walkhighlands

Add reviews of outdoor gear and equipment here... or simply chat about gear and ask for recommendations

Reproofing Rab Vapour Rise Lite Jacket

Reproofing Rab Vapour Rise Lite Jacket


Postby naepace » Thu Sep 21, 2017 1:55 pm

Hi guys, has anybody tried reproofing a Rab Vapour Rise jacket ? I washed mine in Nikwax Tech Wash and then sprayed it with Nikwax TX Direct Spray on (I didn't use the 'wash in' as I was advised that would affect the wicking properties) The end result is that the jacket is now about as waterproof as a sieve :? The rain does not bead on the jacket at all now.
Any ideas/advice ?
Cheers.
User avatar
naepace
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 155
Munros:124   Corbetts:10
Fionas:3   Donalds:4
Sub 2000:10   
Joined: Oct 8, 2012
Location: Perth

Re: Reproofing Rab Vapour Rise Lite Jacket

Postby prog99 » Thu Sep 21, 2017 5:11 pm

Its not waterproof to begin with though? I've got the trousers and have never re-proofed them.
User avatar
prog99
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 2022
Fionas:130   
Joined: Aug 14, 2013
Location: Highlands

Re: Reproofing Rab Vapour Rise Lite Jacket

Postby jmarkb » Thu Sep 21, 2017 6:25 pm

You could trying tumble drying it, if you haven't already: that helps to rejuvenate the water repellent finish.
User avatar
jmarkb
Mountaineer
 
Posts: 5857
Munros:246   Corbetts:105
Fionas:91   Donalds:32
Sub 2000:46   
Joined: Oct 28, 2011
Location: Edinburgh

Re: Reproofing Rab Vapour Rise Lite Jacket

Postby teaandpies » Thu Sep 21, 2017 10:54 pm

prog99 wrote:Its not waterproof to begin with though? I've got the trousers and have never re-proofed them.


I was thinking the same thing. Unless Rab have other bits with the same name?
teaandpies
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 970
Munros:116   Corbetts:22
Fionas:9   Donalds:2
Sub 2000:9   Hewitts:6
Joined: Mar 19, 2014
Location: Glasgow

Re: Reproofing Rab Vapour Rise Lite Jacket

Postby Fiona Reid » Fri Sep 22, 2017 7:56 am

Vapour Rise is soft shell not a waterproof, see the glossary on the Rab website for details: https://support-uk.rab.equipment/hc/en-us/articles/115004373469-Glossary

Nikwax do a softshell proof that you wash-in rather than spraying on so that might be worth a try to improve water repellency, http://www.nikwax.co.uk/en-gb/products/productdetail.php?productid=56

if you do try it please report back if it works as I've a soft shell that has long since stopped beading.
User avatar
Fiona Reid
Mountaineer
 
Posts: 284
Munros:121   Corbetts:35
Fionas:219   Donalds:86
Sub 2000:9   Hewitts:44
Wainwrights:61   
Joined: Apr 26, 2012
Location: Highlands

Re: Reproofing Rab Vapour Rise Lite Jacket

Postby naepace » Fri Sep 22, 2017 1:32 pm

Thanks folks, yeah sorry I know it is not waterproof but it was so water repellant that I used to consider it pretty much waterproof. Unfortunately it has lost that entirely. I'll give the softshell Nikwax stuff a go and report back.
User avatar
naepace
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 155
Munros:124   Corbetts:10
Fionas:3   Donalds:4
Sub 2000:10   
Joined: Oct 8, 2012
Location: Perth

Re: Reproofing Rab Vapour Rise Lite Jacket

Postby Spade » Sun Sep 24, 2017 11:13 am

I've tried a few lotions n potions from all the suppliers that suggest it will re proof your jacket. After all the trying none really make the mark :( My experience is that those jackets I tried it with, are now wear to work only jackets and a new goretex bought. The North face used to do a lifetime guarantee, now its only 2 years that tells you the expectation of the waterproof finish. Rohan does the same and I had their jacket which failed after 2 years and they replaced it as the waterproof finish started to fail, but respect to Rohan who replaced it. You could ask Rab, but work out if it over 2-3 years old, if so then it could be end of the natural life of the waterproofing, resistant material. :o :?
Spade
 
Posts: 172
Munros:80   Corbetts:5
Joined: Sep 23, 2010
Location: Annecy

Re: Reproofing Rab Vapour Rise Lite Jacket

Postby Stecky » Sat Sep 30, 2017 11:44 am

Hi.

I washed my vapour rise jacket in Nikwax Tech Wash in the machine and then put it back in the machine with Nikwax TX.Direct wash in which "revives water repellency and breathability". But with the second part you have to tumble dry the jacket to activate it for half an hour or so at a low heat - doesn't have to be totally dry.

Mine seems to bead the water pretty well and although it's a bit of a faff you should only have to re-proof it once or twice a year depending on use.

Hope that helps.

BR,
Colin.
Stecky
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 18
Joined: Jul 5, 2014

Re: Reproofing Rab Vapour Rise Lite Jacket

Postby mrssanta » Sat Sep 30, 2017 6:45 pm

Stecky wrote: you have to tumble dry the jacket to activate it for half an hour or so at a low heat - doesn't have to be totally dry.

.

no, you don't have to tumble dry. you do apparently with Graingers (so I have been told, never used it) but not with Nikwax tx direct or any nikwax stuff. We don't have a tumble dryer. It works fine and we use it to proof all sorts of things. Only don't proof your base layers or your handkerchiefs, or your buff if you want to use it for mopping up!
User avatar
mrssanta
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 3132
Munros:281   Corbetts:12
Fionas:3   
Sub 2000:12   Hewitts:43
Wainwrights:41   Islands:13
Joined: Jul 18, 2011
Location: north yorkshire moors

Re: Reproofing Rab Vapour Rise Lite Jacket

Postby naepace » Tue Oct 03, 2017 4:19 pm

I was told that using the wash in method would result in a loss of breathability?
User avatar
naepace
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 155
Munros:124   Corbetts:10
Fionas:3   Donalds:4
Sub 2000:10   
Joined: Oct 8, 2012
Location: Perth

Re: Reproofing Rab Vapour Rise Lite Jacket

Postby mrssanta » Tue Oct 03, 2017 7:00 pm

naepace wrote:I was told that using the wash in method would result in a loss of breathability?

I think it depends what you are proofing
for jackets which include a wicking lining which requires the lining NOT to be proofed that is probably the case. Some jackets have a mesh liner which is part of the breathability system. However I'd doubt that would apply to a soft shell. Paramo jackets (for which TX direct is designed) are proofed using the wash in stuff, it is so much easier to apply than the spray on as well, which is a bit of a pain.
having said that I have not got a Rab Vapour Rise jacket and i am not sure I'd recognise one if it walked into my house so don't consider my view gospel on that particular garment
User avatar
mrssanta
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 3132
Munros:281   Corbetts:12
Fionas:3   
Sub 2000:12   Hewitts:43
Wainwrights:41   Islands:13
Joined: Jul 18, 2011
Location: north yorkshire moors

Re: Reproofing Rab Vapour Rise Lite Jacket

Postby mattmjones » Tue Oct 10, 2017 5:41 pm

Nikwax Softshell Proof ought to do the trick - it did with my Rab VR. They do it as a spray-on now too, which saves washing machine faff.
mattmjones
Stravaiging
 
Posts: 2
Joined: Oct 10, 2017

Re: Reproofing Rab Vapour Rise Lite Jacket

Postby DerbyLad » Fri Jan 26, 2018 2:55 pm

Hi Naepace,

How did you get on with the nikwax soft shell wash in product?

I have the same problem. The RAB web site advisors the spray on but when I contacted RAB and their reply was to send it to a specialist repair centre to get it reproofed or try the wash in products!
In my opinion thats a pretty poor response. By the nature of the product it's going to get dirty. They should test the fabrics before committing to production that they can be cleaned and reproofed.
DerbyLad
Mountaineer
 
Posts: 1
Joined: Jan 26, 2018




Can you help support Walkhighlands?


Our forum is free from adverts - your generosity keeps it running.
Can you help support Walkhighlands and this community by donating by direct debit?



Return to Gear and Equipment talk

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 8 guests