C-Forum

I've got a bunch of paddling gear from paddling jackets to paddling pants to dry tops that have the waterproof membrane and seam tape that is failing. This isn't new gear, but it's in good shape, almost always kept hanging and not wadded up. I keep it in the garage for the most part where it gets hot, but not *that* hot. The fabric and stitching is all sound, it's just the coating - some of it is peeling off like a bad sunburn, some bubbles up, some just has splits. Even one of my tents is doing it, and not the oldest one...

I know stuff doesn't last forever, but I also hate to throw stuff away just because a layer of material a fraction of a millimeter thick is failing...

Any ideas? Any way to "recoat" nylon?

I haven't used the stuff, but if you go to www.rei.com and search on "waterproofing" you'll find an assortment of different spray-on, wash-in, and brush-on waterproofing treatments for tents and waterproof gear. If you try it, let me know how it works as I have the same problem with some of my older stuff.

John

This looks to be worth a shot :

http://www.aquaseal.com/polycoat.html

Aquaseal Polycoat is one of several products listed in the REI online catalog that I referenced. I'm sure that there are other dealers that sell it too.

John

I looked at the other products - most were spray on and several were "wash in". I've used some of those with jackets (goretex and non-goretex) to refresh the water repellency of the outer layer (the "DWR") with mixed results. They work for a while to make water bead up, but wear off sooner than later. None stood up to immersion.

After digging into the details (manufacturer's sites) on several of those products at REI, its Poly Coat that sounds most like a replacement for the original, rubbery, waterproof coating. That might work when fully immersed... I'll probably go with REI as nobody local stocks anything useful... I'm going to give it shot and report what happens. I'd never noticed it before - thanks for getting me pointed in that direction.

Aquaseal Polycoat works well if carefully applied.

You use it on the fabric side opposite that which was coated when the garment's material was made. (The new coating adheres equally to the material and the coating which is failing. The new coating will flake off with the old one if you try to recoat the original membrane.)

It is finicky about drying (about 48 hrs @ 70 degrees) before being folded and you will need some talc to finish the job to avoid unsightly creases in the material. As usual, two very light coats are better than one thick application. Pay attention to runs and air bubbles to assure excellent waterproofing and appearance.)

http://www.aquaseal.com/polycoat.html

Yano, sbroam, you should move out of that hot, humid hades hole. Columbia weather will steam the coating off anything.

ezwater wrote:Yano, sbroam, you should move out of that hot, humid hades hole. Columbia weather will steam the coating off anything.

Yeah, Atlanta is a lot cooler Oh well, no snow to shovel and not near the traffic as some of y'all put up with. And whitewater 10 minutes from the office...