I bought some pretty good waterproofs, teflon and all that, ran the arm under the tap  to see just how good they were, worked well,water just ran off. like water of a ducks back. after a couple of rounds got dirty so the missus washes them. NOW NOTHING ON THE LABEL SAID ABOUT, DO NOT WASH WITH DETERGENT WASHING POWDER, WHY BECAUSE IT CORRODES THE VERY THING THAT MAKES THE JACKET WATERPROOF, HENCE i GOT A BATH DOING 18 HOLES, CHECKED A FEW OTHER LABELS ALSO THE CASE, SO BE CAREFUL NOT TO WASH YOUR WATERPROOFS WITH DETERGENT WASHING POWDER.

Blacks the out door store does sell the very thing that does not ruin your waterproofs, hope this helps anyone

Wingnut,

sorry about your littel experience but the waterproofness is easily recovered using Nikwax.

I redo my waterproofs every autumn (did them all yesterday). It is usually best to handwash them because ANY detergent left in the soap draw or pipework of the washing machine is enough to strip the magic from the waterproofs.

Even the expensive goretex products need to be re Nikwax'd every couple of years.

Nikwax Tech Wash to wash, and Nikwax TX Direct to reproof. Clean and wash out your washing soap dispenser, then wash garment with Tech wash (put TW in the drum along with the garment), and do a gentle/mixed fabric wash. Then having gone through the program, I put in TX Direct into the drum and reselect the same wash, and remove to dry after.

You will get excellent results as long as you wash your soap drawer out before this process. Normal detergents and conditioners have wetting agents to allow the detergent and water to penetrate the dirty garments....not what you want in a waterproof. I always wash my Sunderland Goretex jacket this was and it still is perfect and waterproof.

Wingnut

I but mine from "snow and rock". However they sell it on fleabay for a similar price.

Instructions are on the packet, I choose to hand wash the garments myself. It is quicker and you know there is no detergent hanging around, which there may be in the washign machine.

 ~Did my jacket the other day and got to try it out today and it was like new.

Thanks again all will not now through out me waterproofs LOL can get me 3 wood instead now LOL

cheers Wingnut

Along with washing out the soap drawer, I also do a rinse cycle on the machine with no clothes in to give it a final rinse before cleaning with the Nikwax. 

Just got mine on the run now to get ready before the winter. 

My north face smock had lost it's waterproofness.

I re nikwax'd a couple of days ago and tested it out yesterday (oh the wonderful british weather).

Worked like new, rain beading up and falling off the jacket like it should.

I still want the Galvin Green top of course, but at least now I don't need it. I'll have to wait for Santa Clause I suppose.

hi guys  

Just a quick note about the Nikwax tx direct waterproofing stuff - if you do it in a handwash, make sure you wear gloves. If you don't you end up waterproofing your own hands in some complicated long polymer chain stuff that is decidedly weird.

Washes off OK after a good scrub, but probably best to be avoided.

d

pendodave wrote (see)

Just a quick note about the Nikwax tx direct waterproofing stuff - if you do it in a handwash, make sure you wear gloves. If you don't you end up waterproofing your own hands in some complicated long polymer chain stuff that is decidedly weird.

Washes off OK after a good scrub, but probably best to be avoided.

d