3M waterproofing spray for older fishing bibs?

[wasabi_VA]

I have a pair of maybe 10 year old fishing bibs (Gander Mountain Guide Wear) that are still in good shape and getting a lot of use this season. The waterproofing still seems Ok as far as leaking through to my clothing but water doesn't bead up on them anymore. Will spraying 3M Scothguard help with this?

[A-Jay]

Been using these products to care for performance outer gear for a while.

Works for me. 

A-Jay

[DaubsNU1]

17 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Been using these products to care for performance outer gear for a while.

Works for me. 

A-Jay

 

Could not agree with you more @A-Jay!

 

I have a lot of Gore-Tex hunting clothing, the Nikwax products are wonderful.

 

 

[gim]

I tried re-waterproofing my 10 year old set of gore-tex rain gear twice in the past two years and it failed both times.  So I said the heck with it and just bought a new set instead last March.  Kinda bothered me too because my previous set was still perfectly fine other than not being waterproof anymore.

[A-Jay]

14 minutes ago, gimruis said:

I tried re-waterproofing my 10 year old set of gore-tex rain gear twice in the past two years and it failed both times.  So I said the heck with it and just bought a new set instead last March.  Kinda bothered me too because my previous set was still perfectly fine other than not being waterproof anymore.

Something that has worked for me over the years to maintain water proofing in gear,

is to ensure the gear is routinely cleaned & maintained.

So at least a couple of times a year my rain/cold gear get the treatment.

Clearly that could be more if it get's used more.

But if I spend a day in the rain, rather than just drying my gear,

it get 'the treatment'.

Quality gear can be $$$, maintaining it is part of that. 

A-Jay

 

 

[gim]

3 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

So at least a couple of times a year my rain/cold gear get the treatment.

Clearly that could be more if it get's used more.

But if I spend a day in the rain, rather than just drying my gear,

it get 'the treatment'.

That's very likely why mine couldn't be brought "back to life."  Valid point.  Never really thought of re-waterproofing my rain gear regularly until you mentioned it.  Now that I have a new set, I will be doing it more often to see if that helps with longevity/durability.

 

The OP may be in trouble, just like I was.  His are 10 years old.  He didn't mention if he had been waterproofing his regularly but considering he asked for advice on waterproofing products, I'm guessing he didn't.  Might be too late for him too.

[A-Jay]

8 minutes ago, gimruis said:

That's very likely why mine couldn't be brought "back to life."  Valid point.  Never really thought of re-waterproofing my rain gear regularly until you mentioned it.  Now that I have a new set, I will be doing it more often to see if that helps with longevity/durability.

 

The OP may be in trouble, just like I was.  His are 10 years old.  He didn't mention if he had been waterproofing his regularly but considering he asked for advice on waterproofing products, I'm guessing he didn't.  Might be too late for him too.

I learned the hard way by just leaving them in the boat for years and expecting them to be good.

Interesting thing is, they 'look' fine but don't before as needed any more.

Still kept most of it and it's now used as 'dog working' clothes.

At this point, it might stink a little.

A-Jay

[DaubsNU1]

Best friend of mine worked at Cabela's corporate from the 1980's until just a few years ago. Worked his way up from phones, to web development, to buyer and product development. We had some excellent conversations about Gore-Tex and waterproof clothing.

 

Of course, Cabela's "knocked-off" products of their own that were very similar to Gore-Tex, like Dry-Plus, etc. Other companies have done this as well. He talked a lot about pressure per square inch, how much the waterproof membranes could keep water droplets out, keep you feeling dry, keep water off your skin, etc.

 

He always advocated keeping products clean and protected, very much the same as @A-Jay discusses here.

 

Another thing he advocated was the DWR, or "durable water repellent."  Good DWR helps water droplets bead and roll of the exterior of the garment. Without good DWR, water soaks in to the fabric, and while water may not be getting through the Gore-Tex layer, it "feels" wet against your skin.

 

He also advocated getting the best gear you can afford. Cabela's (and other companies) are always looking to maximize profit margins...if they can build something cheaper that is almost as good, and make more $$, then they will. Gore-tex products are more expensive because when a company uses their products, they pay Gore a %. He always felt Gore was expensive because it was worth every penny.

 

Cabela's also have to pay a % to use camo patterns...that's why the started developing their own Cabela's branded camo patterns...saves them $$ vs. paying Real-Tree or Advantage to use their camo patterns.  It's all about $$.

[txchaser]

Most of the brands will tell you that some time in a warm dryer will re-activate the DWR. 

https://www.gore-tex.com/support/care/dwr

 

>

Once dry, tumble dry for a further 20 minutes to reactivate the durable water repellent (DWR) treatment. 

[Vilas15]

I used some reviveX on a columbia rain jacket that didnt bead water any more. Wash it in a machine and put the stuff in where the fabric softener goes. Then take the jacket straight out without rinsing and into the dryer to basically bake the stuff it on it. Worked pretty well and now its a great backup to the new Simms jacket i just got.

[TnRiver46]

I  sprayed 3M on my rain coat Friday , will report back tomorrow as it’s supposed to pour 

[TnRiver46]

15 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

I  sprayed 3M on my rain coat Friday , will report back tomorrow as it’s supposed to pour 

Still got a shoulder leak! At least I isolated it 

[FishTank]

8 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

Still got a shoulder leak! At least I isolated it 

If you have a leak, 99% of the time dwr treatment will not fix that.  It's probably due to be replaced.  If it's a single layer jacket they are prone to leaking from day one. They are meant for going from your car to a store.

 

I use to go to a site/outdoor gear store that did shower and permeability tests but was asked by more than one brand to stop.  They would test dwr treatments as well. They tested everything from Frog Toggs to military grade jackets.  It was pretty cool but very nerdy. 

[TnRiver46]

36 minutes ago, FishTank said:

If you have a leak, 99% of the time dwr treatment will not fix that.  It's probably due to be replaced.  If it's a single layer jacket they are prone to leaking from day one. They are meant for going from your car to a store.

 

I use to go to a site/outdoor gear store that did shower and permeability tests but was asked by more than one brand to stop.  They would test dwr treatments as well. They tested everything from Frog Toggs to military grade jackets.  It was pretty cool but very nerdy. 

But I don’t wanna replace it……. Hahaha

 

ill try to spray where it leaked again, we will see. I think it leaked everywhere before I sprayed, now it’s one little spot