretty detailed instructions on the Saddleback site.

Never knew that, to be honest it wouldn't be something I'd have every thought of looking at. I always wash on low temps with non-bio but that's it. Duly noted for future purchases.

david7m

Haven't used on clothes, but Fabsil has been great on gazebo and seat bag.
Dave

stueys

Use grangers performance wash to wash anything with dwp treatment. It stops it wearing off. Then use grangers reproofing spray on the outside to add dwp layers back on, it works well