Leaking Guidewear

[Mike Walerak]

My Cabela's Guidewear rainsuit sprung a leak after 10 years of abuse. I retired them and boght a new set but would like to reseal them and have them for a spare pair. Anyone have a good way to do it. It is leaking through the seams mostly and the bibs are much worse than the jacket but both leak pretty bad.

mw

[Snowking]

I will be watching this thread as my bibs leak like a colander in the crotch area.

[kerryd15]

Are they ripped?

If not. You can apply a spray on water repellant after using a product called Revivex- I believe. It is supposed to make gortex waterproof again. I think after a few hours gortex will soak through anyway.

[Kyhl]

There is a wash in repellant that I have used with success. Can't remember the name but found it at Gander in the tent section.

It is heat activated and requires a dryer. You wash it in by hand or in a washing machine skipping the rince cycle, then it sets from the heat of the dryer.

Warning, they don't give it away.

I'm on year four of the previous treatment and still going strong. Spent a few days in the rain this spring and it kept me dry.

[DooWap]

A goretex rain gear system basically has two components. First you have the goretex membrane which is a fabric sewn into the middle layer of the clothes. Then you have a durable water repellent (DWR) that is coated into the outer fabric. The DWR is what causes the water to bead up and run right off of your clothes. If you start to see water saturating the outer fabric, than your DWR needs to be brought back. Most of them can be "recharged" by throwing them in the dryer. If it gets worn off you can get a spray can to reapply, I know the 3M Scotchgard one is a good one to use. Goretex will eventually start to leak if there is enough water soaked into the fabric outside of it so you need the DWR to keep that from saturating.

[leech~~]

Get a can of "Camp Dry". I have used it on all kinds of stuff, new boots, motorcycle and 4 wheeler covers when their brand new and they bead water off for a long time!

[Pat K]

My Guidewear leaked after having a seam restitched. I bought a can of water repellent at REI. Like others have said you put it in the dryer to activate the water repellent. I used the jacket for a couple of years with no problems and its in the boat as a backup now.

[Down Deep]

Did you ever store it wet? Wet storage will allow for mildew to form on the stitches allowing water to penetrate. Heard this from a factory rep of a tent manufacture at Cabelas. He said never use your tent or rain suit without hanging it up after use. Also it should be stored hanging when not in the boat. There is really not much you can do about this except may be patch the seams with Tear Aid. The stuff sticks fast to any surface and is waterproof. Mildew might or might not be the problem

[Mid-Lake Rock]

Buy a product called RevivX. They make a soap to clean the garment and a waterproofing product. Get the rainwear wet and spray with the waterproofing product. Throw in the dryer on tumble dry. It is amazing. I wash then waterproof when wet. My old bibs leaked in the crotch and now they are bone dry. Got this tip from HSO Hall of Famer Ed Carlson.