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GoreTex jackets and water repellency

876 Views 9 Replies 6 Participants Last post by BeaverTail, Dec 25, 2009

BeaverTail

Discussion Starter · Dec 25, 2009

I have had a North Face Gore Text 2L jacket for about 2 years. At first it repelled water amazingly, though over time it got worse and worse. The waterproof functionality is fine, just the nylon layer gets drenched.

I have used Nixwax techwash to wash the jacket, with good results. I then washed the jacket with the techwash and then used the Nikwax TX.direct wash in formula to revitalize the water repellentcy. It did a decent job, but the repellency is still weak.

I have thought about buying the Nikwax TX.Direct spray on formula, and hoping for better results. But thought id ask here first to see some experiences. As I know there are some other competing products.

I also wanted to ask, if anybody experienced the nylon layer getting weak and wrinkled after use. I noticed some people with Goretex jackets have really thick nylon layers, my goretex 2 seems to have a thinner nylon layer.

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mtnbiker72

· #2 · Dec 25, 2009

Well first off, you shouldn't use wash in products on Gore-Tex garments with wicking liners (they strictly recommend against it) as it affects the breathability...but were past the point of no return there so we'll move on. More Nikwax isn't going to do the trick, if fact to be frank of all the "treatments" I've found Nikwax to be one of the worst for Gore-Tex garments (I like their products for fleece, down, and leather though). It is totally dependent on the fabric absorbing the liquid which is why their instructions tell you to get the product wet first. But nylon doesn't really absorb much so that is a problem. Nikwax works great on leather boots because it can absorb the product, but nylon cannot.

Also, buying their tech wash is a waste of money...just use a mild liquid or powdered detergent such as Woolite. Since you've already used Nikwax, dry the jacket on Warm and see if that helps redistribute the DWR. If it still wets out, try Steam Ironing Warm to revive the DWR.

If all else fails, give it a good washing with a standard (fragrance free and NO fabric softener) detergent to get as much of the Nikwax out and then use ReviveX (spray on only) which is the best DWR I've ever used.

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womble

· #3 · Dec 25, 2009

Are you making sure to clean the detergent/conditioner buildup out of your washing machine before you put the jacket in? Those residues are supposed to severely inhibit DWR treatments. And you're using a low tumble try after the DWR treatment, right?

I've had good experiences with the Nikwax TX stuff on my Paramo gear, but I've also been really anal about running a couple of straight soap washes through the machine and clean out the crud from underneath the detergent dispenser before putting my jacket in.

mtnbiker's comment about woolite is spot on. Use that or pure soap flakes instead of techwash- it's cheaper and does the same thing (doesn't leave residues).

I have not experienced nylon weakening noticeably over time.

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Johnny Come Lately

· #4 · Dec 25, 2009

Wash with pure soap and then into a dryer for a short time. Only way for Gore-tex type fabrics

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BeaverTail

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 25, 2009

We don't use detergents, only soap even for our normal clothes. Its a brand new washing machine and has never been used with detergents. I buy the NikWax techwash because I have had good experiences with it, getting the jacket really clean.

I live in a apartment and dont have a dryer, so I need to air dry my garments. Cant do it at the Laundromat as all of their machines are covered in synthetics.

Even if I wash with just plain soap, which I have not done, im pretty sure the DWR will not come back.

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womble

· #6 · Dec 25, 2009

For what it's worth, I've had good results from Nikwax Polar Proof wash for softshell gear without using a drier.

I've recently used a Grangers spray-on product (XK Proofer) on the same gear, and it is noticeably less effective.

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mtnbiker72

· #7 · Dec 25, 2009

BeaverTail said:
We don't use detergents, only soap even for our normal clothes. Its a brand new washing machine and has never been used with detergents. I buy the NikWax techwash because I have had good experiences with it, getting the jacket really clean.

I live in a apartment and dont have a dryer, so I need to air dry my garments. Cant do it at the Laundromat as all of their machines are covered in synthetics.

Even if I wash with just plain soap, which I have not done, im pretty sure the DWR will not come back.

W/O the dryer, your missing a pretty important step when trying to restore a DWR. You should at least hit is with the warm steam iron.

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Pisgah

· #8 · Dec 25, 2009

I am not trying to be smart, but doesn't sweat make the whole Gore-Tex thing pointless.

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Harold

· #9 · Dec 25, 2009

Yeah, the warm air really helps that DWR fuse to the fabrics and to itself. The dryer is the most important step. Sometimes I don't even bother to wash my jacket. I just toss it in the dryer on tumble low to revive the DWR.

And spray-on treatments are the way to go. I never use the wash-in stuff.

my experience with nikwax and their DWR treatments is only so-so. Not as good as the factory DWR, but it does work. When I use up the bottle I have, I'll try another brand.

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BeaverTail

Discussion Starter · #10 · Dec 25, 2009

Pisgah said:
I am not trying to be smart, but doesn't sweat make the whole Gore-Tex thing pointless.

I love my Goretex, it is capable of keeping me cool on 50F degree days, when it is unexpectedly warm and is capable of keeping me warm enough to survive in below 20F degree temperatures. Anything lower than 20F, I need to wear a fleece underneath for long periods of time.

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