Weather Proofing a Kilt!

[Camo]

Hey Guys,

I have been trying to find a way to waterproof my kilt and swanndri, I have found a method but I worry that it will probably DESTROY my kilt.
I wear my kilt in the bush quite frequently, but I need to re-waterproof the thing.

The method I found is below:

"
I've got one of those Swanndri coats too Topcamp. And I agree fully, they are great stuff! And that reminds me ... there is a way to waterproof woolens. I used it on my Swanndri probably more than 10 years ago and it works well. I probably need to do it again. The recipe uses:

3 tablespoons anhydrous lanolin (you can get it at the pharmacy)
1 gallon white gas (Coleman fuel)
Stir til dissolved and soak cloths
Wring out cloths and put on clothesline until dry

The Coleman fuel evaporates and leaves NO scent (many find this hard to believe, but try it on a pair of wool surplus pants first if you don't believe me.) You can adjust the amount of anhydrous lanolin depending upon your climate. Note, the lanolin will stiffen up woolen in colder climates - kinda like a waxed cotton or oil skin coat. But once you put it on, it loosens up.
Lanolin comes from wool and when the wool soaks it back up, rain will run off it like a ducks back. It also adds a little more "R" value to the wool and helps out with wind.
"

Now I hope there is some better way that dose not involve fuel!!

Kind regards

~Cameron

[JSFMACLJR]

May I ask in all kindness, why you would want to do this to a kilt? Maybe, just maybe, the kilt is not an ideal garment under such conditions.

PS. I write as one who has worn the kilt for half a century.

[Oberu]

I can see how this would be nice for wearing a great kilt possibly. I'll have to mention that if you've ever laid under a car in a puddle of gas.. it burns like fire when it gets in your pours and scares me a bit but if it evaporates as you've stated and acts only as a diluting agent... what's not to like!

[TheOfficialBren]

May I ask in all kindness, why you would want to do this to a kilt? Maybe, just maybe, the kilt is not an ideal garment under such conditions.

PS. I write as one who has worn the kilt for half a century.

*** (minus the half century bit)

[Green Dragon]

May I ask in all kindness, why you would want to do this to a kilt? Maybe, just maybe, the kilt is not an ideal garment under such conditions.

PS. I write as one who has worn the kilt for half a century.

I agree. I have a couple of inexpensive synthetic kilts for use in poor weather conditions, while grilling or brewing beer. Ones I can pitch into the washer if necessary. Afterward I lay them out on a towel, straight the apron and pleats and let them dry under a ceiling fan.

I would worry about the long term affects on my good kilt.

[Camo]

I bought my kilt to be used, its 16oz woolen, Davidson Ancient that was hand made for me.
I wear it frequently in the bush, out in town, pretty much everywhere.

I understand that you might not want to use such an expensive garment for these events, but I do.
also Oberu, Its not the issue of evaporation that I am worried about, white gas is a solvent that will dissolve the lanolin then evaporate and leave it behind, but would it wreck a kilt?

Cheers guys, I think I might try another method.

[Dale Seago]

For those who don't want to go the white gas route but do want to add lanolin (maybe a kilt, maybe something like a wool jumper), here's an approach using water instead:

http://www.ehow.com/how_5685512_add-lanolin-wool.html

[tundramanq]

My concern with the gasoline is that it might mobilize the dyes in the tartan - Test swatch?

[Stan]

Why not just purchase a product that's meant for use on fabric as a water proffer, or repellant. There's a lot of them available, they are in a spray can, can be used on wool or cotton, don't damage the feel of the material and last a long time. Mohawk industries makes one, (you can find them on line) and it only takes about 1 oz. of liquid per yard of material.

I use to use this product commercially to waterproof, and stain proof new couches for my customers. It (and many other products like it) will almost turn a tissue into a bucket with out changing the feel or look of the material.

Several products of this nature can be found in the sporting goods area of a store, or in a fabric shop.

[unixken]

It (and many other products like it) will almost turn a tissue into a bucket with out changing the feel or look of the material.

This was exactly the demonstration that Amway used to use for their Scotchgard-like product. The sales rep would lay a tissue out flat, spray first one side, then the other. Then, gather the four corners, creating a sort of hobo bag out of the tissue and fill it from a running water faucet, into what amounted to a bag of water.