Posted: 2/2/2014 7:49:43 AM EDT
| hello all , I could use some input, I have over the years washed my black m65 field jacket a few times when needed , and was wondering the best way to re waterproof it? |
|
I have had surplus M65's that did have a water proofing that lasted three or so washes.
Quoted:
I don't believe your m65 was EVER waterproof . That said there are several spray-on repellents , Campmor has one . Rubber ( and plastic of course ) . . .is the only REAL waterproof material that I have seen . |
|
I am issued a cheap chinese knockoff for work. I use the spray on waterproofing to help it out. Work can be nasty and coats can get ripped or torn and at that point need replaced. For a light rain, the spray on waterproofing at wally world or other places will do the job. For super duper downpour, and especially this winter with its serious wind and low temps, I bought a seperate raincoat big enough to go over the winter jacket. When it comes to additives or dyes or anything like that I tend to want a seperate washing machine for stuff like that. Right now I have one washing machine. I readily admit I have not used the additives linked above but I try to be careful with my washing machine because my uniforms could be affected by such stuff. |
|
They were Quarpel treated originally. At least the old ones were.
Quarpel Finish: Refers to a water-repellent finish used on fabric or thread, which causes water to bead up and run-off rather than absorb into the fabric. This is a special finish that must be processed on request. It can adversely affect the frictional characteristics of the thread. (See Thread Finishing.)
Textile Treatments: Quarpel: Quarpel water-repellent is a water and stain resistant textile treatment that was developed by Natick Research Laboratories in the late 1960s for use in combat clothing and equipment. “Quarpel” is an acronym for “Quartermaster Repellent” that was coined by the Natick scientist inventor. The water repellent is still used commercially in top clothing lines and is used in many other commercial items such as upholstery and carpeting. The military uses Quarpel extensively in rain protective combat clothing and equipment. The repellent has the unique capability to repel water and organic liquids, such as chemical warfare agents, and withstands repeated laundering. History: In 1959, a breakthrough in rainwear treatments by technologists at the Quartermaster Research and Development Laboratories (now U.S. Army Natick Laboratories), made a satisfactory and attractive military raincoat possible at last. Chemists at these Laboratories combined two commercially available water repellents to synergistically produce a highly durable water-repellent and oil-resistant treatment for textiles. This treatment, named "Quarpel" as a Quartermaster-developed repellent, freed Army clothing designers from the necessity of using coated fabrics for rainwear. The Quarpel treatment could withstand up to 15 launderings without re-treatment and still retain greater water repellency than the best vapor permeable raincoats then on the market. Fabrics treated with the compound remained vapor permeable and free from uncomfortable moisture condensation (24). The Quartermaster Corps had applied Quarpel to field and combat clothing and the results confirmed their hopes that the treatment could provide a rain garment which was efficiently water-repellent, washable and comfortable. Accordingly, in 1964 the Army adopted a semidress raincoat utilizing the Quarpel treatment to replace the coated fabric taupe raincoat for all male personnel. The new raincoat was a lighter but harmonizing shade of green for wear with the Army Green uniform and was made of a single layer of 5 ounce, cotton polyester fabric with an inside shoulder yoke. Because of its washability and better drape, the new raincoat provided an improved appearance and promised a longer service life than the current standard. |
|
This is the stuff to use. McNett also makes similar solutions. If you're concerned about these chems contaminating your other clothes, just run a mix of soap and bleach in an empty machine after treating the outer garments. |