Drysuit cleaning
Moderators: kenneth, sbroam, TheKrikkitWars, Mike W., Sir Adam, KNeal, PAC, adamin
-
- C Boater
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2013 12:05 pm
- Location: NH
Drysuit cleaning
I have a kokatat GMER drysuit that needs washing. I know what I have to do as far as washing instructions and after care. As a person who sweats a lot, I have some stains on the inside as well as out. Also paranoid about damaging the zipper. Do you wash with zipper open, closed or halfway? It does not say in the kokatat care instructions. Any Input would be appreciated.
Re: Drysuit cleaning
I have a second curtain rod in my shower that I use to dry and clean gear on. I have a spray bottle with a diluted solution of 'MiraZyme'. After a treatment or two I also give a quick hand wash with a special drysuit shampoo. All in cold water, hang to dry after. I like the zipper open for this method, waxing it after could be a good idea too. Planning on getting some zipper wax this season.
http://www.mcnett.com/gearaid/mirazyme#36132" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Not sure if you will get the stains out. Mine has a couple blood stains on it that aren't going anywhere. I guess it adds character?
http://www.mcnett.com/gearaid/mirazyme#36132" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Not sure if you will get the stains out. Mine has a couple blood stains on it that aren't going anywhere. I guess it adds character?
https://vimeo.com/user32086287" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- busterblue
- CBoats Addict
- Posts: 254
- Joined: Mon Feb 07, 2011 5:31 pm
- Location: Ridgefield, WA
Re: Drysuit cleaning
I think the potential damage from a washing machine is more to the gaskets than to the zippers.
I turn mine inside out, zippers open, and wash on delicate, with gentle soap, in my top loading washing machine. They recommend using side loaders because they're more gentle. But I haven't had any problems with damaging gaskets or zippers.
I turn mine inside out, zippers open, and wash on delicate, with gentle soap, in my top loading washing machine. They recommend using side loaders because they're more gentle. But I haven't had any problems with damaging gaskets or zippers.
Re: Drysuit cleaning
If you wash it in a machine I would suggest putting it in a mesh bag first. This will ensure that the agitator can't damage it. I would be most concerned about damage to the seam tape.
Dave
Dave
https://vimeo.com/user32086287" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- dixie_boater
- C Guru
- Posts: 195
- Joined: Fri Apr 25, 2003 6:46 pm
- Location: Lilburn, GA USA
Re: Drysuit cleaning
I also need to clean my suit. I purchased Nikwax Tech Wash to clean it, but am not sure if I should hand wash the suit or use my washing machine. Has anyone washed a Kokatat GMER in a front loading machine using Tech Wash?
Michael McCurdy
Re: Drysuit cleaning
Yups, I did 2 months ago, no problem whatsoever. And applied the nixwax goretex waterproofing with the machine as well, now the water is pearling beautifully on the suit again.dixie_boater wrote:I also need to clean my suit. I purchased Nikwax Tech Wash to clean it, but am not sure if I should hand wash the suit or use my washing machine. Has anyone washed a Kokatat GMER in a front loading machine using Tech Wash?
Re: Drysuit cleaning
you can just put it in the washing machine with normal detergent… or don't wash it. the mesh bag is a really good idea.
...
Re: Drysuit cleaning
Mesh bag: YES
Normal detergent NO
You'll lose the breatghing capacity of your gore-tex when using normal detergent. Been there, done that. You don't want to wreck a $1000 gore-tex suit just to save $1 on a washing sequence.
Just use some dedicated gore-tex soap.
Normal detergent NO
You'll lose the breatghing capacity of your gore-tex when using normal detergent. Been there, done that. You don't want to wreck a $1000 gore-tex suit just to save $1 on a washing sequence.
Just use some dedicated gore-tex soap.
Re: Drysuit cleaning
Check out their instructions:
http://www.gore-tex.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://kokatat.com/warranty-repairs" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Jakke, you should contact those poor stupid companies right away!
http://www.gore-tex.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://kokatat.com/warranty-repairs" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Jakke, you should contact those poor stupid companies right away!
...
- sbroam
- CBoats.net Staff
- Posts: 3969
- Joined: Thu Nov 07, 2002 2:12 am
- Location: Lexington, SC
- Contact:
Re: Drysuit cleaning
Dang -
http://www.gore-tex.com/remote/Satellit ... structions" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I thought you were *supposed* to use powdered detergent on Goretex instead of liquid - that's the only reason I keep any around. I wonder if I've had it wrong all along or if that guidance changed...
That is consistent with Kokatat's instruction (on product specific pages - checked a Gore-tex product and "Hydrus")) :
http://kokatat.com/products/dry-suits/g ... s-men.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Stohlquist says to use special soap :
http://www.stohlquist.com/questions/technical-info.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.gore-tex.com/remote/Satellit ... structions" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I thought you were *supposed* to use powdered detergent on Goretex instead of liquid - that's the only reason I keep any around. I wonder if I've had it wrong all along or if that guidance changed...
That is consistent with Kokatat's instruction (on product specific pages - checked a Gore-tex product and "Hydrus")) :
http://kokatat.com/products/dry-suits/g ... s-men.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Stohlquist says to use special soap :
http://www.stohlquist.com/questions/technical-info.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
C-Boats Moderator
http://picasaweb.google.com/scott.broam/CanoeOutfitting
http://picasaweb.google.com/scott.broam/CanoeOutfitting