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trimarannaga · 15-12-2017, 06:02

Hello all
Looking for advice- how to waterproof my old weather gear">foul weather gear. Too expensive to buy new stuff, but my Gill OS2 gear no longer keeps me dry.
Any advice?
I remember once taking 303 fabric guard to a Musto jacket and it became completely useless for repelling water, so please, give me advice only if you know it won't make things worse.
Thanks and merry christmas!!!

Near2KR · 15-12-2017, 06:21

If it's Gore Tex, Nikwax is the ticket. Two steps, a wash and a repellent spray after.

billknny · 15-12-2017, 07:15

You might try returning it to Gill. Most of the major foul weather gear manufacturers have a "lifetime" warranty, although in some great advertising double speak that is for the lifetime of the garment, and they get to decide what that is.

But... worth a call at least!

hellosailor · 15-12-2017, 09:54

Gill doesn't seem to have any express warranty. Which could be a good thing, since that sometimes triggers statutory warranties instead. I'd suggest contacting them directly at:
Gill North America
1025 Parkway Industrial Park Drive
Buford, Ga 30518

TEL: 800-822-6504
FAX: 800-368-4445
WEB: www.gillna.com

and see if they step up and do the right thing. No doubt they'll go over use and care with you and then say either to send it in for examination, or something less enjoyable.

The thing about ridiculously overpriced gen-you-whine Gore-Tex, is that the good stuff (seam sealed) has a lifetime warranty. If the maker won't replace it, Gore will. Last time I dealt with Gore, the VERY nice rep said yes, they examined my jacket. Yes, some of the GT was starting to delaminate. Pick anything similar from ANY company and we'll have it shipped to you.

Which, as you can imagine, tickled me pink. If Gill can't match that, you make sure to let them know how high the bar really has to be set.

**Jim Cate** · 15-12-2017, 15:19

Quote:

The thing about ridiculously overpriced gen-you-whine Gore-Tex, is that the good stuff (seam sealed) has a lifetime warranty. If the maker won't replace it, Gore will. Last time I dealt with Gore, the VERY nice rep said yes, they examined my jacket. Yes, some of the GT was starting to delaminate. Pick anything similar from ANY company and we'll have it shipped to you.

This is absolutely fascinating information!!! If true, I have thrown away/donated heaps of otherwise good gear that could have been replaced under Gore's warranty.

I can hardly wait for my brand new Gill jacket to die!

Jim

TheOffice · 15-12-2017, 17:46

Gill does have a lifetime warranty. I used it on a 15 year old jacket.

hellosailor · 15-12-2017, 19:27

Jim-
Me too. I had a nice thick rare GoreTex down winter parka, which admittedly had frayed a bit at the cuffs and was taking wear. But eventually it started sogging through and, foolish me, the maker was long out of business and I never thought to contact Gore.
So when I had a problem with a much cheaper Gore-Tex lightweight rain jacket...THAT vendor replaced it.
And some years later, I managed (don't ask) to catch the zipper of a Marmot Gore-Tex ski jacket, which I had been happily using as a foul weather jacket, in a car door. Sheepishly called Marmot, because I'm not an ace or enthusiastic tailor, and said "If I send this to you, can you replace the zipper?" Sure, no problem. Two weeks later I get a phone call: Yeah, no problem on the zipper, but while it was here we examined the Gore-Tex (part of a program with Gore!) and you've got some delamination starting. Why don't you take a look at our new catalogue and just pick out something similar? No charge.
You see a pattern here?(G)
Then one day, I had a plain "Gore Extreme Wet Weather Warranty" unlined jacket on in a pouring rain, and got in a car with heated seatbacks. Which promptly pushed the water IN to the jacket. Called REI, who would happily refund it but I couldn't replace it at that price. Called Gore who said "Send it to us"...And I'm still wearing the replacement jacket, from an entirely different maker.
I figure between the two that I have now, which Gore will gladly keep replacing forever, and a much lighter GoreTex PacLite jacket, I'm set to stay dry for life.

In the movies you hear military pilots calling "Feet wet...feet dry..." as they cross over the coastline. My version of that is "Butt wet! Butt dry." As long as the butt stays dry, I'm a happy sailor. Hands, head, face, yeah, I expect to get them wet. But Gore sure has helped keep the rest dry, and after the first replacement, the pro-rated cost of the garment makes them REAL attractive. I'll add a pair of GTex bib pants when and if I need them. The ones I have now...are generally accepted on the grounds that 1) They were a bargain, and 2) I plan on duck hunting. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.(G)

kas_1611 · 16-12-2017, 09:55

As a trained Gore sales assistant in my youth here's the advice we used to give out regarding waterproof clothing and how to care/repair:

Firstly wash it in soap flakes (Dreft or Nikwax Loft or similar). NEVER use detergents as they will strip the water repellent coating off the clothing. Use a gentle 30C or 40C cycle as per the washing instructions on the label.

Then tumble dry if it says so or hang it to dry.

8 times out of 10 this restores the waterproofness and breathability of a garment by revitalising the repellency which causes the rain to bead up and run off.

If this doesn't work then either use a spray on reproofing agent (Grangers, TX Direct spray or similar) or a wash in reproofing agent (TX Direct wash in is the best). Again follow the instructions and if you can tumble dry do so.

This will restore the repellent coating again, proof the zips, insides of pockets etc and just about restore your jacket to its original state.

If the seams are starting to come untaped you can repair them with a simple glue such as Bostik clear. The seams themselves are not breathable so you will not affect this part of the performance and it is pretty much how the experts repair tapes (with a slightly different glue admittedly). For larger repairs and for delaminating GoreTex you can buy an official Gore repair kit from most outdoor shops.

Larger areas of delamination, tapes or if you rip the material will need to go to a specialist via the store you purchased or via Gore if the store has closed down.

GoreTex is the most widely known waterproof breathable fabric but there are many others available. The basic clean it and dry it works for all these as it is dirt that generally results in poor fabric performance.

Hope this helps

Keiron

Sundreamer2 · 16-12-2017, 11:04

What about musto gear that is about 34 years old any good tips ?

roland stockham · 16-12-2017, 11:40

Yes the advice re TX direct is right. The key is to warm air dry it. Tumble dry on the hottest setting the lable allows. This fixes the proofing.
The reason is wets out is not because the membrane is leaking but because the surface finish has gone and no longer sheds water. This effectively block the breathability so you get wet from condensation. Regular washing to keep garments clean is better than waiting untill they are gungy and starting to wet out

ebsail · 16-12-2017, 12:45

I had a Gil light jacket that began to wet through after 9 years. Sent it back to Gil and they called and said they could send me a much heavier and improved model for $20. I took the deal and I' still wearing that much more expensive series jacket that they sent me 15 years ago. And it's still waterproof.

Zep · 16-12-2017, 13:47

Here in "Downunder" I've never had a really expensive jacket. I had a locally made Bourke Pacific which was blue with white shoulders. After about twenty years it actually fell apart and as it did so I patched it with spinnaker type sticky back. Finally it went all motley with bubbles all over and I put it in the bin. I think they all went like that. May have been a rubber coating. It did keep me dry yet it was not something special
For at least ten of those years I had sitting a cupboard at home a brand new Henry Lloyd jacket. After binning the Bourke I brought out the Henry Lloyd. I should really have kept the Bourke. On a trip from Melbourne to Sydney in sometimes uncomfortable weather I got soaked to the bone and froze. I never kept the receipt so I doubt if I could do anything now. The Henry Llyod is back in the cupboard and I've got a couple of those very much cheaper yellow ones. A tenth the price but actually dry.
Is it worth trying something on it. It's clean it's still new looking but it's so wet you may just we'll cover your head with a tea towel.

Merry Christmas.
Zep

mowerandy · 16-12-2017, 14:22

I have a Stormy Seas (Australian made) off shore jacket I have loved using for many years. Its got all the bells and whistles, including heavy duty sewn-in harness, and Cat 1 certified inflatable buoyancy built in. Also has crotch straps and pockets everywhere. Very comfortable.
Trouble is, the rubber-backed polyester cloth they use craps out at between 10 and 15 years, whether you use it or not (my bib and brace pants came out of the bag for the first time about ten years after purchase and were unusable - fully delaminated).
Need new foulies then, but am so attached to the idea of the built in harness and buoyancy that I'm stumped, since I don't know of any other brands that offer it, but don't want to spend a stack on another 'temporary' jacket.
I'm pretty handy with a sewing machine, but cant face the thought of deconstructing a new goretex jacket to try to insert the buoyancy and harness system (I'm not that good, and will probably wreck it).
Anyone know of a goretex made jacket with sewn-in harness and inflatable buoyancy?