Thread: Jacket waterproofing

I have a Hunter's Element rain jacket that is a couple years old. It has typically been washed after use as recommended.

Out in the rain last weekend it now seems about as waterproof as a tea towel, so I'm thinking it could do with some form of treatment.

Curious about what products people have tried/had success with?

A couple of things I've learnt. First, any rain jacket used in bush hunting will be subject to wear and tear. Even if it looks like there are no holes, there will be micro holes, which leads to water leaching through. Had this with a Swazi Kagoule which is not an entry level jacket. Thick bush bashing will damage the outer fabric on rain jackets regardless of the magic coating the marketers state. The entry level jackets (HE Halo, Stoney Creek Stowit... all are pretty light weight material). Outside of that, after about 2 years moderate use, a good idea to buy some Nikwax waterproofing for rain jackets and run it through the wash. Do that with my Swazi Rifleman which is about 5 years old now.

Washed my HE Odyssey jacket once, it's now see through.

Silicone spray.

Buy some scotch guard from Mitre10 or Bunnings. follow the instructions.

Senior Forum member suggested the cocky dairy raincoat. On the bike with a dude who had a fancy coat...drenched[excuse pun] and the other 2 dudes with their humble cocky coats ...dry. LOL. Farmers do use some good gear. See so many hunters now using the 4x4 gumboots.

Farmers generally use what works not whats trendy

Originally Posted by Woody

Silicone spray.

This is my go-to also, it works on everything. Boots, pants, jackets, gloves.

Moa hunter suggested this,so not my idea originally,I've used it with great success . silicon roof n gutter sealant thinned down with terps.... Mix it up in container well,if decide to use drill n bit of bebt wire as stirer,make sure drill on go slow or will waterproof bench too. When silicon has dissolved completely in terps paint liquid onto fabric and hang out on line to dry.... Works a treat,will no longer breath,but no longer leaks. Did canvas packs,my wife brimmed hat,that now sheds rain off to outer shoulders, cotton bumfreezer jacket now even after two washes still shower proof.

Can you get a silicone that doesn't stink?
Tried water proofing a hat once, wouldn't bother again due to smell.

The above mixture not too bad,I left to air dry on washing line for a week and pretty neutral smell after that.

Originally Posted by Ducksnchips

This is my go-to also, it works on everything. Boots, pants, jackets, gloves.

What's the durability like for silicone spray? Last a few washes, or needs regular touch up?

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

Moa hunter suggested this,so not my idea originally,I've used it with great success . silicon roof n gutter sealant thinned down with terps.... Mix it up in container well,if decide to use drill n bit of bebt wire as stirer,make sure drill on go slow or will waterproof bench too. When silicon has dissolved completely in terps paint liquid onto fabric and hang out on line to dry.... Works a treat,will no longer breath,but no longer leaks. Did canvas packs,my wife brimmed hat,that now sheds rain off to outer shoulders, cotton bumfreezer jacket now even after two washes still shower proof.

I watched a youtube vid on this a ways back - definitely seemed a good way to make something proper waterproof. Saw an undated version using paraffin wax and a warm iron that is apparently less stinky.

So to follow up on my own question - I initially purchased some Selleys waterproofing silicone spray from M10 - applied to jacket as per instructions, and generally it seemed to work, although I probably needed another whole can to really wet it out. After a wet day in the bush last weekend, the jacket held up a little better but eventually wet out through the arms especially. After considering a few different perspectives/opinions I decided that trying to maintain "breathability" was largely an illusion, especially once you're actually in the rain, so I thought I'd try a more robust solution.

For a grand total of $22, I purchased some Shellite and 150g tube of silicone from Bunnings which I figured would be about the right quantity/ratio. Gave it a good mix in a bucket (took a while to fully dissolve), then used a medium sized paintbrush to methodically cover the entire jacket (took around 45mins). This particular jacket has an almost suede-like exterior which soaked up the mixture quite nicely. I used around 70% of the mixture on the jacket, so would assume that once all the Shellite is evaporated, I've added about 100gm of weight.

The remaining mixture got me excited for what else I could waterproof, so a few other items got the treatment. The next day, some under-the-tap tests look promising - especially on the jacket. The fabric has taken a slightly darker shade but otherwise has more or less retained the same texture. Time will tell as to durability of this solution. Funnily enough, I was most excited about waterproofing my $8 Kmart hat - no wet head for me on those drizzly days.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

Moa hunter suggested this,so not my idea originally,I've used it with great success . silicon roof n gutter sealant thinned down with terps.... Mix it up in container well,if decide to use drill n bit of bebt wire as stirer,make sure drill on go slow or will waterproof bench too. When silicon has dissolved completely in terps paint liquid onto fabric and hang out on line to dry.... Works a treat,will no longer breath,but no longer leaks. Did canvas packs,my wife brimmed hat,that now sheds rain off to outer shoulders, cotton bumfreezer jacket now even after two washes still shower proof.

There is a great video on YouTube detailing this process, where the guy turned a cotton bedsheet into a waterproof tarp. I don't know how long this lasts but I intend to try it with some inexpensive cotton based jacket/parkas and try it out.