• Welcome to AlpineZone, the largest online community of skiers and snowboarders in the Northeast!

    You may have to REGISTER before you can post. Registering is FREE, gets rid of the majority of advertisements, and lets you participate in giveaways and other AlpineZone events!

Re: preseason shell maintenance

HowieT2

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 22, 2009
Messages
1,623
Points
63
Re: preseason shell maintenance

I'm squarely in pregame mode. About time to get the gear ready. I've gotten into the habit of washing the shells with tech wash and then running them through a cycle with the water repellency refresher and then into the dryer. I've seen where some recommend doing the spray on water repellent, but that seems like an unnecessary pia to me. Wondering what you guys do, if anything.
 

Edd

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 8, 2006
Messages
6,537
Points
113
Location
Newmarket, NH
I wash once a season unless something happens. I don't do the water repellent stuff because I'm concerned it will compromise breathability. It seems to me after 4 seasons the gear will no longer perform as it once did no matter what's done. Time for new stuff at that point. YMMV.
 

gostan

New member
Joined
Jan 5, 2008
Messages
156
Points
0
Location
West Of Boston
This is a preseason ritual for me. Tech wash and warm dry and waterproof wash and warm dry. I was ready a couple of weekends ago.....just in case.:spin:
 

HowieT2

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 22, 2009
Messages
1,623
Points
63
I wash once a season unless something happens. I don't do the water repellent stuff because I'm concerned it will compromise breathability. It seems to me after 4 seasons the gear will no longer perform as it once did no matter what's done. Time for new stuff at that point. YMMV.

Fwiw-the water repellency refresh does work. It's a noticeable difference.
 

Nick

Administrator
Staff member
Administrator
Joined
Nov 12, 2010
Messages
13,176
Points
48
Location
Bradenton, FL
Website
www.alpinezone.com
i haven't used tech wash. I notice my shell doesn't dispel water as much as it used to. What's the correct way to handle Gore Tex? I'm pretty sure the manual just says do a regular wash gentle cycle to refresh the liquid repellant on the exterior of the shell. I have an Arctery'x FWIW.
 

Domeskier

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 15, 2012
Messages
2,274
Points
63
Location
New York
Whatever happened to that ectoplasmic goo that promised to create a 6 inch dry zone around any product you dunked in it?
 

moresnow

Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2008
Messages
477
Points
16
i haven't used tech wash. I notice my shell doesn't dispel water as much as it used to. What's the correct way to handle Gore Tex? I'm pretty sure the manual just says do a regular wash gentle cycle to refresh the liquid repellant on the exterior of the shell. I have an Arctery'x FWIW.
You want to wash it to keep it breathable. Dirt and salt from your sweat can clog the pores.

If water on the fabric stops beading, you need to refresh the DWR. I prefer the spray over the wash in type.

Here are directions from Gore, but the same holds true for any waterproof breathable fabric.
http://www.gore-tex.com/remote/Satellite/content/care-center/washing-instructions
 

Domeskier

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 15, 2012
Messages
2,274
Points
63
Location
New York
You will find it at the bottom of Satan's Stairway.

No - this was definitely a home depot thing. What you'll find at the bottom of Satan's Stairway are the frozen corpses of those rash enough to challenge it!
 

SIKSKIER

New member
Joined
Nov 13, 2006
Messages
3,667
Points
0
Location
Bedford and Franconia NH
I have 3 Arcteyrx shells and have used the tech wash and waterproof.I'm be happy with better water repellancy than breathability.Mine dont seem to have nearly the water beading properties they used to so maybe I'll try a spray on.What kind do you guys recommend?
 

moresnow

Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2008
Messages
477
Points
16
I have 3 Arcteyrx shells and have used the tech wash and waterproof.I'm be happy with better water repellancy than breathability.Mine dont seem to have nearly the water beading properties they used to so maybe I'll try a spray on.What kind do you guys recommend?
I've always used Nikwax products and had good results.
 

darent

Active member
Joined
Apr 9, 2007
Messages
1,548
Points
38
Location
nantucket ma
I've always used Nikwax products and had good results.
me also, Nikwax products work for me, and I have some old stuff that works like new. I recycle my ski wear into work wear that takes more of a beating on job sites than on the ski slopes.
 
Top