Washing goretex techniques
Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2019 10:37 pm
Went into Blacks today in Castleford and there was a chap very passionate at the till. Told the previous customers how to wash down products and complemented me on me beard simultaneuosly. Bit of a motor mouth and not sure if he knew what he's on about but it all sounded good and kindof correct.
Once I got to the till with my Exped drybag I mentioned nikwax and goretex wash/proofing. As he was selling me the green and purple bottles (cos they were on offer) he asked what kind of goretex I had: Laminate or cloth... Mine is 2 or 3 layer laminate so I described itand he tells me I'm totally wrong in how I'm going about caring for me.
Somewhere in between all of this he stated his credentials as being ex product tester for Berghaus and had been at current Blacks store since it was owned by Berghaus (Castleford shopping Outlet at junction32) and when I asked why it didn't state what he's telling me on the Nikwax bottles he tells me that its cos the saleperson is meant to be divulging that info!!!
So, apparently according to him I can use the green nikwax bottle as its just the WashIn... But not the purple cos its a reproofer and using on laminate materials means it will line both sides (inner and outer) with the DWR (or whatever) and hence reduce performance. According to said chap, to reproof laminated goretex fabrics one needs to purchase the sprayOn stuff and a manequinn (he didn't say it in them terms but thats what he described but a 1D version). Then spray it on as it will keep the breathability from the inside intact.
Sorry for the long story.. But, I half of me is kinda embarassed for being so silly and not knowing this as it seems to make sense. My Lowe Alpine jacket of old used to breath well with its thin goretex material (older paclite I think) but the more I washed and reproofed it and the more 'boil In the bag' it became...
So... erm.. over to you. Whats your thoughts and have I just not been reading the proofing bottles (which dont really differentiate between cloth and laminated goretex) properly. Don't wanna knacker my new Mountain Equipment jacket if he's right (which didn't really come with said info this chap mentioned)...
Once I got to the till with my Exped drybag I mentioned nikwax and goretex wash/proofing. As he was selling me the green and purple bottles (cos they were on offer) he asked what kind of goretex I had: Laminate or cloth... Mine is 2 or 3 layer laminate so I described itand he tells me I'm totally wrong in how I'm going about caring for me.
Somewhere in between all of this he stated his credentials as being ex product tester for Berghaus and had been at current Blacks store since it was owned by Berghaus (Castleford shopping Outlet at junction32) and when I asked why it didn't state what he's telling me on the Nikwax bottles he tells me that its cos the saleperson is meant to be divulging that info!!!
So, apparently according to him I can use the green nikwax bottle as its just the WashIn... But not the purple cos its a reproofer and using on laminate materials means it will line both sides (inner and outer) with the DWR (or whatever) and hence reduce performance. According to said chap, to reproof laminated goretex fabrics one needs to purchase the sprayOn stuff and a manequinn (he didn't say it in them terms but thats what he described but a 1D version). Then spray it on as it will keep the breathability from the inside intact.
Sorry for the long story.. But, I half of me is kinda embarassed for being so silly and not knowing this as it seems to make sense. My Lowe Alpine jacket of old used to breath well with its thin goretex material (older paclite I think) but the more I washed and reproofed it and the more 'boil In the bag' it became...
So... erm.. over to you. Whats your thoughts and have I just not been reading the proofing bottles (which dont really differentiate between cloth and laminated goretex) properly. Don't wanna knacker my new Mountain Equipment jacket if he's right (which didn't really come with said info this chap mentioned)...