MAINTAINING CABELA'S GUIDEWEAR

[Dante]

Need advice:

I have bibs w/ jacket plus a new jacket (because I didn't take care of the old one). Bibs are 7 years old and very worn, but don't leak.

What products do some of you folks put (spray or other) on them to keep them in shape and leak proof?

Thanks.

[wallytap]

I called the company.Wash with POWDERED soap,run thru rinse cycle 2X,place in dryer med heat(heating restores the gortex ability to repel water)If you want,(I believe it's named "RENUZ") spray on booster for gortex.I just washed and dried and that was enough to restore them.

[FJH1]

Eventually the DWR (Durable Water Repellant) on Guide Wear (or most any waterproof/breathable garment for that matter) will lose its effectiveness and water will no longer bead up. Gore manufactures a product called "Revivex". This is a spray-on DWR. It's activated through the warm drying and ironing process (on the label). I've used Revivex several times with fair results. I've followed the instructions to the letter, but it still seems to lose it's effectiveness rather quickly. The last time I applied a DWR I went with Nik-Wax (Recommended by Dennis-UT I believe). I used their Tech Wash and TX-Direct wash-in DWR treatment. So far so good.

Best Regards,

FJH

[Stormsearch]

I have been treating my guidewear once a year for the last 6 years with the Nik-Wax products with excellent results. You can buy the stuff through Cabela's at about $10/bottle which can treat about 4 - 6 garments. Works on all gortex products.

[Jim]

I hope you have better luck with the Nik-Wax products then I did. I used a total of six bottles for all of my different gear. I followed the instructions to the letter and at first my jackets worked like a fresh coat of wax on a new car. Shortley after though (less than a month) the water quit beading up and the outer fabric stated to "wet out" again.

This time I tried the "Gore Revivex", so far so good! (3 months) I believe one of the most important things has been mentioned before, but I will reaffirm it. Use ONLY a MILD POWERED detergent and double rinse!!!! Also wash more often because the dirt that gets into the pores of the material is often what causes the frabric to retain water and become wet.

These same pores hold residual liquid detergnet if that is used. This causes the surface tension of the water to break down and the frabric to become wet.

Also remember to check the care lable as each product can have some small differences on how to properly wash their product!!

[stewart]

All good advice.Just one point to add. Your breathable rainsuit will still be waterproof even if it 'wets out'. However, a wet out coat doesn't really 'breath' anymore, so condensation can occure inside your coat causing what feels like a leak. If you do have a real leak a spray on product likely won't help, but maybe duct tape would ;).

[Dante]

Thanks to all for the advice. I'll experiment with each suggestion.

I've never washed my rain or duck gear despite the slimings, blood, turds (fish), farmer's blows, squished bait, what's that my hand(?) wipings, chew spit, etc.... Just figure it will eventually rain... and it does! Only difference now it that it'll all "bead" its way off.

[Backwater Eddy]

Go with the Gore Revivex and the above washing suggestions and your gear will last years.

The Gore Revivex is specially designed to bond to Gore-Tex fibers while others are only surface treatments that diminish the breathing characteristics of the fabric.

Take a tour of the Gore web site and read up on the produce it is well worth the time to fully understand how it all works.

[Eyeman_IN]

I've got a set I have been using sense 93 . They are starting to get a little worn looking but still keep me dry . The big problem I am having is the suspenders on the bibs are getting really frayed and I figure I'll have to buy a new set if not next year the year after for sure . But they have been worth every penny of the price I paid for them . I am always looking for all the ideas I can get to keep the old set and the new set going for as long as I can . Thanks for the info Guys !!!
Tight lines,
Eyeman (IN)