Nikwax

“Does the Nikwax water repellant used for ALL fabrics (wool, etc..) work like they say. I find it hard to believe. Usually I just get wet. (I don't melt)”

“So what do they say?”

“I use it for my leather hat. It does seem to repel rain, but it also spots. After it all dries I have to either apply a new coat or buff up the existing coat with a brush to get the spots out. Then the hat is good as new. Keeps my head dry though. I have not used it on any other material, so I can't say.”

“I use the spray, on my Gortex, and it will refresh the repellancy, so the water beads up, and the jacket is less likely to 'wet out'.

I think if a particular garment material is not waterproof, to begin with, there's not a whole lot you can do, to make it so. You may improve it's ability to shed rain somewhat.

Likewise, with boots, most 'waterproofing' products are intended to waterproof and preserve the leather. If the boot leaks.... it leaks ....you have to go a different route. All the spray in the world isn't going to help”

“I thought it was some kind of hair remover...”

“LOL.... it may be”

“The Nikwax I have is a pasty concoction that comes in a tube, expressly for leather. I am going to try it out on a pair of mocassin boots I have.

I have used some water repellant for my Goretex jacket. You add it in the washer and then have to run a warm iron over it after it comes out of the drier to make it effective, but it does work. Otherwise, the jacket just soaks up water and becomes waterlogged. But my experience is you have to keep doing that, because the treatment does not last very long.”

“The spray-on is called TX Direct. It's designed for garments with mesh linings etc, where they suggest not using the wash-in stuff. It seems to work very well.

The Tech Wash is a bit pricey to use, but it's a good non-detergent to wash the jacket in, before re-waterproofing. Supposedly it leaves no residue to clog up the membrane”

“I use the tecwash on my gear, and the waxy paste on my boots.”

“never tried it myself but i've heard of a few people that have done something similar - i think washing their fleece with it?”

“I used the Nikwax wash-in once on a Goretex jacket and it didn't work. I sprayed Campdry on it and that did work.”

“Use Direct X. It works. Spray it on when the garmet is wet and then dry it in a hot dryer. When the garmet starts to wet out again, toss it back in the dryer or as Geo mentioned, hit it with a hot iron. It's good for a couple of goes this way...”

“I shall be on the lookout for Direct X.”

“Or it may be called TX Direct as mentioned above. I just remembered "direct" and "x" in the label. Sorry for any confusion, Geo.”

“I use it and it seems to work for my raingear. The water beaded up and rolled off. I use it every few months.”

“The nixwax I get is a liquid, about like whole milk, a pain in the . . . to use. I didn't know it came any other way.

After my first pair or Raichles came apart too soon by my thinking, I have tried fewer applications of water repellant and conditioner, and have stuck to nixwax only.”

“landsquid...great trailname!


i use some silicon spray stuff i got at walmart.....seems to work ok on me boots”

“Ld, the Nikwax for the washer is kinda milky. Dump it in the washer. For me its easier to use.

The Direct TX leaves white spots on my black raingear.


Oh yeah, I got more Raichle Mtn Trekkers (wrong thread).”

“Ya, Snowy, it takes a fair bit of the spray, to get everything covered evenly and avoid the spots. I think having the coat really wet, to start, helps.

The smell of the pastey stuff always reminds me of that white kids glue, that you use in school”

“Elmers?”

“I have recently used the Nikwax, in the washer at someones suggestion. And then tested it out. It works!”

“Directions say to swab in on the boot with the tiny little brush attached to the lid of the jar. I'll have to re-read the jar to see what gives.

Where did you find the Raichle's?”

“Got the Raichle's from Sierra Trading Post. $65/pr, so I got 2 pr and saved $320. Check daily for sales. I saw it for $119 for a long time, then $95 after xmas, and on Mon it went down to $65. (reg - $225)”

“I used the "dumpinwash" stuff once and it kindof worked.

Imo, the sprayon works better.”

“I used to use the Nikwax that was really messy (the white milky stuff that went everywhere when you tried to apply with that awful brush).

Now, they have that tube of Nikwax cream that works very well...I massage it into my boots with my fingers. The water repellency is excellent.

I have never tried the wash-in or spray stuff. I just do my boots.”

“You guys are talking about two kinds of nikwax products. One for boots, don't put them in the washer, and one for clothing, THAT goes in the washer.

Forgive me if you were joking. My humor hasn't woken up yet.”

“i'll nikwax off when i get the urge”