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I’ve tried many products to renew the Durable Waterproof Coating (DWC) on my former nylon rider gear from Alpinestars and Macna and again more recently for my Merlin Cordura rider gear.
Achieving a DWC is essential to getting rider gear with Gore-Tex or similar zip in rain liners to work. Once the outer layer gets waterlogged then water can move to the inside of the outer layer then run down between that and the Gore-Tex liner. Once at the bottom of the liner it will transfer inside giving you a wet stomach and then a wet crouch. Further if the Gore-Tex liner cannot breath due to a waterlogged outer layer sitting up against it then in my experience in a few hours the inner will become clammy and following that your shirt will be damp.
When it comes to the nylon gear I tried the two main products from Nikwax, their TX direct spray on and wash in treatments but was disappointed with both. When exposed to rain my rider gear beaded up for no more than 30 minutes.
For nylon gear the only treatment I found effective out of eight I tried was this one from a brand only available in Japan. When applied to my Macna gear it would stop the outer layer from becoming waterlogged for at least one full day of light rain or 2-3 days if just passing through showers then I would need to buy another can and reapply. It was cheap in Japan, 400Y from DIY shops. Without this solution I never could have toured 110,000km there since Japan has no dry season and every tour experienced multiple rainy days.
That Macna gear was stolen by Australia post couriers when shipped. I am actually in the process of buying laminated rider gear for touring Japan and other wet and cold destinations. Laminated gear does not have the same issues as zip in liner gear. But laminated gear is not well suited for warm weather as it does not breath as much so for most places I ride I will be sticking with my existing Merlin gear which has proven to be excellent in mild to warm and hot weather.
My Merlin gear is Cordura not nylon. I chose this because it breaths unlike nylon gear. It achieves a CE AA abrasion rating so is no less strong (performed well in my recent NZ accident). To renew the original Durable Waterproof Coating on this gear I have tried wash in treatment from Nikwax and their TX Direct spray on treatment as well spray on from a camping supply store (BCF) and also spray on treatment from Grangers and another from a outdoor clothing store but nothing has worked well. Then I came across this treatment for waxed cotton.
My Merlin outfit is not waxed like Bellstaff gear however this treatment, when applied generously, has given my Cordura riding gear a better water resist coating than other treatments. Initially it is a milky white coating when sprayed on wet and this dries to an almost invisible coating but with a slight sheen. It worked well in China when I encountered showers and also for riding through showers in New Zealand. However I predict it will only last for a limited time, a couple of outings with showers similar to the original DWC on my Merlin gear then will need to be reapplied which I just did after washing my gear.
That limited performance is the best I can achieve with this Cordura gear but as long as the DWC works for passing showers, drizzle or short cloud bursts I might be passing through on tour I am satisfied. If facing a big wet ride I would never rely on just zip in liners and will don my Froggs Toggs to be ‘double bagged’. But putting on rain gear on side of road is no fun so if the DWC can let me continue on for some rain then that is something I find helpful.
Every garment responds differently to these treatments so I cannot vouch how it will work on your particular item but so far this has been working ok for me.
This formula for cotton I have not seen on sale in Australia. I am buying mine from Amazon and it is shipped from USA (free shipping for Prime members with no extra payable – but it takes long time).
