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How to Reapply Durable Water Repellent Finish to a Waterproof Jacket

Introduction

Your jacket has got your back. It follows you on adventures, keeping you warm and dry even through the stormiest weather. So return the favor—keep your jacket healthy and strong by reapplying the DWR (durable water repellent) finish to your jacket. This guide will show you how to test whether your jacket needs to be treated and how to treat it. You'll want to start with a clean jacket. Dirt, oil, and use can wear the DWR finish off your jacket, allowing water to penetrate into the fabric. Fortunately, reapplying a DWR finish is easy. A trip through the wash is all it takes to give your jacket new life—making it ready for rain or shine.

What you need

  1. How to Reapply Durable Water Repellent Finish to a Waterproof Jacket, How to Test Outerwear for Water Repellency: step 1, image 1 of 2 How to Reapply Durable Water Repellent Finish to a Waterproof Jacket, How to Test Outerwear for Water Repellency: step 1, image 2 of 2

    • Lay your jacket on a table or flat surface.

    • Spray the jacket with water.

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  2. How to Reapply Durable Water Repellent Finish to a Waterproof Jacket: step 2, image 1 of 2 How to Reapply Durable Water Repellent Finish to a Waterproof Jacket: step 2, image 2 of 2

    • Observe the water.

    • If the water sinks in and absorbs into the material, your jacket is "wetting out". The coating can either be "reset" by washing and drying, or by reapplying the coating as shown in this guide.

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  3. How to Reapply Durable Water Repellent Finish to a Waterproof Jacket: step 3, image 1 of 3 How to Reapply Durable Water Repellent Finish to a Waterproof Jacket: step 3, image 2 of 3 How to Reapply Durable Water Repellent Finish to a Waterproof Jacket: step 3, image 3 of 3

    • If the water beads up, staying on the outside of the garment like dew drops, your jacket does not need to have the durable water repellent finish reapplied.

    • Water droplets should roll right off of the jacket when you pick it up.

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  5. How to Reapply Durable Water Repellent Finish to a Waterproof Jacket, How to Reapply Durable Water Repellent Finish to a Waterproof Jacket: step 4, image 1 of 3 How to Reapply Durable Water Repellent Finish to a Waterproof Jacket, How to Reapply Durable Water Repellent Finish to a Waterproof Jacket: step 4, image 2 of 3 How to Reapply Durable Water Repellent Finish to a Waterproof Jacket, How to Reapply Durable Water Repellent Finish to a Waterproof Jacket: step 4, image 3 of 3

    • Zip up all the zippers on your jacket.

    • Place your jacket into the washer.

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  6. How to Reapply Durable Water Repellent Finish to a Waterproof Jacket: step 5, image 1 of 2 How to Reapply Durable Water Repellent Finish to a Waterproof Jacket: step 5, image 2 of 2

    • Add durable water repellency treatment to the wash, following the instructions on the bottle.

    • More than one technical garment can be washed at once, but do not exceed more than half of the size of the washing machine drum

    • Only use the bare minimum amount of DWR treatment needed.

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  7. How to Reapply Durable Water Repellent Finish to a Waterproof Jacket: step 6, image 1 of 3 How to Reapply Durable Water Repellent Finish to a Waterproof Jacket: step 6, image 2 of 3 How to Reapply Durable Water Repellent Finish to a Waterproof Jacket: step 6, image 3 of 3

    • Set the load size according to the relative number of garments

    • Set the water temperature to Warm or Cold

    • Run the washer on a Regular cycle

    • If possible, set an extra rinse cycle

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  8. How to Reapply Durable Water Repellent Finish to a Waterproof Jacket: step 7, image 1 of 1

    • Run a separate rinse cycle if the machine did not have the option in the last step

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  9. How to Reapply Durable Water Repellent Finish to a Waterproof Jacket: step 8, image 1 of 2 How to Reapply Durable Water Repellent Finish to a Waterproof Jacket: step 8, image 2 of 2

    • Take the jacket out of the washer.

    • Hang to air dry if you have the time, otherwise put it in the dryer

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  10. How to Reapply Durable Water Repellent Finish to a Waterproof Jacket: step 9, image 1 of 3 How to Reapply Durable Water Repellent Finish to a Waterproof Jacket: step 9, image 2 of 3 How to Reapply Durable Water Repellent Finish to a Waterproof Jacket: step 9, image 3 of 3

    • Place the garment into the dryer either wet or after having air-dried

    • Set the dryer to at least 20 minutes of Tumble Dry low

    • A garment that goes in soaking wet may take more than 20 minutes to dry

    • If you don't have a dryer, use an iron on a low setting to heat-set the water repellency treatment.

    • Start the dryer

    • The heat of the dryer is crucial to setting the new DWR coating

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Finish Line

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iRobot

Member since: 09/24/09

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3 Comments

Can you recommend a durable water repellency treatment? I have tried to treat my rain jacket in the past and have been disappointed in the results.

Andrea Jeffery - Reply

If fabric becomes wet, it loses its performance and breathability indeed. Therefore, most technical garments contain a tiny layer of Durable Water Repellency (DWR) coating outside. This layer of liquid prevents dirt, grease, oil, and water as well. But, usually, protecting this essential fabric layer becomes very difficult yet.

Therefore, some people use the best waterproofing spray for the outdoor fabric to protect this liquid coating. These waterproofing sprays protect our footwear, and other clothing stuffs from water damage. Though this spray’s main function is to prevent water and form a protective barrier against sun and dirt, it has more benefits than one. These waterproofing sprays improve the performance of your fabrics.

For More Information & Products Review and Buying Guide Visit - https://www.bestoutdoorreview.com/best-w...

Best Outdoor Review - Reply

I’ve used every DWR product available, none of them work

DaveWave - Reply

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