Can I rescue my Goretex jacket - I think I've killed it!

DrBenway

dlb wrote:

My dh who used to work for outdoor clothing company says take it back to where you bought it as if it is gortex it shouldnt leak, its the material thats waterproof not the coating.
They would have given refund or replacement if you had taken it back no matter how long you have had it.

Here is the W.L. Gore guarantee. It does say it depends on the wear and tear of the garment.

This is on the Galvin Green website and gives a bit more detail on their fabric and coating:

Care Instructions - Gore-Tex®

Galvin Green clothing in Gore-Tex fabrics are easy to care for and can be frequently machine washed and tumble dried. The fact is, that the garments function best when clean, so don't be afraid to wash them frequently.

Garments should be washed using a normal 40 machine wash programme. Remember DO NOT use a fabric softener, which only decreases the water repellent properties of the material. Neither should you use bleach or any bleaching agent.

Garments should be dried in a tumble dryer as this then re-activates the water repellent surface of the garment. The outer fabric from Gore is treated with an ultra-thin coating called DWR (durable water repellent). This
coating penetrates into the fibres and reduces the surface tension of the fabric, which ensures that water on the fabric forms tiny pear-like droplets on the surface rather than being absorbed into the fabric. A water repellent outer fabric provides extra insulation and prevents liquid from soaking through the fabric, which would make the wearer experience the fabric as damp and sticky.

After a great deal of use and wear of the garments, the water repellent effect of the outer fabric may be reduced. The function of the garment is dependent on its care. The best way to maintain its water repellent properties is to machine wash the garment on a normal 40° wash programme, WITHOUT USING FABRIC SOFTENER.

Thereafter, the garment should be tumble dried. The wash programme should remove any dirt and the heat from the tumble drying will re-activate the water repellent properties of the fabric. The properties of the actual Gore-Tex® membrane are not affected by regular washing.

After long use and many washes, the water repellent properties of the DWR coating may diminish. It is then possible to simply re-impregnate the fabric using a special liquid. It is extremely important, however, that the impregnation liquid used is one recommended by Gore, such as Imprenex Plus or Grangers. Follow the instructions on the packaging. Impregnation liquids are available from well stocked sport stores.


It is vitally important that the Gore-Tex® membrane is not punctured. This means that you should not pin badges or sew anything onto the Gore-Tex® fabric yourself. If you need help to repair or alter a garment made of Gore-Tex® fabric, you should contact a Gore-Tex® service centre. They can also help you sew on club badges, etc. When you sew on Gore-Tex® fabric, the seams must be specially taped on the reverse side of the fabric so that no leakage occurs through the holes made by the needle, which is why sewing should only be carried out by Gore specialists.