Because I work at a desk in a small office, during an average day I don't always get in my 10,000 steps on my FitBit. Therefore I try to get out walking around the neighbourhood. On rainy days I typically, and logically, wear my Fall/Winter fishing jacket.
I noticed recently that the rain was no longer beading up nicely but seemed to be just soaking the fabric. Therefore I decided it was time to apply some new waterproofing. To the internet I go to search fishing and outdoor websites for the How-To's, products, and consumer comments. Once I had decided on a couple of potential products I was off to SportCheck and Atmosphere. (all the good fishing shops are too far away from me) Atmosphere was the most helpful and Barbara there set me up with some Revivex Instant Waterproofing.
After getting it home a carefully read all the instructions on both the spray can, and the laundry tag inside the jacket. Next I dutifully wiped the exterior of the jacket with a sponge with mild soapy water and set the jacket to fully dry.
The next day I packed all the pockets with newspaper so that all the wrinkles were out of them and the full surface could be sprayed. Following that it was out to the garage so I could spray "in a well vented area". Very conveniently, in the garage there was a family heirloom highchair that I had just restored which made for a great holder for my jacket while I sprayed it. I covered the highchair with plastic sheeting to protect it and then carefully arranged the jacket around the new found holder.
I reached behind me to get the waterproofing off the workbench and proceeded to shake the can well. Next I carefully maintained a proper spray distance from the jacket surfaces, worked my way around the body, pockets, sleeves, and collar. All way going VERY WELL.
The spray seemed to dry quite quickly, and in my interest to make sure it was well water-proofed I got interested in learning how soon I could apply a second coat. When I looked at the can for instructions I was shocked to see that I had picked-up, and sprayed my jacket, with the quick dry CLEAR LACQUER that I had used on the highchair.
The jacket is surprisingly supple and is in fact water-repellent - but a bit too shiny for fishing.
You can't be too careful when getting prepared for winter fishing !!