Sunday, December 10, 2006

Nikwax Hack/Mod

A while ago I discovered a neat way to save money on Nikwax.
Basically it involved changing the way you use the TX.Direct Wash-in version.
With my method you can safely waterproof over a dozen garments using a single bottle.

Here goes:

Ingredients:

1 x Nikwax TX.Direct Wash-in
1 x Spay bottle (about 500ml capacity)
1 x hair dryer (optional)
1 x rubber/latex gloves (for your protection)

Process:

Fill Spray bottle with 100ml (two cap fulls) of Nikwax. Add water until bottle is full. Shake.

Select suitable clothing for waterproofing.

Hang clothes in a place used to getting wet, preferably bathroom/shower.

Wet down clothes with clean, cold water, ensuring that clothes are not dripping wet.

Spray clothes with Nikwax spray bottle solution. You should be able to treat about 6 or more fleeces using this technique.

Once you are satisfied that the clothes have been fully treated with Nikwax (completely covered with the chalky/milky solution) leave them to dry.

If you want to enhance the waterproofing ability of Nikwax you can gently dry the treated clothes using a hair dryer. Even gentle drying like this improves the Nikwax polymer process.

Hopefully this should save you some money.

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any damage/harm to either you or your clothes. Reasonable skin care precautions such as wearing gloves and avoiding skin contact with Nikwax is recommended.