Cleaning a Nomex Race Suit?

[emicen]

The flaw in purchasing a Stig-esque cream Alpine Stars race suit has become apparent, its getting filthy mighty quickly!

Main cause being my lack of ability to change before tinkering with something or even just checking tyre pressures and getting brake dust on it as I stick my hands in my pockets.

Anyways, I take it one cant just bung a nomex suit in the wash with some Persil Automatic? Whats the best way to get dirt and general grubby marks out?

(I'm buying overalls this weekend and getting out my race suit after every heat from now on incidentally!)

[frodo_monkey]

Actually, you can just bung it in the wash with some persil! Thats what I do anyhow... The key is not to wash at too hot a temperature (40deg for me) and then definitely don't tumble dry/iron it (not that you would hopefully) - because as I understand it the direct application of heat is what takes the 'flameproofness' out of the Nomex.

Thats what I get told for my flameproof flying suit at work (RAF) anyway, standing by to be corrected

[AWRacing]

I've always put mine in the wash too.

[Zumbruk]

Actually, I don't put mine in the wash.



My wife does.

[Trev450]

Mine goes in the washing machine too. Make sure you close the velcro fasteners though otherwise they will lose their grip

[Graham]

nomex is fine in the wash IIRC its proban you cant wash as that is treated rather than the fibres actually giving you the protection

[carl_w]

Although the people who make Proban (Du Pont?) reckon it's good for being washed up to 50 times IIRC?

For Nomex I use the Molecule wash stuff that DT sells.

[Zumbruk]

Trev450 said:

Mine goes in the washing machine too. Make sure you close the velcro fasteners though otherwise they will lose their grip

I can provide replacement Nomex velcro at a very reasonable price. Mail me for details.

[carl_w]

BTW the Molecule stuff recommends you dry in the tumble dryer. The nomex is fireproof, what's the tumble dryer going to do to it? I know some hillclimbers who reckon the best way to dry your gloves on a hot day is to stick them on the exhaust.

[teamHOLDENracing]

A wild stab in the dark here, but could you not follow the washing instructions sewn into the suit?!

[emicen]

teamHOLDENracing said:

A wild stab in the dark here, but could you not follow the washing instructions sewn into the suit?!

There arent any that I can see unless the labels sewn in down the bottom of the leg on the inside or something.

[teamHOLDENracing]

Try just inside the main zip, running alongside the zip. Left hand side as you look at the suit. That's where they are in both my OMP and Sparco suits

[emicen]

There's some embroidery there on the Alpinestars one but it was more disclaimer stuff iirc. Correct useage, no guarantee won't get burnt etc. Made in Romania too apparently

I'll have another look tonight but pretty sure it's not there.

[marshal_alan]

suppose it would be too easy to contact the manufacturer and ask them for advice

according to the instructions on my AWS proban marshals overalls they are okay for 50 washes, which equates to 25 years life expectancy as us marshals on wash our ovies at the midway point of the season and at the end. plus washing doesnt get rid of the black tyrewall marks anyway

[emicen]

One of the most prominent learnings so far this year has been the manufacturer is often the least use for contacting tbh Alan.

AST for my suspension, phonecalls and emailed, still got nothing out of them regarding info/manuals for my suspension.

Yokohama, multiple phone calls and emails, heehaw back about tyre pressures. 2 minute chat with Ronnie from Wheels Around told me all I needed to know.

BMW, wont sell you a water pump without taking the old one as exchange even when its not a failure of the pump, more the tyrewall has shattered the pulley. GSF sold me a new one with no exchange nonsense.

Easier just to ask on here!

[teamHOLDENracing]

emicen said:

There's some embroidery there on the Alpinestars one but it was more disclaimer stuff iirc. Correct useage, no guarantee won't get burnt etc. Made in Romania too apparently

I'll have another look tonight but pretty sure it's not there.

Alongside the disclaimer stuff there are usually cleaning instructions.

In case there are none: 30 degrees, non-bio powder and no fabric conditioner on a delicate cycle. Don't hang it on the line in strong sunlight, the fabric is light sensitive and will degrade over time.

[Galileo]

Mine is self cleaning.

I get back from a race weekend and chuck it in the corner.

Two days later its washed and folded and back in the cupboard.

Quite clever really, but not sure how it does it.

[midgetmax]

OK I can help here. We used to manufacture FIA suits, and now we're still retailers.

Washing - yes chuck in the washing machine but DO NOT use Persil! Or any other soap-based powder for that matter - look for the detergent based ones like Ariel. 40 degrees is ideal.

Reason? Soap-based powders react with (esp) hard water to leave chalky deposits which are flammable. Doesn't damage the fibres, and can be got rid of by washing again in detergent.

Someone mentioned Proban - if in doubt read the label LOL! The label says "Passes en533 after 50 washes" - it does NOT say "only protects you for 50 washes" which is a common misconception. And 50 washes is a hell of a long time anyway :-) They have to draw the line somewhere, and the test is set at 50 washes.

There are some products that help wash Nomex suits, I've never tried them so can't comment.

HTH

Max Tyler

[BertBert]

Galileo said:

Mine is self cleaning.

I get back from a race weekend and chuck it in the corner.

Two days later its washed and folded and back in the cupboard.

Quite clever really, but not sure how it does it.

Mine too! Although, apparently it gets washed to get rid of the smell, not to get it clean!
Bert

[wadsapple]

i to have a white race suit so read all this with great interest and have been to tescoe to sort out a detergent.after reading all the labels the only one on offer was tescoe own brand" non bio liquid detergent" it was the only one that says on the back in small writing " suitable for flame-retardant finishes ".when i was asking advise one lady said she used it to wash her boyfriends overalls , he was a fireman apparently.