waxing the unwaxed

[DanDan The man called Dan]

Can anyone tell me if waxing a jacket (as in barbour type wax) is a really bad idea?

Is there anything about the material used for wax jackets that makes it suitable for waxing?

The jacket I have in mind is 50cotton/50 polyester.

What do you think?

Dan

 

[Matt.S]

Can you see light through the fabric if you hold it up?

 

[DanDan The man called Dan]

Can you see light through the fabric if you hold it up?

I haven't got it yet but I had an m65 jacket in mind. I suspect the answer is no

 

[The Cumbrian]

A coating of Greenland wax will make it water repellent, without adversely affecting the breathability. It's easy to apply ( especially if you have a tumble dryer ), and it won't look "waxed" when it's done.

Cheers, Michael.

 

[Chopper]

If you are looking to waterproof your jacket try Fabsil http://www.grangers.co.uk/productview.cfm?ID=20

I have done several combat jackets and trousers and it works a treat.

Just hang it on the washing line on a good day and give it a god soaking, let it dry and job done.

 

[Laurentius]

My brother has waxed an old DPM combat jacket with the rinds of dutch cheese dissolved in parrafin.

I can't vouch for it's effectiveness but it is original.

 

[DanDan The man called Dan]

My brother has waxed an old DPM combat jacket with the rinds of dutch cheese dissolved in parrafin.

I can't vouch for it's effectiveness but it is original.

I applaud the inginuity but surely it must whiff a bit eh..

 

[andybysea]

Ive waxed a Dutch Nato o/g jacket with barbour thornproof dressing and its worked a treat, ive been out in really wet weather and nothings come through,two point though, this jacket is a double layer jacket which i believe helped as its stopped excess wax coming through, and point two if your gonna do it it needs to be done properly, i covered the kitchen floor in plastic sheeting heated the wax to a liquid and rubbed it in to the cloth,making sure all stiching and seams where well covered,then used a hairdryer to melt wax well into fibre's.
It doesnt smell bad and does'nt rub off onto other things,the fabric looks and feels like a proper heavy weight wax jacket.

 

[DanDan The man called Dan]

Ive waxed a Dutch Nato o/g jacket with barbour thornproof dressing and its worked a treat, ive been out in really wet weather and nothings come through,two point though, this jacket is a double layer jacket which i believe helped as its stopped excess wax coming through, and point two if your gonna do it it needs to be done properly, i covered the kitchen floor in plastic sheeting heated the wax to a liquid and rubbed it in to the cloth,making sure all stiching and seams where well covered,then used a hairdryer to melt wax well into fibre's.
It doesnt smell bad and does'nt rub off onto other things,the fabric looks and feels like a proper heavy weight wax jacket.

That sounds good, what did you use to apply the wax, cloth? sponge? brush?

 

[DavidJT]

I have read that the main thing is that it should be very tightly woven fabric.

 

[andybysea]

Dan i warmed up the wax to a liquid, used a 1inch paint brush painted it on in small patches then rubbed it in with a cloth whilst still hot, then when all was finished went over with a hairdryer.
Davidjt the jacket i used does have a good tight weeve, i will post a pic just off to take one.

here's a pic,

you can see the colour change by looking at the inner this was jacket original colour, jacket cost me 10 quid unissued and wax 7 quid so not bad, if you do it apply it well rub in and hairdry to blend and try not to miss any,plus go over stiching and seem's with a little more wax.

 

[DanDan The man called Dan]

Dan i warmed up the wax to a liquid, used a 1inch paint brush painted it on in small patches then rubbed it in with a cloth whilst still hot, then when all was finished went over with a hairdryer.
Davidjt the jacket i used does have a good tight weeve, i will post a pic just off to take one.

you can see the colour change by looking at the inner this was jacket original colour, jacket cost me 10 quid unissued and wax 7 quid so not bad, if you do it apply it well rub in and hairdry to blend and try not to miss any,plus go over stiching and seem's with a little more wax.

Thanks, I've ordered a cheepo M65 jacket to give this a go. The only thing is the jacket I've ordered is already treated with quarpel?? I can't see this stuff causing a problem right?

Dan

 

[Matt.S]

Perhaps a little late, but I think interesting and perhaps useful to someone:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=37489

 

[maddave]

Thanks, I've ordered a cheepo M65 jacket to give this a go. The only thing is the jacket I've ordered is already treated with quarpel?? I can't see this stuff causing a problem right?

Dan

No should be fine Dan, but don't skimp get the proper barbour thornproof dressing and follow the instructions on the tin. You'll have a jacket that will laugh at the worst of british weather, that and a wide brimmed hat and you'll be the driest bloke on the hill

 

[DanDan The man called Dan]

Perhaps a little late, but I think interesting and perhaps useful to someone:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=37489

Great read thanks

 

[DanDan The man called Dan]

No should be fine Dan, but don't skimp get the proper barbour thornproof dressing and follow the instructions on the tin. You'll have a jacket that will laugh at the worst of british weather, that and a wide brimmed hat and you'll be the driest bloke on the hill

I'll be ordering some shortly. A tin is less than a tenner which was a uprise considering the rest of barbours pricelist.

 

[Melonfish]

hmmm, i wonder what this would do to a russian Gorka jacket? its waterproof abilities have gone down the pan in the past year.

in fact yeah i'm gonna get a tin of this and see what it does, anybody know whether it'll annihilate camo patterns or just make thinks darker?

 

[andybysea]

Just make them darker(imagine what it looks like straight out of the washing machine)it will keep that darker apperance, but like i said earlier once its on and dried(so to speak) it doesnt smell and doesnt stick to other things.

here's a couple of pics(sorry for quality) 1st shows out side of jacket showing wax finish and colour,2nd shows un waxed inside of jacket.

 

[DanDan The man called Dan]

we'll I've just finished the body of the M65 jacket and the results look brilliant. Ran out of wax though and have to get some more to do the arms.

Now I'm thinking of going wax crazy and the question is now shall I do some trousers to match?

 

[andybysea]

Hmmmm maybe tempted to do that myself.