Oilskin coat cleaning

[B92 8NW]

Does anyone know where I can take a Drizabone coat to get professionally cleaned and re-proofed in Melbourne? I see on their website there's a repair service you can send a garment to in QLD but would rather not have to post something.

Alternatively any advice on a DIY? May end up doing it myself but currently committed with a ZF rebuild, timing belt etc:D

[gusthedog]

Three steps for a happy oilskin

1.Wash warn soapy water with this http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/OILSKIN-WOOL-DETERGENT-for-DRIZA-BONE-COATS-SHEEPSKIN-CLEANER-w-TEA-TREE-OIL-/200602765051?hash=item2eb4db46fb and dry
2. Re oil. Follow the instructions on the bottle. Here's a combo pack http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2-x-OILSKIN-REPROOFER-DETERGENT-for-DRIZA-BONE-COAT-DRIZABONE-RESTORER-REPAIR-/200896059616?hash=item2ec65698e0
3. Always, ALWAYS!!!! store long term (longer than a few weeks) in a plastic bag so they don't dry out.

This last point is the clincher. My oil skin vest is over 20 years old and has never had to be re oiled because I store it over summer in a plastic bag. No need to get it professionally done. Easy as pie. You can get the oil from eBay or any good camping store. ;)

[BMKal]

Thanks Pricey. That's worth knowing. A couple of my coats are starting to get a bit on the "dry" side and could do with a good clean and re-oiling.

Don't get to use them that often around Kalgoorlie, but they're handy to have on the odd occasion for holidays and fishing trips. :D

[LandyAndy]

I have one SOMEWHERE in the shed.I dont get to use it much either,much better things to do than go out in the rain!!!!
I did wear it on the boat once,it was a freezing cold day with drizzle.
Andrew

[rick130]

Three steps for a happy oilskin

1.Wash warn soapy water with this Oilskin Wool Detergent FOR Driza Bone Coats Sheepskin Cleaner W TEA Tree OIL | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/OILSKIN-WOOL-DETERGENT-for-DRIZA-BONE-COATS-SHEEPSKIN-CLEANER-w-TEA-TREE-OIL-/200602765051?hash=item2eb4db46fb) and dry
2. Re oil. Follow the instructions on the bottle. Here's a combo pack 2 X Oilskin Reproofer Detergent FOR Driza Bone Coat Drizabone Restorer Repair | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2-x-OILSKIN-REPROOFER-DETERGENT-for-DRIZA-BONE-COAT-DRIZABONE-RESTORER-REPAIR-/200896059616?hash=item2ec65698e0)
3. Always, ALWAYS!!!! store long term (longer than a few weeks) in a plastic bag so they don't dry out.

This last point is the clincher. My oil skin vest is over 20 years old and has never had to be re oiled because I store it over summer in a plastic bag. No need to get it professionally done. Easy as pie. You can get the oil from eBay or any good camping store. ;)

Mine would be 20+ years old and is always scrunched up on the back seat somewhere in the Deefer.
Dragged it out at 7 this morning for the walk to the job site (bloody traffic had me 35 minutes late) and kept me bone dry while waiting 10 minutes for the coffee bloke in the pouring rain ?

[JDNSW]

I'm afraid mine has had very little use - doesn't rain much here!

John

[p38arover]

My wife and I both have oilskins bought 25 years ago when we lived on Norfolk Island. They seem to have shrunk! :angel:

[Rextheute]

I have a couple , one a vest was reproofed 10 yrs ago as it was worn every day working over winter .over a 10 yr period ...............( its prob 30yrs old ) and perfect . Thats an original rm williams tightweave cotton - similar to a barbour coat ,lined with wool .

An old coat I reproofed 5 or 6 yrs ago - bit dry , but mostly waterproof !

And another lambswool lined drizabone - which i just reproofed , was a bit messy as i used a hairdryer , then the fire to 'even out ' the proofer !

Always have used drizabone wax - you heat it on the stovetop then brush it on wet , it drys , you swear and hairdryer it !

ps, dont use the paint brush used to paint verandah - you WILL get specks of paint on your coat :angel::angel:

[ozscott]

I have a Burke and a Wills Aust made oilskin. It feels heavier than a modern Driaza so the following might not help but on mine I use saddle soap. Had it about 12 years. Keeps torrential rain out. Cheers

[Chenz]

I have a Driazabone that has developed some mildew spots on it. Any ideas about getting them off?

[superquag]

My wife and I both have oilskins bought 25 years ago when we lived on Norfolk Island. They seem to have shrunk! :angel:

Nope, they have'nt. It's called "Capital Growth" .... Wonderful if we're talking about a pot of gold, not so good if we're looking at the ...Pot. :angel::angel::angel:

[Didge]

Against my wife's strict instructions and my better judgement I cleaned mine in the washing machine on a hot wash - was going to re oil it later. Forgot to change back to a cold wash and rinse the machine - was caught due to my daughter putting on a load of whites (now beige) straight after my oilskin attempt - tried to deny it but my excuses didn't wash :)

[Rextheute]

^^^^ errrr oooppppps !

I make a great purchase of an oilskin coat last week - it was $20 !

But it did need a wash , after being rinsed with a hose ...washed in a tub then a hot wash in a tub , the pockets still had red dirt coming out .

It's now washed , reoiled in drizzle bone wax , heat gunned to get it to 'soak ' thru and has been hanging on the line fro 3 days .

Came up a treat , I won't say like new , but it's certainly got character !

It was so dry that the coat was like an old fashioned foremans duster coat , it stood up by itself by virtue of the dirt ingrained in it ...

Will attempt a photo shortly .

[Rextheute]

Here's a pic

[DiscoMick]

Another option, after cleaning with warm soapy water, is to rub it with beeswax. Then hang it up to dry. Tins of beeswax cost about $15-20 and are also good on shoes to condition and water proof the leather.