Oilskin Reproofer Spray

Is Oilskin Canvas Difficult to Care For? ... Not at all. At least not the premium grade Australian Oilskin canvas used to create the great Australian gear you will find at Cape Woolamai Mercantile.

What Do I Need to Know to Care for My Oilskin? ... Whether you are caring for Oilskin garments or gear purchased from Cape Woolamai Mercantile, the basic rules for Product Care are simple:

• “Guy Maintenance” – Every item has a Care Tag sewn inside with basic Care Instructions. We refer to these instructions as “Guy Maintenance”. In other words, there is not a lot involved in keeping your gear in great shape. Start by reading the tags and following the directions for your items.
• Reproofing Your Oilskin – Oilskin is a waterproofed canvas. When the canvas is new, water will bead up and run right off. Over time, the “waxed” surface will dry, or develop dry spots from wear, diminishing this waterproofing. To “reproof” (refresh) the waterproofing, simply spray the item with Oilskin Reproofer, allow it to dry overnight, and your item is ready to go.

Note: You do not need to drench the canvas. Cover the item with a mist of Reproofer to dampen the surface. You may wish to spray a little heavier on seams and any noticeable wear spots. You may wish to use your fingertips or a cloth to spread the liquid evenly across the surface. Allow the item to air dry overnight in a cool dry place with good air circulation.

• How Often Do I Need to Reproof My Oilskin? – Your garments and gear will let you know. Some manufacturers recommend reproofing the canvas every 12-18 months. In our experience, this can be overkill. We have many Visitors to our Outposts tell us of their 20+ year-old Oilskin Jackets which they have never done anything to care for. This may not be good practice either. We will tell you that your garments and gear will let you know when they are in need of reproofing.

Over time, the waxed canvas surface will dry, diminishing the water protection. Depending on use, some spots may receive more wear than others. When will your garments and gear need reproofing? That depends on a number of variables, the most significant being:

• Frequency of use.
• The conditions under which you use your garments and gear.
• How you store your garments and gear.

When you notice that the canvas is no longer repelling water, but is beginning to wick in the moisture, that is a sign the canvas is ready for reproofing. Want to test this? Simply pour some water on your Oilskin and watch what happens.

Additionally, like leather, Oilskin will patina over time. Most people prefer their Oilskins to have a weathered look. When your Oilskin has reached a patina you like, reproofing the canvas can help lock in that look. Note: Reproofing your canvas may darken the color of the canvas some. You may wish to allow your canvas to “fade” a shade lighter before reproofing to lock in a desired color … if that is your goal in reproofing.

• What About Reproofing My Ice-Free Coolers? – How water repellant the Oilskin canvas of your Ice-Free Coolers is has little to no bearing on how well they perform. The Oilskin canvas keeps your coolers water repellant. The pure Australian Wool insulation is what gives them their thermal properties. Yes, if you keep your coolers reproofed, there is some marginal thermal benefit. The biggest benefit is that regularly caring for your Oilskin canvas will extend the life of the canvas. Allowing you to enjoy your great ice-free coolers longer.

How Should I Store My Oilskins Items ... Oilskin is a waxed canvas. Even the best Oilskin (like that used in the goods we sell) is subject to wax transfer to other fabrics. Although we very rarely hear reports of wax transfer from the canvas used in our garments and gear. The possibility is greatest when the canvas is new or newly reproofed. Wax transfer typically requires that the objects be in direct contact, under a decent amount of pressure, for an extended period of time, or in a very hot environment. Although very uncommon, there are sensible steps you can take to prevent wax transfer, we recommend:

• Hang your Oilskin garments in a cool dry place, and not in direct contact with other non-Oilskin garments (and certainly not under pressure) when they are new, or newly reproofed.
• Many people will hang their Oilskin garments inside out, especially when they are new or newly reproofed, so that the waxed canvas is on the inside.
• Avoid sitting loaded Oilskin gear (bearing weight) on cloth furniture or table coverings for an extended period when the canvas is new or newly reproofed.

Other Tips for Storing Oilskin Garments & Gear:

• Store your Oilskin items in a cool dry place where there is good air circulation.
• Preferably, do not put your Oilskins away wet. Try to allow them to dry before putting them away. Or at the very least, try to put them away in a cool, dry place with ample circulation to allow them to dry.

The Voice of Experience ... Just like everything else in Life, not all Oilskin canvases are created equal. There are different processes for making Oilskin (aka: Oilcloth, Tin Cloth, Waxed Canvas), and there are different grades of quality within each process. When you are searching for premium Oilskin products, the best in the World (in our humble opinion) are made with canvas produced using the Australian, UK, or US processes. Each of which has its own unique traits.

The canvas used to create the authentic Australian Oilskin garments and gear you will find at Cape Woolamai Mercantile is the very best of the Australian process. This canvas delivers a softer, smoother, more supple, finish than the comparable top tier canvases made using the UK or US processes (which tend to produce a stiffer finish), and is also easier to care for.

You may be familiar with some Oilskin garments which require you to spend hours heating wax and carefully applying it to the canvas, then allowing it a few days to fully cure before you can see the results of your work. Or, alternatively, sending a garment back to the factory for refreshing. Different processes require different methods to properly care for the canvas. We prefer the Australian way.

Regardless of the process used to produce the canvas, there are a few simple ways you can distinguish between the higher grades of canvas, and the rest. Lower grades of canvas will tend to use more petroleum-based oils and less natural oils in creating their oilcloth. The telltale sign is that the canvas will have a petroleum (almost gasoline) type of odor … particularly when wet. Another telltale is how “wet” the canvas is when new. Lower grades of canvas will often feel very wet to the touch. With some, you can squeeze the canvas between your fingers and draw out liquid.

Garments and Gear made from a top tier Oilskin canvas can – when properly cared for – serve you for a Lifetime. Yes, you can wear them out, and you will have a great time doing so. If you take care of your Oilskin, your Oilskin will take care of you … and you will find that you will get much more than you paid for.