Nikwax techwash and TX Direct wash in

[E38Ross]

Bought some of this today as I've just got a new goretex coat and noticed it says about using it to maintain the beading of water on goretex stuff....

A while ago I got a thin gore bikewear jacket which now just soaks up water (but still doesn't let water in) as I've cleaned with normal detergents so will now use this stuff but can it be used on these gloves I use for cycling....?

http://www.webtogs.co.uk/Mountain_Equipment_Mens_R...

My only concern is they're a soft shell one side, but leather on the other. The other soft she'll did bead water but they now need washing as they're a bit dirty.

Could I shove them in the washing machine on a 30deg hand wash with the goretex jacket?

Cheers.



Thoughts...?

[gazza285]

Chuck them in.

If you have washed the Gore jacket with normal detergent it might take a couple of treatments with the TX Direct before it is as it should be.

I've got my bike stuff, plus the family spend a lot of time yomping over mountains in all weathers, so we do have experience with such things. If you are worried about the gloves then you can always use the Nikwax Direct spray on the backs and use dubbin on the palms.

[E38Ross]

Thanks for that. Is it worth washing it a couple of times with the techwash first or just wash once, and a couple of treatments with the tx wash in?

Thanks again.

[E38Ross]

If I decide to use the tx direct wash in twice is it worth using the tx, then having the jacket dry before washing with tx again, or just doing 2 cycles back to back?

[Vladimir]

I do normal wash with non bio powder, then a tech wash followed by Tx cycke. Works pretty well.

[E38Ross]

Thanks chaps

I have some windproof and water resistant (Teflon coated) lycra cycling leggings.... Brand new, is it worth washing with techwash and occasionally treating with tx? What about normal lycra (not wind or water resistant?

Cheers

[Vladimir]

Wouldn't bother with normal Lycra but the waterproof stuff would work with it.

You can make jeans waterproof (briefly) with Tx too! It's clever stuff.

[E38Ross]

Do you mean don't bother with the normal lycra but treat the lycra which has been Teflon coated?

Thanks again.

[Vladimir]

E38Ross said:

Do you mean don't bother with the normal lycra but treat the lycra which has been Teflon coated?

Thanks again.

Yep!

[rhinochopig]

A word of advice chaps. You must never wash breathable fabrics in normal wash powder if you want to retain the water repellent / beading characteristics. The perfume molecules bond to the fabric and stop of the water repellency molecules from adhering.

It's a PITA washing breathable shells in the washer so it's worth doing all your jackets at the same time. The correct process is as follows:

Pull out your powder tray on your washer and scrub it clean of ALL wash powder. Look inside the draw aperture and clean that out as well.

Set your washer to the hottest wash it will do and then run it through 1 (preferably 2) full cycles to clear out the powder residue that accumulates in the pipes.

Then use a tech-wash as per bottle instructions.

Then use a wash in WR finish. Avoid the spray on ones if you can, as they're not as good. Obviously if you have a fleece lining then you'll need to use a spray on one.

Job done.

[Vladimir]

I was told you just need to use non bio powder; I have several very old items still going strong using it to wash them.

I had soap flakes but they smelt horrible.

[rhinochopig]

Vladimir said:

I was told you just need to use non bio powder; I have several very old items still going strong using it to wash them.

I had soap flakes but they smelt horrible.

AFAIK it won't do them any harm but if it's perfumed it will stop the the DWR finish from sticking so you're wasting money using it. DWR only helps with breath-ability anyway not waterproofness; it stops the fabric wetting.

My advice came direct from one of the companies who supplied the kit to the MR team I was in, and I have to say, cleaning the washer before hand did make a difference to the how well the DWR took to the fabric.

[Vladimir]

Mine came direct from Finisterre. I have a load of their kit (we worked with them for a while and got paid in clothing) and the Nikwax Analogy stuff I have still works a treat; totally waterproof, completely breathable. Have had a jacket of theirs over fine years now.

Same with our outer shell kit.