Gortex Treatment?

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bear74
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Gortex Treatment?

#1 Post by bear74 » Thu Mar 01, 2007 11:49 pm

gday all,
anyone out there got gortex jackets/suits as I need to know which product is the best to re-proof (water proof) a gortex garment I have had for a while. I tried a spray on type which you then throw in a hot drier to seal it but it dosn't seem as effective as the original waterproofing that the garment was treated with :? in that I mean it soaks in and doesn't bead water like it used too :?

BEAR
IF IT'S FERAL, IT'S IN PERIL!
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jape

#2 Post by jape » Fri Mar 02, 2007 12:16 pm

Gortex works because of what it is and how it is woven rather than because of a finish, so unless you have hot washed it in detergents and so on, a couple of good thorough rinses and an air dry should bring the fabric back into waterproof condition.
Silicone spray might just assist a ruined garment but will clog a good garment. Ask the manufacturers, it is ages since I had all that gear but I think it was a ten year warranty.
jape

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Mick Smith
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#3 Post by Mick Smith » Fri Mar 02, 2007 2:05 pm

bear74

Jape is right in what he says. The feature of Gortex is that it's actually a waterproof membrane. The membrane itself is quite vulnerable to wear and tearing, so it's always protected by layers of a much tougher fabric, like nylon. Most Gortex jackets are what they call "3 layer" garments. This means you have the tough nylon outer layer, the flimsy Goretex layer and then finally the lining. The Gortex layer is protected on both sides.

The actual Gortex layer has millions if not billions of tiny holes through it. The holes are so tiny, water in liquid form can't get through it, but water vapour can. This is why Goretex garments as said to "breathe" and this is what makes it relatively comfortable to wear.

What most manufacturers of Gortex rainwear do, is put some additional silicon based waterproofing on the external layer. This makes the garment stay cleaner and it also helps with water repellency. It also keeps the garment from getting saturated and heavy, although even when it is saturated on the outside, none of the water should leak through into the inside, unless the water comes in through a seam. Everytime you sew through the 3 layer fabric, the needle punches larger holes through the Goretex membrane. These holes are huge when compared to the nano sized holes already there. To combat water coming in through the seams, manufacturers tape the seams which makes them fully waterproof. If the tape is coming off the seams on the inside of the garment, you can buy the proper glue and tape at most outdoor specialists to replace it.

You can usually rejuvenate old Gortex jackets by giving them a good thorough washing with detergent or soap. After drying you can apply a light spray of silicon based waterproofing mixture to the external layer, but be careful not to saturate it as you don't want the membrane caked up with chemicals.

I've done this with a few Gortex jackets and trousers and they've come up looking like new again and just as waterproof as they every were.

Mick
There is no use focusing on aiming if you don't execute the shot well enough to hit what your are aiming at.

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Trad Bound
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#4 Post by Trad Bound » Fri Mar 02, 2007 6:08 pm

I agree with Mick I had my Gortex 18 or so years. I have reproofed twice. All the instructions Mick stated seem strange but are correct. Mine is coming to the end of its natural life but 18 years is good.
Cheers Tony

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