Rewaxing your Barbour Jacket at home
Did you know that a Barbour wax jacket can last for a very long time when looked after properly – making it one of the most sustainable pieces of clothing that you can own…
It all began back in 1894 when John Barbour opened a shop in South Shields in the North East of England selling practical and hard-wearing oilskins that provided protection from the worst of British weather. Today the 5th generation family-owned business embraces the same values that the company was founded on by continuing to sell high quality, functional clothing that is fit for purpose and perfect for a life spent outdoors.
Rewaxing Facts:
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Globally over 100,000 tins of Barbour wax are sold each year.
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Customers can rewax their jackets themselves by using a tin of Barbour wax and
following the instructions.
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Rewaxing means that Barbour jackets can last for a very long time, in fact they often
become part of the family, passed down from generation to generation. The oldest jacket sent back to the Barbour archives dates from 1910 and it’s still in excellentcondition!
Rewaxing at home:
All Barbour wax jackets are manufactured to the highest standards. It is recommended that a Barbour wax jacket is rewaxed at least once a year if worn regularly, to ensure that it always provides the best protection. The wax can become worn in areas of constant abrasion, such as shoulders, pocket edges, cuffs and elbows.
Preparations:
Firstly you should pick an area that can be easily cleaned or lay down a dust sheet before you start the rewaxing process as it can be a little messy. Some people like to do thisoutside if it’s a sunny day. You should also gather together the equipment you will need:
– sponge
– kettle
– hairdryer – bowl
– hanger
Step 1 | Clean your jacket
Clean the jacket using cold water and a sponge to wipe down the outside of the jacket. Avoid using hot water, any kind of soap and NEVER put the jacket in the washing machine, as this will remove the wax coating permanently and the jacket cannot be rewaxed.
Step 2 | Soften the wax
Take a tin of Barbour Wax Thornproof dressing. Remove the lid, stand the tin of dressing in a container of water hot enough to soften the wax. It should take approximately 20 minutes to melt the wax into a liquid consistency.
Step 3 | Wax your jacket
Using an old cloth or sponge, work the melted wax well into the jacket paying particular attention to seams, creases and dry patches. Wipe off any excess wax. You should keep the wax tin in the hot water while working in order to keep the wax softened. If the wax begins to harden top the container with more hot water. Ensure you keep the wax away from the corduroy collar, the inside of the jacket and inside of the pockets.
Step 4 | Dry your jacket
To ensure you get an extra smooth finish blow over with a hair dryer to even the spread of wax.
Step 5 | Allow To Dry Overnight
Once you've rewaxed the jacket, hang it up. Allow to dry overnight in a warm place away from other garments. Be aware the jacket may lose excess wax for a short while so take care not to get your newly waxed jacket near leather or upholstery.
Construction of a Barbour Wax Jacket:
A Barbour wax garment is constructed with practicality and functionality in mind. Each wax jacket is renowned for its durability, weather resistant properties and a patina that just improves with age. Renewable and sustainable, it remains one of the toughest and most durable fabrics available. The base of a Barbour wax jacket is a densely woven cotton produced from a high-quality yarn. The mass of this material allows each garment to become extremely durable, resulting in the jacket withstanding many years of harsh weather conditions. Barbour’s wax garments feature a selection of wax coatings which create adifferent aesthetic to each style. The wax coatings provide a protective overlayer to the outerwear, strengthening the product’s longevity. The ability to keep rewaxing the jacket rejuvenates and extends the life of the garment, providing many years of faithful service.
Barbour Wax Coating:
Barbour’s formulated wax has followed the same recipe for many years and is created using a mixture of hydrocarbon waxes. This special secret formula wax does not contain any harmful substances, making it completely safe and environmentally friendly. In 2016 Barbour developed a new resilient and longer lasting wax for lightweight 4oz garments using a Dry Wax. Creating the same look and aesthetic and offering the same protection against the weather, this new wax is dry to touch once applied to the product.
The Benefits of Rewaxing:
Since 1894, one of the fundamental principles behind the Barbour brand has been to provide the best outerwear protection against the worst of the weather. A wax jacket is the perfect way to fulfil this principle – like water off a duck’s back – the water is repelled by the wax coating on the outer membrane.
Depending on the weight of the fabric, 4 oz wax coatings will be suitable for light showers and 6/8 oz wax coatings are ideally designed to be worn during heavier rainfall.
Rewaxing will extend the life of a jacket for many years to come. The colour will remain bold and the restoration of the jacket will leave the fabric looking less worn, ultimately resulting in a garment which is closer to its original colour and finish.
