Waterproofs but for how long?

[headlamp]

Yesterday was wet on the bike - very wet - after a soaking on the commute to work - my (up to now) reliable Revitt jacket and trousers had allowed some dampness to seep in resulting in slightly damp trousers and a bit of a wet shirt - it had more or less dried out in the office by the time I set off to go home in even more heavy rain!

By the time I got home my trousers had failed completely! I was decidely soggy - the black dye from my jeans ruining a shirt. I've had both jacket & trousers for two years...is it to be expected that waterproofs lose their efficiency after a period of time - is there a way of re-waterproofing them?

Answers on a postcard... or just reply to this thread.
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[sickpup]

Re-proof with Nikwax.

Don't use the graingers stuff where you have to put it in the tumble drier, it kills Gore-tex and Cordura. Neither should be tumble dried.

[ms51ves3]

My dads Sidi waterproofs that he bought in 2001 are still waterproof and he stil uses them. They've never let him down.

I'm hard and don't have waterproofs

[Charlie]

Yeah waterproof with Nikwax like Sickpup says.

Also try getting GoreTex gear next time, waterproof warranty for 5 years (think its only a year for boots though).

And Chives while you sit around wet and getting cold, but feeling cold. I will be taking my bike gear off and be sat there dry and warm.. although feeling slight softer.. But I think smugness out-weights the softness
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[ms51ves3]

[TechJinx]

Have you taken out any winter underlayers from the trousers?

I did that and yesterday my crotch was a bit damp by the time I got home.

On a slight highjack, how do you waterproof the jacket helmet join area?

I stuck a snood on and sweated like hell
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[Wil]

I got soaked yesterday. Tuzo trousers - 100% waterproof my arse. I fact, I may as well have waterproofed my arse, as that's where most of the water ended up...
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[Stevie GooGs]

I wear leathers and put a IXS Orca Waterproof Suit over the top been in really bad weather with it and it was fine. The only thing about these suits is you dont feel that you are in control of the bike as much as you slide about and they inflate a bit so mirrors are usesless but they do keep you dry. If you do look at getting one of these get about 2 sizes up from what you would normally as you have to get it over your bulky jacet etc makes it easier.
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[Carl Howell]

Mine had leaked a bit recently so washed them with this stuff that was in the cupboard that made for waterproof stuff. Then I used SDoc Textile Proofer from HG and you spray it on and then its like when a car is waxed. No water gets through but any water beads off so then it doesn't drip for hours. You can shake the water off outside and they are nearly dry.

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

I have leathers and put a Respro over suit on if it's raining. It's like a baby grow thing. I'm pretty sure they do a full road version too though.
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[Carl Howell]

[stinkwheel]

In my experience, motorcycle gear is seldom as waterproof as it claims to be.

I buy motorcycle gear for motorcycling in and waterproofs for waterproofing.

So, I wear my leathers or trousers or shorts and t-shirt or whatever to ride my bike in. I don't expect them to be waterproof and treat any claims to be so as totally spurious.

If I want to keep dry too, I put on waterproofs as well. I expect something which has no design purpose other than waterproofness to do the job. Currently I use dutch army issue gore tex trousers and a neoprene milking parlour top.

My HG master 4 gloves are still waterproof but at this time of year, I sometimes just decide to put up with wet hands rather than have hot, sweaty hands.
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[LeeR]

Funnily enough my Frank Thomas trousers leaked for the first time in 18 months last week. I was quite surprised as they'd been water tight until the torrential rain last week. I've a theory that riding with a tank bag has kept the rain from pooling in my crotch, but last week I used my rucksack. So I sprayed them with Fabsil and rubbed seam sealant in the obvious places. This week they've been excellent again, but I'm back to using the tank bag.
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[magpiemale]

I have tried nick wax on my once time jacket but was no good after repeated tries try a spray on textile proofer from various hein gericke shops or getgeared web site........

[iooi]

[cagiva gezzer]

All my HG gear is still waterproof, but as stinkwheel says most motorbike stuff isn't.

Maybe the seams have come away. If they have no amount or "re-proofing" will help. You can get the seams re-sealed with strips, or use silicon paste from camping shops (used to seal seams in tent ground sheets).

The re-proofing stuff just adds a water resistant coating to materials. Liek waxing your car - helps water bead off.
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[matthab]

Lewis jacket and trousers never leaked yet
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[colin1]