Upkeep of waxed cotton clothing

[bsyde82]

I have a waxed cotton unis military jacket that I've finally began to wear. At first, I thought waxed cotton would be great for rainy conditions, but I've noticed that the jacket has gotten wrinkled real easily in areas of stress, and the wrinkles aren't going away. Didn't think this would happen with waxed cotton.

Is this b/c it's getting wet? (not soaked, just walkin around in light rain) or is this just standard for waxed cotton?

 

[Reggs]

I cant speak for cotton, but when this happens to waxed leather your suppose to bake it for a while on 150-200 f to redistribute everything.

 

[SantosLHalper]

Originally Posted by bsyde82

I have a waxed cotton unis military jacket that I've finally began to wear. At first, I thought waxed cotton would be great for rainy conditions, but I've noticed that the jacket has gotten wrinkled real easily in areas of stress, and the wrinkles aren't going away. Didn't think this would happen with waxed cotton.

Is this b/c it's getting wet? (not soaked, just walkin around in light rain) or is this just standard for waxed cotton?

It's not from getting wet. The cotton tends to hold its shape and crease due to the extra stiffness added by the wax. This is more so if you wear it in colder weather when the fabric is stiffer. It should not affect its water-repellency. Not sure, though, how you would undo the creases. I always considered them part of the jacket's character.

 

[Tarmac]

Originally Posted by Reggs

I cant speak for cotton, but when this happens to waxed leather your suppose to bake it for a while on 150-200 f to redistribute everything.

maybe a blow dryer would be a safe alternative?

 

[bsyde82]

Originally Posted by SantosLHalper

It's not from getting wet. The cotton tends to hold its shape and crease due to the extra stiffness added by the wax. This is more so if you wear it in colder weather when the fabric is stiffer. It should not affect its water-repellency. Not sure, though, how you would undo the creases. I always considered them part of the jacket's character.

I see. Thanks. As for creases being part of the character...perhaps you're right. Hopefully it'll crease to the point of adding character as it is in its infant stage of wear right now.

 

[Ludeykrus]

It happens, as said above especially in colder weather. It's not because of the rain.

You could probably use a hair dryer or a heat gun to remelt the wax and reset it, though I do think it adds a lot of character.

Take a look at some vintage Belstaff jackets.

 

[SantosLHalper]

Originally Posted by Ludeykrus

You could probably use a hair dryer or a heat gun to remelt the wax and reset it, though I do think it adds a lot of character.

If you google "barbour reproofing" there are a number of sites with info on how to recoat a waxed cotton jacket. Hair dryers are one of the options for warming up the fabric enough to accept the wax. I never thought about just heating to reset the creases. I think I would be concerned about "redistributing" the waxed coating.

I do know that the creases relax when I hang up my Barbour after being outside in cold weather.

 

[Souper]

I could be wrong, but if im not the jacket you have from unis is probably polyurethane coated...

 

[airportlobby]

Quite often waxed clothes are really just "waxed" and shouldn't get the Barbour treatment.