Date: 28-03-24  Time: 14:21 pm

Author Topic: recommendations for waterproofing clothing  (Read 1858 times)

Robbie8666

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recommendations for waterproofing clothing
« on: 19 September 2017, 11:06:08 am »
having ridden in a heavy downpour last night along the M3 my J&S trousers have developed a leak which meant I had an uncomfortable ride from Basingstoke to Portsmouth!!

I was going to buy a can of fabsil and spray that on but before I do has anyone got any other recommendations?

Cheers
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NorthWestern

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Re: recommendations for waterproofing clothing
« Reply #1 on: 19 September 2017, 12:06:39 pm »
I wear waterproof over-trousers and an over-jacket that I get about 4 months use from in winter before they leak bad enough to replace.  I find they start leaking first at the crotch, then the front of the shoulders and elbows.  Visually they look fine, no wear or tears etc.  When new water beads off them but after a few months they do start to wet out, so although they are some sort of plastic they must also have a coating.


Rather than replace yet another set I recently tried the 2 stage Nikwax, first is a "tech wash" then the wash in treatment is done after that.  I did my latest leaky set plus my previous ones in one go and currently using the older previous set so far so good...  Rode in the heavy rain the other day and was bone dry again.  They don't wet out anymore but the water doesn't bead off quite as readily which suggests the coating isn't as good as the factory fresh one.


The pack I got was 300ml of each (£9.95 for the two bottle pack) and you only use a couple of cap fulls of each so probably good for 3 treatments.
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Simon.Pieman

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Re: recommendations for waterproofing clothing
« Reply #2 on: 19 September 2017, 12:26:39 pm »
Sometimes a good couple of cycles in the washing machine with lots of detergent can restore waterproofness. When I was commuting to London in all weathers my gear got very grimy after a few weeks and they started to let in water even in mild downpours. Someone told me that goretex stops working if dirt gets in because the particles of dirt act like a wick letting water through the membrane, which makes sense I suppose. Maybe that's what the Nikwax wash is all about.
« Last Edit: 19 September 2017, 12:28:50 pm by Simon.Pieman »

celticdog

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Re: recommendations for waterproofing clothing
« Reply #3 on: 19 September 2017, 01:40:59 pm »
Eventually even the best kit will give in to the rain. PU is the best material I've tried but it does get a bit sweaty.

https://www.millets.co.uk/mens/074115-peter-storm-mens-waterproof-overtrousers-black.html
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chris.biker

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Re: recommendations for waterproofing clothing
« Reply #4 on: 19 September 2017, 04:57:44 pm »
Eventually even the best kit will give in to the rain. PU is the best material I've tried but it does get a bit sweaty.

https://www.millets.co.uk/mens/074115-peter-storm-mens-waterproof-overtrousers-black.html


I go with this approach but I wear to pairs together, they are that thin its fine to do.

Oldgit

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Re: recommendations for waterproofing clothing
« Reply #5 on: 22 September 2017, 11:11:08 am »
Just ride naked, and cover yourself in ACF50  easy peasy.

Tmation

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Re: recommendations for waterproofing clothing
« Reply #6 on: 22 September 2017, 01:43:39 pm »
Military surplus Gore-Tex is great (as long as you don't mind camo. Wear it over your leathers or other clothing so go for a bigger size


https://www.denbigharmysurplus.co.uk/collections/army-surplus-gore-tex


http://www.britishmilitarysurplus.co.uk/shop/jackets.html


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Simon.Pieman

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Re: recommendations for waterproofing clothing
« Reply #7 on: 22 September 2017, 02:36:51 pm »
Military surplus Gore-Tex is great (as long as you don't mind camo. Wear it over your leathers or other clothing so go for a bigger size


https://www.denbigharmysurplus.co.uk/collections/army-surplus-gore-tex


http://www.britishmilitarysurplus.co.uk/shop/jackets.html


etc



Good spot.

[size=78%]There's Navy ones too. I'm buying one of these for an upcoming trip through Vietnam ( wearing camo in 'Nam is bad form!) Will be expecting lots of monsoon so will be well tested.[/size]


http://www.britishmilitarysurplus.co.uk/shop/jackets/royal-navy-goretex-jacket-grade-1123353.html




Robbie8666

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Re: recommendations for waterproofing clothing
« Reply #8 on: 25 September 2017, 10:25:43 am »
Military surplus Gore-Tex is great (as long as you don't mind camo. Wear it over your leathers or other clothing so go for a bigger size


https://www.denbigharmysurplus.co.uk/collections/army-surplus-gore-tex


http://www.britishmilitarysurplus.co.uk/shop/jackets.html


etc


I have 3 sets of military Gortex, that I replaced 1 month before I left military :D  (1 set usually kept in tank bag  or top box) but sometimes it starts to rain & by the time I get to a safe spot to stop I'm already getting wet so just think stuff it!! got to say yeah all good gear
It ain't what you ride, it's who you ride with!!!