Waterproofing a SAS Smock?

  • Hey Guest, Early bird pricing on the Summer Moot (29th July - 10th August) available until April 6th, we'd love you to come. PLEASE CLICK HERE to early bird price and get more information.

Forest fella

Full Member
Jul 2, 2008
2,890
211
Gloucestershire
A neighbour just asked me if I knew of a Good Method / Product to waterproof his Smock, I told him get a Gore-tex / wet gear or a poncho but he's looking for a Spray or something?.
Any idea's
cheers
 

Wildgoose

Full Member
May 15, 2012
776
429
Middlesex
I’ve used Nikwax wash in before and grangers spray on/pump. Both improved the water resistance of a wind proof smock but neither made it properly waterproof
 

packalot

Member
Feb 18, 2020
22
18
Alba
+1 on the Fabsil. used it on a clapped-out British DPM smock and it made it nicely water resistant. certainly not water proof, but it gave the old thing a good second life insofar as my needs go.

i've since been in touch with the Granger folks -- makers of Fabsil -- and they told me that i should have used their Fabsil Gold which is apparently formulated for garments whereas the vanilla Fabsil is for tarps and tents and suchlike.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Perci117

Erbswurst

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Mar 5, 2018
4,079
1,766
Berlin
I would use a cotton tent impregnation.
But it washes out.

Why doesn't he buy a new old stock Austrian army Goretex jacket for 50 €?

They suddenly throw them behind you every corner.
"Bundesheer Feldjacke, leicht, M75."
Looks like US army M65.
 

John Fenna

Lifetime Member & Maker
Oct 7, 2006
23,106
2,833
66
Pembrokeshire
I make my own cotton smocks and either use Fabsil or Nikwax Rug Proof (I need air curing as I do not have a tumble drier...)
Both make a big difference to water resistance without adversely affecting drying times.
I was caught in a 20min snow shower today in one of my Rug proofed smocks today and stayed bone dry.PB150003.JPG
 

Silverclaws2

Nomad
Dec 30, 2019
287
155
56
Devon
Well I waxed mine with the home made 'Greenland' wax, to report it works and works well.

The smock can be kind of stiff when it's just been waxed and when it's cold, but wearing it soon eases that up and if it's got any 'decoration' on the smock like say camouflage well the wax does tend to make the colours darker.

The first I tested it to be pleased with the waxing was whilst high level walking in a rainstorm of which was coming in sideways, to find no wind nor damp came through to consider the wax not only stops water but makes the garment more windproof.
 

John Fenna

Lifetime Member & Maker
Oct 7, 2006
23,106
2,833
66
Pembrokeshire
nice work! i'd like to have a go at a project like that. do you have a pattern you can share or point me to?
Thank you :) I actually make my own patterns, cut specifically to my own size and shape so have no pattern to share per se ...
However there may be something of interest to you here.... https://bushcraftuk.com/community/t...activities-clothing-facsimile-edition.117324/

My apologies to the OP for the hijack :)

I have also made my own "Greenland Wax" 50/50 parafin wax and bees wax and used that to good effect but find it makes things a bit stiff if you over do it - it is difficult to over do Fabsil or Nikwax wash in :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: packalot

TLM

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Nov 16, 2019
3,092
1,624
Vantaa, Finland
There is a choice to be made, water repellent or water impermeable. They are really two different things, about all sprays and other surface treatments cause repellency, waxes -depending- cause both.

Repellants are low surface energy substances which cause water to form easily movable drops on the surface. They mostly also let the fabric breath fairly well.
 
Nov 9, 2022
8
1
70
North Yorkshire
I make my own cotton smocks and either use Fabsil or Nikwax Rug Proof (I need air curing as I do not have a tumble drier...)
Both make a big difference to water resistance without adversely affecting drying times.
I was caught in a 20min snow shower today in one of my Rug proofed smocks today and stayed bone dry.View attachment 65948
Is this stuff safe for use on human clothing or is it just cheaper more effective than the nikwax other alternatives, easier to apply?
 

John Fenna

Lifetime Member & Maker
Oct 7, 2006
23,106
2,833
66
Pembrokeshire
It basically is the same, just formulated to air cure rather than needing tumble drying to cure. It is all wax emulsions when you get to the basic idea....
 
Nov 9, 2022
8
1
70
North Yorkshire
Seen some poor reviews of the nikwax cotton proof but that may be due to the material treated being a polycotton mix,i belive the company states suitable for poly cotton mixes but I guess its about what the proportions are.
 

z_bumbi

Tenderfoot
Apr 22, 2016
94
46
Linköping, Sweden
Seen some poor reviews of the nikwax cotton proof but that may be due to the material treated being a polycotton mix,i belive the company states suitable for poly cotton mixes but I guess its about what the proportions are.

I think they have changed it somewhat as I have used it for great effect on both 100% cotton and 50/50 but in modern times I don't get the same effekt.
My solution is nike-wax in the washer and some spray used in combination. Often only spraying parts that is more exposed to rain as hood, shoulders or for trousers the lower part of the legs (great if walking in tall wet grass etc).
 
Nov 9, 2022
8
1
70
North Yorkshire
So are you using the nikwax stuff thats designed for goretex and similar fabrics where a DWR coating is required? I wasn't aware this stuff was suited to cotton and poly cotton mixes.The nikwax rug proof stuff has been mentioned as a decent alternative to the cotton proof stuff.I am confused maybe an enquiry to nikwax customer support will clarify the situation.
 
Nov 9, 2022
8
1
70
North Yorkshire
It basically is the same, just formulated to air cure rather than needing tumble drying to cure. It is all wax emulsions when you get to the basic idea....
Hi John do you use the same amounts of water and product with the rug proof pretty sure a smock will be smaller than a horse blanket so was thinking less product possibly.Sounds like a good way of doing the job and work out cheaper than cotton proof.
 

BCUK Shop

We have a a number of knives, T-Shirts and other items for sale.

SHOP HERE