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Waterproofing spray

Derek Funcks

Derek Funcks

Senior Member & Supporter
After getting caught in a torrential downpour while walking the dog, my fishing coat ain,t what it used to be. I could feel the rain getting in through the seams. Can anyone recommend a good spray. Or is it time for a new coat ? :)
 
Forget the spray if water is getting in though the seams.

I'd go for un-issued army Gortex, jacket and over trousers. They are reasonably priced, lightweight, pack down into the minimum of space and are actually waterproof (plus breathable), even in the foulest of weather.

Stephen
 
I have saw a waterproofing spray in halfords not sure how good it is. A bit of research on the net will tell you, it's called Fabsil I think.
 
i have used fabsil and various others, probably spent more on waterproofing for umbrella and coats than they cost to buy. They are a short term fix so i would be more inclined to replace the item
 
Hi Derek,
My dog walking jacket now leaks as well, Jack Wolfskin, 180 quids worth and it leaks though the arms and pockets in heavy rain although it is about 4 years old now and gets loads of use.Maybe I need a new jacket too
 
Try the tx.direct spray from nikwax. If it's goretex type coat you must make sure it's the spray version and not the wash in version.
For best results apply it after you washed the coat in tech wash, again from nikwax. Both available from go outdoors.

All coats ( including expensive goretex will lose their ability to bead water/ breathe properly at some point, so will need reproofing)
 
If the garment is Goretex and is actually leaking (you need to check that it really is that), then it is finished. The Goretex membrane must be punctured in some way, so end of. On the other hand, if it is just the outer layer getting soaked through, then that means the 'beadability' has gone and it needs reproofing as said. The Goretex membrane will NOT leak unless it is holed in some way, but once the beadabillity of the outer layer is gone, the outer layer absorbs water. Once that happens, the garment can no longer 'breath', and any moisture you feel is sweat caused by that problem, NOT water coming through the garment. Wash the garment (preferably as said, in Nikwax 'Techwash'...but absolutely NEVER in detergent), then reproof the garment with the appropriate Nikwax proofer. Once that is done, the outer layer will shed water as before, and the 'breathability' will thus be restored...end of problem. This process gets less successful as the garment gets old and worn, but you should at least get several years out of it that way. Look after it, try not to get it muddy or grimed up in any way (use a brush and plain clean water to remove mud etc.) and you will extend it's life.

Cheers, Dave.
 
Just thinking much the same to-day when walking the dogs, have tried most of the new hi tech stuff, but when the weather is foul you cant beat a Barbour type coat, keeps you warm dry and wind proof.
 
I used Barbour waxed cotton jackets for years Neil....my uncle was a friend of the company owner :D They are very effective in keeping the rain out, VERY waterproof. However, I lost count of how many times I sweated my dooda's off re-waxing one jacket or another with an expensive tin of Barbour wax, a cloth to rub it in, and the missus hair dryer to melt it and insure it penetrated. The problem is, water proof they may be, but they most definitely are not breathable...so you can sweat badly and get just as wet that way. They usually have ventilation to help with that, but it doesn't fully prevent it.

So, Barbour coats basically have the same problem as a Goretex that has lost it's 'beadability' and is not performing correctly as a result. It doesn't breath, which means you sweat....which is why they have have become far less popular as the new fabrics were developed.

There are other, newer fabrics coming onto the market which apparently don't work the same way as Goretex...but they are very expensive.

Cheers, Dave.
 
David Gauntlett said:
I used Barbour waxed cotton jackets for years Neil....my uncle was a friend of the company owner :D They are very effective in keeping the rain out, VERY waterproof. However, I lost count of how many times I sweated my dooda's off re-waxing one jacket or another with an expensive tin of Barbour wax, a cloth to rub it in, and the missus hair dryer to melt it and insure it penetrated. The problem is, water proof they may be, but they most definitely are not breathable...so you can sweat badly and get just as wet that way. They usually have ventilation to help with that, but it doesn't fully prevent it.

So, Barbour coats basically have the same problem as a Goretex that has lost it's 'beadability' and is not performing correctly as a result. It doesn't breath, which means you sweat....which is why they have have become far less popular as the new fabrics were developed.

There are other, newer fabrics coming onto the market which apparently don't work the same way as Goretex...but they are very expensive.

Cheers, Dave.
Click to expand...

I know where you are coming from Dave, but as long as we are not walking miles the Barbour does seem better at most things, including making a rather nice 'statement' as to at least we don't look an Oik :p
 
Derek Funcks said:
Just had a brainstorm :D Stuffed my BFW poncho into one of the coat pockets. :)
Click to expand...

A friend of mine, who was part of mountain rescue when i lived in Scotland, could never understand why more people didn't use poncho's. I also remember seeing shepherd's wearing them when we used to enjoy the hill and mountain stuff, many years ago.

Stephen

I might add, in bright colours (orange, red etc) and not camo.
 
I had a Barbour in my teens. Trouble was the fabric wore at the cuffs and the pockets. Had it reproofed and repaired by Barbour but even with the extra lining it was too heavy and cold and also expensive to maintain.

Gore tex is the way forward and the army stuff hard to beat on price and performance. The Páramo jackets etc are nice but expensive. Great for on the mountains but not maybe the best choice for muddy winter fishing.

Stephen
 
I'm with Stephen on this. Buy un-issued army jackets and overtrousers and wear them for two/three seasons all year round. By then they'll need replacing if you've been fishing properly in all weathers etc. ;) If you do get three seasons out of them it works out at around £25 per year and you'll always feel secure in the knowledge that you won't be getting wet from the outside or even inside! Even better, you can keep the old ones for those desperately muddy days on spate/tidal rivers in dry weather, keeping the new ones for other times.

Even the best Gore-tex gear will suffer from wear and tear so if you can put up with the DPM, Army gear is the way. My last pair of brand new German Gore-tex Flecktarn overtrousers came with a detachable thermal liner...all for £30. Getting the same in a jacket (new) has become more difficult so I'm currently using a British Army jacket.
 
I was talking to my nephew about army issued goretex and he was saying to buy the 'Dutch Army Issued Goretex'.. He's in the Para's and apparently they WON'T wear it because they see it as being 'SOFT'...
 
John, it's the unissued stuff you want. It's dearer than the used stuff, but far better to start off with brand new gear, because obviously it will last longer...and the garments that have been issued may have serious problems due to bad maintenance.

Cheers, Dave.
 
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