I have a couple of eVent jackets, both of which are becoming less effective with age (starting to wet out in prolonged downpours). Washing as per the label only seems to work for a short time, and they no longer bead that effectively even after washing. Is there anything I can use to restore the finish or should I just accept they'll never be as good as when they were new?
that's what i've found. i think event is a very expensive disposable material... i use mine as a windproof now. have been through 3 jackets because wiggle were very good about returns. all the same. not abused.
tried washing and tumble drying etc.
you can try nickwax or grangers wash in but never worked for me. anyone tried the spray on stuff?
I think the advice for eVent is to wash with detergent to get any greases and oils that compromise the material, then wash with pure soap or the nikwax stuff to get rid off any detergent residue, and then proof with a DWR or the Nikwax stuff.
I think I would try the Nikwax.
I found that with eVent stuff - generally quite disappointing waterproof-ness! Re-proofing has helped though - I have had much more success with the nikwax spray on stuff rather than the wash in.
Yeah as above, wash in the machine with normal detergent and then use the spray-on stuff. I didn't find the in-machine version of Granger's did very much, but the spray on Grangers does exactly what it says, it basically forces the water to bead. You can do it to more or less anything too, I waterproofed a cotton hoodie, watching running tap water just bead off a hoodie is bizarre.
The waterproof / breatheability is a function of the membrane, but the beading (which allows both the waterproofing and breathability) is dependent on the surface coating. Buy a bottle of the spray on stuff.
some useful help [url= http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/forum/forummessages/mps/dt/1/UTN/51795/last/1/V/1/SP/ ]here[/url]
With Grangers, you need to tumble dry the garment to get the DWR to work correctly.
I bought an M&S office shirt with Dri-Guard, like this:
http://www.marksandspencer.com/Dri-Guard-Cotton-Short-Sleeve-Checked/dp/B007IDENPU
and it beads water - even after several washes.
Perhaps we should start wearing these.