Nikwax waterproofing.

[anon]

From: alcraw62 (Original Message) Sent: 17/04/2004 13:21

Just a message to others wanting a waterproofing that actually does what it says on the tin....

I have used Nikwax a few times and find it to be excellent, and being a biker on the west coast of Scotland, it has been put to the test on many occassions. My waterproof jacket and trousers are both Heine Gericke, and once a year I stick them in the washing machine with Nikwax "tech wash", and then occassionally give them a spray with Nikwax "direct waterproofing" to keep them waterproof. They do a full range of stuff for bikers gear. Their website is at:
www.nikwax.co.uk

Top tip: after using nikwax in the washing machine, unless you want a serious ear-bashing from the Mrs, put the empty machine through a hot wash cycle with detergent, to clear away the nikwax.

From: Citrüx Sent: 18/04/2004 16:48

Yes, I find this excellent too. Tried it with my winter gloves though and it's knackered the wicking layer and leaves my hands sweaty - and it's harder to stop the linings oming out when taking them off. (I know, I ignored those instructions).

From: Inquisitive323 Sent: 23/10/2005 12:17

Whatever you do, don't spray nikwax onto the arse of your waterproofs. I did and now I slide around on the seat like it's Ice... .

Stu.

From: ianboydsnr Sent: 23/10/2005 13:55

top tip, those doing gloves with the waterproof lining, only do the backs of the hands and fingers, this allows the rest of the glove to breath, whilst stopping the vast majority of rain from even reaching the waterproof lining.

From: GrenMatta Sent: 29/11/2005 19:12

Recently been told that Scotchgard - the stuff they use on carpets to make them stain resistant - is b****y brilliant at waterproofing textile bike gear. Haven't tried it myself yet, so I can't give a definite recommendation.......
Gren

From: Chirodave Sent: 09/05/2006 19:38

The anti slip rubber mesh that can be used under floor mats & available at Halford & caravan shops for stopping stuff sliding about your car (hiss) boot or caravan cabinaets (HISS BOO), is brill for protecting your tank when fitting a magnetic tank bag and for stopping your nylon waterproofs sliding about on the seat.
Costs about £10 a roll.

From: NocturnalSassy Sent: 09/05/2006 20:33

ive got some antislip matting for under me tank bag too and Ive stapled a double section on the rear seat for me pillion to see if it worked.... and it does

Got mine from Boyes, they sell it in the car section for about £6 a big peice

Oh and also a big fan of nixwax, tried the Graingers extreme waterproofing spray and found no difference, used the nixwax spray on (non propellant as well!) on the back of me penguin gloves and all over me tank bag and none of that rain on Sunday got thro... First time ever to not get wet hands

Ived also found the easiest way to reproof a jacket is to wash in using txdirect as it gets in places the spray might but yes, wash the washine machine after youve finished and last time I even threw my armoured leather summer gloves and its left them lovely and soft and waxy too

From: TomMcQ_01 Sent: 10/05/2006 09:27

Thanks for starting this topic because I'd never heard of NikWax before and I was looking for something suitable for my leather jacket. I don't wear it too often, but now that the warmer weather is upon us, I figured its about time to give it some use. Nikwax will make sure it keeps me dry during those rare summer-showers we have.

Just ordered some!

TOM

From: NocturnalSassy Sent: 10/05/2006 15:36

Ooh for leather...now I havent done that yet... but its on my list..Im hoping that I can make my leathers a bit more waterproof as theyre definately not atm.

My OH did his, he soaked his jacket in the shower tray, washed it with the nikwax leather cleaner and treated it with the leather restorer and its come up spanky. As its yellow and black, his was a bit grubby after nearly 2 seasons use and its saved him buying a new jacket!

You can also apply the tinned wax product - best to warm either the wax or the leather before applying to help it soak in and it should be fully proofed after that

but be careful if you apply it to your posterior region, as it will make you slide on the seat

Let us know how you get on

From: Beebs-TDM9 Sent: 11/05/2006 14:07

Looks good. I think I'll have to give it a try because I got wet through on Sunday with my textile jacket and trousers. I've only just managed to dry them off.

Al, when you say you've applied them to your waterproof jacket and trousers are they an oversuit or you're actual armoured gear? If it's the latter I didn't think you could put them in the washing machine.

Cheers,

Paul

From: ©Doofer Sent: 11/05/2006 20:10

Beebs,

The armoured gear can usually go through the washing machine, but you have to remove the armour first, the main problem is that washing with normal detergent causes them to lose waterproofing, but products such as Nikwax Direct and TechWash prevent this and in some causes restore the waterproofing

Doof

From: NocturnalSassy Sent: 12/05/2006 19:46

Hiya Paul, yup what mme Doof said and as you know I ride in all weathers and wont put up with leaking gear

Ive got the HG SAFE Cruise suit and trust me at that price I wouldnt wash it if I thought it werent right...ohhhhhh no!

If you dont wash goretex it stops working properly anyway... I think Ive already posted the bumf somewhere else on here, but yes, take all the armour out, fasten all the velcros up out of the way and remove the liners (they can just be washed in any detergent). Wash in the techwash to clean (green top for clean) and then put in the required amount of TXdirect in on the softener cycle (purple lid for proofing). Dont over spin, dry hanging near a radiator (but not on it) / in a warm room and watch out for all the drips. I got mine on the line the other day and it was dry ready to wear the next day (dont leave it too long to dry else it goes manky)

Also remember to wash the washing machine afterwards if you use the txdirect as its a little waxy..else youre likely to get an earbashing!

There are sprays, but I prefer the wash in as it seems to be more thorough getting into all the nooks and crannies. Try to use the nikwax stuff though, Ive used other companies products but they didnt work as well

Nikwax have a very interesting website, showing which products to use and on what and if you enter the competition you get a free sample of the techwash cleaner
www.nikwax.co.uk/en-gb/webquiz/index.php

ps the site also says if your jacket is really grubby, you can wash in ordinary detergent AS LONG AS you follow with the techwash and then the TXdirect, but Ive not needed or fancied that to be honest. Where my jacket was a bit grubby, I used a soft brush and applied some extra techwash and it came out clean and the water just rolls off.

Hope this helps me dear

Al.

From: Beebs-TDM9 Sent: 13/05/2006 19:52

Thanks for the advice girls. I didn't know you could take the armour out. Just checked my gear and I can. Excellent.

Thanks again,

Paul

From: hairy_as_video_man Sent: 13/05/2006 22:17

Thanks for the washing instructions Nocturnal - just got the twin-pack Nikwax in the post today and if you hadn't have written the instructions up I'd be left experimenting as to how to go about it as it really doesn't tell you on the packet (pretty poor show by Nikwax as they sell them as a twin pack so you would expect them to tell you how to use them both together).
Cheers!
JK

From: NocturnalSassy Sent: 14/05/2006 23:27

Glad to help JK

Poor show on nikwax not giving instructions... their website is pretty good though

From: Beebs-TDM9 Sent: 14/05/2006 23:35

Ally,

From someone who doesn't use a washing machine much do you put the Nikwax in the soap dispenser of the washing machine or straight in the drum.

Thanks again

Paul

From: TJ63? Sent: 15/05/2006 11:27

Put it in the soap dispenser, but make sure you clean all soap residue off it first.


Trevor

From: NocturnalSassy Sent: 15/05/2006 15:11

lol what he said and good point about cleaning off any detergent residue, not normally a problem if you use the ball in the drum....

The other bottle (purple top) goes in the seperate section for the fabric softener (careful,,, theres usually 3 sections, one for a prewash, one for the main wash and another for the fabric conditioner)

If in doubt, run the washing machine thro its cycle using the techwash, then rewind to the softener cycle and then pour the txdirect into the soap drawer and set it away ONLY on that last part... theres no need to rewash the garment

Im sure you'll be fine...

From: Beebs-TDM9 Sent: 15/05/2006 19:34

All done

Many thanks!

From: Inquisitive323 Sent: 22/05/2006 10:12

I agree.

I warterproofed my fabric trousers with spray on NW and ended up sliding around all over the place. Stuck some of this down (5 quid a big roll from the bike show) and now I stay in place on the seat .

From: Beebs-TDM9 Sent: 22/07/2006 00:22

I was just wondering has anyone had any allergic reaction after using Nikwax?

I keep developing an irritable rash on my arms which seems to last about 2-3 days after wearing my jacket. Never had it before - so figured perhaps it could be since washing with Nikwax?

Cheers,

Paul

From: NocturnalSassy Sent: 22/07/2006 00:56

whoops

I feel incredibly guilty now as I was so enthusiastic about the product as a waterproofer

now you mention it, Ian has been complaining that his gloves are irritating his dermatitis on his hands since he washed them in nikwax.

Ive used it loads and never had a problem and consider my skin to be sensitive (i have to be careful which soaps/ detergents etc I use) so its odd that Ive not had a problem too

is it where the jacket is in direct contact with your skin whilst say wearing a tee shirt you notice it?

if it wasnt so warm you could simply wash the liner in normal detergent as that doesnt need to be proofed but I bet youve taken it out

Strongly suggest you contact nikwax and see what they say, their addy is on the website. Let us know how you get on and I'll ask Ian to do the same

From: ©Doofer Sent: 22/07/2006 11:43

Beebs,

I suffer from problems with the heat, my arms in particular come out in a rash, riding my bike in this weather aggrivates the problem. The rash you are experiencing could be sweat rash caused by the heat or an allergic reaction to the Nikwax, its hard to say.

You could try wearing a thin long sleeved top under your jacket, this will reduce contact with the lining of the jacket, not only stopping the Nikwax washed fabric from touching your skin, but also acting as a wicking layer which moved the sweat away from your skin and stops the lining of your jacket sticking to you.

Doof

From: NocturnalSassy Sent: 22/07/2006 14:28

good thinking mme Doof

I found camping shops tend to sell the wicking gear...base layer stuff... much cheaper than bike shops and it seems to work well even in this heatwave under me leathers.

It also washes and dries very quickly if youre going away on the bike so you can wash and wear again the next day, is light to pack and doesnt crumple.

Theres an outlet in Ambleside we often go to.. Gaynor Sports thats where i got some of mine from at discounted price, but Trekmates does a nice range and they have a website

The bike shop in Matlock Bath has the trekmate leggings which I wear them to keep warm in winter and cool in summer and the tops are pretty nice too - esp as they do a mens and ladies fit about £8 iirc there compared to £12 in Yeomans when they had them.. (but theyve since sold out)

Was tempted to go back to Matlock just to get some more tbh

HTH

Ally

From: Beebs-TDM9 Sent: 22/07/2006 22:01

Thanks girls.

Where I've got the problem is where the inside of my jacket is in contact with the inner-side of my arms near my elbow. Both left and right are affected. Linings have been in the wardrobe since March so can't take anything out. Agreed will try to get a long-sleeved top.

I've had this kit for two years now and haven't had a problem up until now. I agree it's probably aggrevated by sweat as I've only had this problem recently, but seems strange I haven't had it in previous years and it's only this year that I've used Nikwax.

I've had a small eczema problem in the past but now I'm free of it... however my brother suffers with it quite a lot (not used Nikwax), so perhaps I'm still vulnerable (genetics and all that) andit is just another episode of eczema that I'm getting.

I'm not having any problems with my trousers though... touch wood.

Cheers,

Paul

From: FazerM40Man1 Sent: 22/07/2006 23:21

"I'm not having any problems with my trousers though... touch wood."

............. you tinker .

From: Anne_Put-put Sent: 22/09/2006 17:05

OK folks,
I have an offer for you, so long as managers etc do not object.

I currently have a trade account with Nikwax, for stocking horse rug wash and rug water-proof (again excellent products).

If there is any interest from the club I am happy to stock the Techwash etc just for the club members to buy at reduced rate and if someone can tell me how / who to send charity donations I'm sure we can incorporate that too.

I'm thinking something along the lines of selling at wholesale cost + precentage to the clubs charity. Oh plus postage, which could be the killer.

Anyone interested in me looking into this a bit further?

Anne

From: ©Doofer Sent: 22/09/2006 20:30

Sounds like a good idea to me Anne,

Look into it and let us know how you get on, we may be able to get around the postage costs by delivering it at runs and sending with members who happen to be travelling in the right direction at the time (seems to work well with other items)

Will you need an idea of demand to help you decide whether it is feasible?

You can very probably put me down for 2 bottles of TX Direct Wash In and 4 bottles of TechWash a year (maybe more) as all 3 of us wear cordura style jackets & trousers.

I know I would be happy to match the current cost from a shop, maybe a little more knowing that a percentage will go to the charities and that it saves all the hassle of trying to source the stuff (I had awful trouble finding the TX Direct around here until I pursuaded one of the bike shops to stock it)

Doof

From: Anne_Put-put Sent: 03/10/2006 00:19

OK Nikwax:
I've attached a file (excel) which shows the RRP for each product, what I can sell them on to club members for and how much will go to the clubs charity of each product sold.

Please note everything over and above cost + VAT+ postage will be passed on to the club's chosen charity.

I don't yet know how much the postage will be on these items, but I can up-date the spreadsheet with this information as time goes by.

If there's enough interest in each item I will get an order placed this month.

So let me know what you're wanting/needing. I will post an order form and postal address later in the week when I've managed to sort one out.

Hope this helps everyone, as you've all been such a big help to me so far.

Thanks
Anne

P.S.
Can someone point me to a direct vein into to club's charity fund so that I can get the donations to the appropriate place without sending money/cheques all over the country.

From: Anne_Put-put Sent: 03/10/2006 00:20

Ooops, Sorry.
The attachment didn't!

Try again......
Divvy Club NikWax 031006.xls

www.msnusers.com/YamahaDiversions/msgattachments/4760

From: Beebs-TDM9 Sent: 03/10/2006 10:02

Anne,

Fiasco's your man for the charity work...

Just to add a bit of an update to my post (#23). I have since been fine and had no problems, so it could have been down to the extreme heat that was causing me grief. I think the last time I suffered was probably on the Stones run which was early August and it was very hot and humid on the Saturday.

Cheers,

Paul