Nikwax TX.Direct - does it work?

[hughtrimble]

Evening all,

I've recently returned from a trip where the rain was torrential. I've not experienced rain like it before in the UK, so thank you Isle of Skye for the education.

As I knew the weather would be very wet, I went about Nikwax Tech Washing my rain gear, and then using TX.Direct, either wash-in or the spray-on depending on the garment. I had cleaned the detergent tray before washing the gear.

The stuff I had treated wetted out very quickly. Very little water beading to speak of.

This is not the first time I've had this happen. I previously used the Nikwax Cotton Proof spray on a cotton jacket, and it also didn't show any signs of beading.

Having a look online about this, it does not seem to be an experience unique to me.

Is there a better product out there to reproof gear? I've heard of Grangers, but I'm wondering if these supposedly more eco-friendly home re-proofers are just snake oil, and I should be sending my gear off to a professional company to do a bit more of an industrial process?

 

[MCNZ]

Did you 'set' the tx direct in any way? I've had ok results (I generally use spray on). I spray on to damp hard shell clothing then after a short air dry I set it in the tumble dryer.

 

[hughtrimble]

Did you 'set' the tx direct in any way? I've had ok results (I generally use spray on). I spray on to damp hard shell clothing then after a short air dry I set it in the tumble dryer.

Thank you for the suggestion MCNZ. I've seen that advice before to heat activate the Nikwax proofing, using a tumble dryer or iron. But this contradicts that Nikwax themselves say:

Easier Safer Drier - Nikwax NA

nikwax.com

Nikwax doesn't require heat to activate water-repellency, unlike fluorocarbon products

This therefore suggests that people find heat helps because it might revive an existing DWR coating applied by the manufacturer, but it's not something that can improve Nikwax's products which are water-based?

 

[Toddy]

I too find it needs 'set', and I too use the tumble drier

 

[hughtrimble]

I too find it needs 'set', and I too use the tumble drier

Hi Toddy, thank you also for sharing your experience. I've responded to MCNZ above about this, as it seems the heat might be reactivating the pre-existing DWR, but it can't impact the Nikwax products (according to Nikwax!).

 

[Toddy]

I have no idea then why it works, because the cagoules and water proof trousers were definitely letting in before I washed and reproofed them. I used the wash in stuff, hung the clothes outside to dry off and then ran them through the tumble drier....and they no longer let in.

I confess that though I like the Nikwax stuff, if I really, really need something to stay dry I use fabsil spray. I worked outdoors in truly awful conditions, and honestly keeping the rain and wind out is better than breathability at times, especially when the breathabilty is going to be compromised by mud anyway.

You really do need to wash the garments, and the washing machine, throughly before you proof though.

 

[hughtrimble]

I have no idea then why it works, because the cagoules and water proof trousers were definitely letting in before I washed and reproofed them. I used the wash in stuff, hung the clothes outside to dry off and then ran them through the tumble drier....and they no longer let in.

What would have been interesting is to have done the wash and then tumble dried, but without the TX.Direct proofer! It seems entirely possible that the tumble drying did the reactivating of the DWR on them. But of course it's also possible that it was the TX.Direct! I just wish I'd known about the tumble drying previously, and had the chance to try that before reproofing. Something to save for the future!

I confess that though I like the Nikwax stuff, if I really, really need something to stay dry I use fabsil spray. I worked outdoors in truly awful conditions, and honestly keeping the rain and wind out is better than breathability at times, especially when the breathabilty is going to be compromised by mud anyway.

You really do need to wash the garments, and the washing machine, throughly before you proof though.

May I ask what Fabsil product you recommend? It doesn't sound like something I'll use on a lot of my gear, but it sounds useful for some gear for less active use.

And yes on the cleaning of the washing machine. I have plenty of the TX.Direct left so I'll do some hand washing in future with the Tech Wash so that there's an even slimmer chance of standard detergent contamination, and then reproof.

So many variables!

 

[Toddy]

Fabsil is a spray on silicon waterproofing.

Fabsil | Tent Care | Waterproofing & Cleaning Outdoor Equipment

Supplier of cleaning & waterproofing products for tents, awnings, footwear, clothing, garden furniture, workwear, parasols, convertible soft-top roofs.

www.fabsil.com

It's ideal for stuff like tents, tarps, bags, sailing kit, heavy use outdoor clothing, or even just the hems of trousers to stop them soaking up the wet....when I was young, a looooong time ago, we used to use it on our bellbottom jeans
It's good for stuff like brollies and hoods or seams that always seem to leak.

It's not breathable though, so it compromises expensive breathable kit.

Good stuff, deals with mud wind, rain, salt water spray, etc.,

Lidl's make their own version and it works too. Not always available though.

M

 

[hughtrimble]

Fabsil is a spray on silicon waterproofing.

Fabsil | Tent Care | Waterproofing & Cleaning Outdoor Equipment

Supplier of cleaning & waterproofing products for tents, awnings, footwear, clothing, garden furniture, workwear, parasols, convertible soft-top roofs.

www.fabsil.com

It's ideal for stuff like tents, tarps, bags, sailing kit, heavy use outdoor clothing, or even just the hems of trousers to stop them soaking up the wet....when I was young, a looooong time ago, we used to use it on our bellbottom jeans
It's good for stuff like brollies and hoods or seams that always seem to leak.

It's not breathable though, so it compromises expensive breathable kit.

Good stuff, deals with mud wind, rain, salt water spray, etc.,

Lidl's make their own version and it works too. Not always available though.

M

That's great, thank you. Very good idea on the trouser ankle hems, I'm going to do that given zero breathability worries for those!

 

[Dan00001]

In my experience it works very well. I wash the detergent tray and put the washing machine on a drum clean prior to using the Nikwax Wash and then TX Direct straight after. I wash on synthetic, 20C (my washing machine doesn't do 30C) and slow spin.

Nikwax recommend to air dry, not to dry with heat. Something to do with the removal of pfas

 

[demented dale]

Evening all,

I've recently returned from a trip where the rain was torrential. I've not experienced rain like it before in the UK, so thank you Isle of Skye for the education.

As I knew the weather would be very wet, I went about Nikwax Tech Washing my rain gear, and then using TX.Direct, either wash-in or the spray-on depending on the garment. I had cleaned the detergent tray before washing the gear.

The stuff I had treated wetted out very quickly. Very little water beading to speak of.

This is not the first time I've had this happen. I previously used the Nikwax Cotton Proof spray on a cotton jacket, and it also didn't show any signs of beading.

Having a look online about this, it does not seem to be an experience unique to me.

Is there a better product out there to reproof gear? I've heard of Grangers, but I'm wondering if these supposedly more eco-friendly home re-proofers are just snake oil, and I should be sending my gear off to a professional company to do a bit more of an industrial process?

I use fabsil. In my experience I have never come across anything that even gets near. You can get it in spray cans. About £15 last one I bought x

 

[hughtrimble]

In my experience it works very well. I wash the detergent tray and put the washing machine on a drum clean prior to using the Nikwax Wash and then TX Direct straight after. I wash on synthetic, 20C (my washing machine doesn't do 30C) and slow spin.

Nikwax recommend to air dry, not to dry with heat. Something to do with the removal of pfas

Good to hear it works well in your experience. I'll retry various steps on some of the bits of gear and report back.

 

[hughtrimble]

I use fabsil. In my experience I have never come across anything that even gets near. You can get it in spray cans. About £15 last one I bought x

Cheers, good to have another recommendation for Fabsil.

 

[Dan00001]

I think the only problems with Fabsil are that it's not so good for the environment and it reduces breathability. I have used Fabsil on stuff, and the original even has a UV prohibitor but I wouldn't use it on walking coats where you want maximum breathability.

 

[Toodles]

I’ve used Nikwax products for years. Never had a problem. Just make sure you follow the instructions.

 

[Nice65]

And conversely, I’ve also used (and stopped using) Nikwax products for years because not a single one of them works. Instructions followed to the very letter on an expensive Paramo Halcon. It doesn’t let in water, but there’s zero beading on the fabric and it just wets through. Luckily Paramo stuff is made out of magic, so it’s fine.

Only the proper original boot wax that is no longer available ever worked. Sno-Seal filled that niche. The leather stuff is useless too, a pair of Helikon Bushman gloves treated 3 times were waterproof for a brief spell before absorbing water.

 

[Dan00001]

It's strange how it works for some but not others. I've recently washed and reproofed two second hand coats and my Paramo that I had at Christmas and they all bead water.

 

[Toddy]

Just as a wee aside; is your water hard or soft ?

 

[Dan00001]

I don't know who that question is aimed at, but I am in a soft water area.

 

[Dan00001]

Well 'soft to moderately hard' officially, but I've never noticed any limescale in my kettle.