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Does Gore Tex Die?

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Zimmy
Posts: 1258 - Karma: -1,327
I've got an old Gore Tex jacket from around 1996-9 and it hasn't been ripped, nor is it dirty. It's just that it has no waterproof ability anymore. It gets saturated in the rain and water seeps through. Any tips please?

Nov 5 2015 10:46AM
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ValD
Posts: 65 - Karma: 126
After a loong season with tons of skiing, my patagonia had some discolored spots, and the waterproofing wasn't as good as it was out of the box, although it was still waterproof (i just wanted to show my jacket some love). Local store told me that gore-tex specific products are worth it, so i got some wash-in product from Nikwax, and a spray that had to be applied afterwards.

The discolored spots aren't discolored anymore, but i can't give you an update on the rest of it yet, as i haven't used it. But this was the advice i was given at a solid outdoor store.
Nov 5 2015 11:02AM
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ABskier
Posts: 136 - Karma: 56
If the face fabrics are not damaged, then it's very unlikely that the goretex membrane is not still intact. Does the inner part of the jacket have a loose layer of mesh? or is it one solid piece. On older goretex stuff, the two ply fabrics only had a layer of mesh to really protect the goretex from the inside, and wear and tear could happen there more easily.

Are you sure it's not just the DWR? Once your face fabric wets out, the jacket can't breath, and you will get wet on the inside (but it's still waterproof). Just try some nikwax and see if it's working better.
Nov 5 2015 11:06AM
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milo-mcsenderson
Posts: 602 - Karma: 7,542
May just need reproofing?
Nov 5 2015 11:11AM
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Zimmy
Posts: 1258 - Karma: -1,327
Yeah, some of the zips are broken on the pockets and water seems to get in. There is fabric mesh on the inside. Anyway, I might just keep it for windy days.

I might leave it out in the rain to see exactly where the problems lie.


I don't want to waterproof it again, the fabric should be inherently waterproof, right? Jacket is also pretty ugly.

Not sure what is wrong with the jacket, but I think this jacket is on life-support.

Thanks.
Nov 5 2015 11:19AM
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ggfski42
Posts: 651 - Karma: 700
Ive been riding my patagonia pants for 4 season now, and they look like shit. But they are still just as waterproof as the day I bought them. So I would say that gore-tex is indeed immortal.
Nov 5 2015 11:28AM
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S.J.W
Posts: 7609 - Karma: 31,182
Like any membrane it loses it's waterproofing over time. It's just due to your oils in your skin, abrasion, washing and flexing. 10 years is a pretty good time span for a gore jacket. But it's probably time to get a new one
Nov 5 2015 11:32AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Just wanted to give OP some advice about re-waterproofing.

Wash the jacket in the washing machine with tech wash first to get all the grime and shit off it.

Once it's done, let hang dry.

Then use the SPRAY waterproofed on the outside of the jacket. Don't use the dips, because they get the inside of your jacket too and it can negatively affect your breathability. Soak it good and then pop it in the dryer to "cook" it in. I like to repeat that step at least twice.

Works like a charm for only a few bucks. I'm sure there are other ways but that's the easiest and best way I've found. Good luck!
Nov 5 2015 1:59PM
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Zimmy
Posts: 1258 - Karma: -1,327
Yeah, thanks for all the responses. But someone's getting a Dumpster Sponsorship tonight, so they can do all the waterproofing they want. The jacket was actually pretty heavy with all the lining, and ugly, and didn't fit or feel too good.

But what I dreaded most was for some hipster or yuppie to come up to me and call me "North Face 1996"

..so that won't happen now.
Nov 5 2015 2:35PM
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haggis_hunter
Posts: 399 - Karma: 207
The new waterproofing substances are not as good as the old ones due to ecological concerns about fluorocarbon content. Theres still some decent stuff on the market, the NIK Wax stuff is a at the bottom of the acceptable level of DWR treatments.

You want something along the lines of this if you can get in America.

https://grangers.co.uk/product/xtreme-repel
Nov 6 2015 5:22AM
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ABskier
Posts: 136 - Karma: 56
HC__skierI don't want to waterproof it again, the fabric should be inherently waterproof, right? Jacket is also pretty ugly.


The fabric is waterproof, but the face fabric is not. You need to reapply the DWR finish which is what makes the water roll of the fabric instead of soaking in. Once your jacket has wetted out, you will get wet from the inside (vapour can't get out and condensation builds).

This is also the reason you need to keep your jacket clean. Dirt building up in the fabric stops it from breathing.
Nov 6 2015 11:07AM
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