Hi everyone,
I have a North Face Prophecy jacket that I've had it for quite some time now. When I had it I was ignorant about how to wash these DWR jackets so I've been washing them like normal clothes, needless to say that the DWR finish has completely faded away. Im going on a Guatemala trip this summer for two weeks and im a college student so i've been trying to resurrect this jacket to save some cash. I bought the Nikwax wash and wash in direct package online. Will this bring the jacket's DWR finish completely back to life or would you recommend getting a completely new one?

heres the jacket:
http://www.bobwards.com/THE%20NORTH%20FACE-Mens-Prophecy-Jacket-Discontinued-30645

heres the nikwax:
http://www.rei.com/product/783563/nikwax-hard-shell-outerwear-care-kit

Thanks!

I would say, "Give it a shot" and then take the jacket out into the rain or under a sprayer/shower. You already own the jacket and the Nikwax.... so what is the worst that can happen?? The jacket leaks and you can find one of this site.

What you have done is (probably) coat the existing DWR with all sorts of muck found in domestic washing machine powders: brighteners, smells, softeners, even filler. With that stuff over the top of the DWR coating, the poor stuff has no chance.

You need to give the jacket several(!) washes with a DWR-compatible detergent, such as Atsko Sports Wash. This will strip the contaminants off, but it may take several washings to do so.

Trying to 'restore' a DWR coating over the top of all that much just won't work. It won't stick, except to the muck.

It remains possible that you have actually worn the DWR coating off the fabric, by abrasion. But you will only find that out after you have got the jacket clean. If it really is worn, THEN a compatible DWR can be added.

However, CAUTION!
Nikwax DWR is wax-based; other DWR treatments are fluorocarbon-based. The two are usually incompatible. I suspect the TNF jacket will have used a fluorocarbon DWR.

Cheers

+1 on Atsko Sportwash at Wal-Mart in hunting supplies. They recommend sacrificial loads to clean the washer.Dryer is even worse-the softener sheets plug everything else up . If you are dealing with Goretex you should follow their label . I have a Goretex tent-Sierra Designs Divine Light and they are quite specific on treatment. I haven't used Nikwax on anything. Atsko has a DWR spray on which lets you coat specific areas like those abraded by straps on a jacket with multiple coats. None of this is magic , but it may get you through a season or more compared to simply trashing your gear.

Thanks everyone! I'll definitely check out the Atsko and wash it a couple more times. Roger, so your saying that I shouldn't use the Nikwax DWR wash in with the jacket event if I wash it multiple times? is there a way to tell which DWR method the manufacturer used?
Thanks!

Hi Adam

> I shouldn't use the Nikwax DWR wash in with the jacket event if I wash it multiple times?
IF the existing DWR is a fluorocarbon I would look for a fluorocarbon DWR. Do NOT use any silicone DWR over Fluoropolymer either: they too are incompatible. I can recommend the Atsko Permanent Water Guard for clothing.

On the other hand, i have used the Atsko silicone on my silnylon tent a couple of times, to improve the repellancy. Seemed to work.

How to tell what the mfr used? Can be difficult. I would say there is a 99.9% probablity it was a fluoropolymer though. That is the standard DWR applied by the mills.

Cheers

use grangers ... years ago it tested as the longest lasting ... its fluro-whatever it was ...