Waterproofing kit...

[Clanger]

Hey peeps, I have been given a bike jacket to try out, as it fits me massively better than my current one. But I've been told it has been machine washed and isn't exactly waterproof anymore, but will survive the odd shower or two.

So I was wondering, if anyone has used a waterproofing spray, like the sort you might use on a tent? Or some of these sprays you might use on shoes to waterproof them? Which would you recommend?

If I can waterproof it, it means I will have a better jacket, albeit not black. (a first for me).
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

Nikwax tx wash-in.
Then nikwax direct spray.

TBH. they will help, not reproof 100%

Pat
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Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[CptBlack]

You could try the Lidl's spray. Don't know how good it is, but for £1 ish it's worth a punt, and going by their dirt remover spray it should work pretty well. Although the can was a little small!

[panrider_uk]

I use Nikwax Tech Wash (a non-detergent cleaner) then Nikwax In Wash proofing to clean and reproof my jacket every year.

Mark
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Current bikes: Honda ST1100 Pan European. Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel

[sk8wheeler]

This ^

don't use any washing powder or liquid though, as the detergents will not do your jacket any good at all!

[Clanger]

[LeeR]

I use Nikwax Tech Wash and then spray with Granger's Fabsil, it just seems to work better for me than the Nikwax TX-Direct or wash-in.
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My claim to fame: Austin Vince nicked my pen...

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

I pour hot water into the powder tray...flush it out. Rinse cycle.
Then add garment with 2 caps of TX Wash in. On a wool cycle(no spin)
Let it drip over the washing line. Sometimes when damp in a dryer low heat or on a hanger in the airing cupboard overnight.

When dry spray it with the TX Direct.

Also used a silicon based aerosol(tent reproofer)

None of it is cheap tho.


Pat
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[ram_doom]

Scotchgard and some seam tape for the inside seams should help.
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TL1000s, KDX200

[Clanger]

HT, are you saying re-wash the jacket in that special stuff, then use the protective sprays? Wouldn't it just be easier to spray it with protective stuff and ignore washing it again??
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

There are a myriad of products.

You could just spray it with a reproofer.

I do the belt n braces approach. (my jacket is goretex, so worth the effort)

Pat
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[Clanger]

I think I may attempt the textile shoe waterproofing sprays.. it can't hurt can it... I imagine the ingredients are pretty much the same... and such sprays definitely work on my footwear.

Actually, does anyone have the Nikwax spray handy? Could you list the ingredients on here please, then I can go and compare the ingredients with the shoe stuff I have copious amounts of...? Cheers.
____________________
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

It smells of PVA. (Polyvinyl acetate )

I used mine up last week.

edit: found some TX Direct Spray On. No ingredients listed on bottle.
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[Dazbo666]

I have some of that Kikwax Tech spray, but TBH haven't used it yet.
Good to hear it's had a few votes on here - so I'll give it a go with my tex jacket once I've managed to find a summer leather that fits properly
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1st bike (Sept'06 - May'10) : 1991 GPZ500S / Current bike (since Nov 2009) : 2003 Suzuki Bandit 600N
Word of the day : DILLIGAF

[stinkwheel]

If you can put up with the smell of the white spirit thinners for a bit, Thompsons water seal is good. I use it on my tents.

That said, most non-gore-tex textile jackets are actually waterproof by virtue of a plastic liner between the outer material and the padding. It'll have a fancy name like "superbreathowaterproofatex" which on closer inspection turns out to be something resembling slightly flexible bin liner material.

As such, applying waterproofing agents to the surface is largely a waste of time. When they start leaking, they are always going to leak.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Smooth]

My Aldi Textile jacket started leaking at the crook of both elbows.

The jacket needed a wash anyway so I used Nikwax tech wash and TX10, although didn't expect miracles as the material is just internally-coated nylon.

In a heavy downpour the leaks were still there, so I used conventional Nikwax (the solid wax that you rub into leather) on the crooks of the elbows and heated the patches inside and out with a hair dryer to aid penetration.

Donning the jacket and testing with a hosepipe, the water rolled off and my elbows seemed to stay dry. Likewise riding the bike in a light shower earlier.

It's not elegant, it won't breathe but it should keep out the water and you wouldn't notice it unless you were looking for it.

ps. I was going to mention Thompson's Water seal too. I'm thinking of trying that at some point.
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TDM850

[magpiemale]

best buy a decent gore-tex jacket or similar instead of wasting money on nik-wax.I have used these products they help but not very good.
dainese and alpinestars etc do their own type of gore-tex including held too try these if you cannot afford real gore-tex money jackets.
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NSR125 1992 (sold) kawasaki Z750S,fazer FZ1 07 now gone present bike 2012 fz1s Fazer,beowulf rad protector,heated grips,sw motech gps holder,power socket.

[Clanger]

[magpiemale]

sorry
Well if you do not trust your jacket for any length of time in the rain you can buy a cheap rain over coat to go over the top.better than wasting money on products
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NSR125 1992 (sold) kawasaki Z750S,fazer FZ1 07 now gone present bike 2012 fz1s Fazer,beowulf rad protector,heated grips,sw motech gps holder,power socket.

[willis1337]

Bin liner underneath for body - plastic bag for each arm - job done

[poorboyspost]

Why not buy a new one that is water proof since it would not be raining for the rest of the year, so you can assure that your jacket is 100% water proof.
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Pimp my RIDE

[Clanger]