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OILSKIN & OUTDOORS
The oilskin fabric is made of 100% tightly woven cotton that is impregnated with a solution of special oils and waxes to ensure maximum rain, snow and wind protection. Another common term used for this fabric is waxed cotton.
This makes the oilskin a highly durable and long lasting product. Unlike synthetic and nylon products, the oilskin has a natural feel and because it is a natural product, it provides excellent breathe-ability.
Cleaning
Oilskin fabric relies on the impregnation of oils and waxes to create the waterproof properties and cleaning with household detergents will cause the removal of the oils and waxes.
However Tantech has developed a pH neutral detergent which contains synthetic oils and has been proven not to damage the waterproof properties of the oilskin fabric.
The detergent also includes a blend of melaleuca oils, including tea tree oil, and lemon myrtle which removes the normal unattractive smell of oilskin.
The detergent has antifungal which prevents against mould and mildew.
Reproofing
The traditional method of reproofing oilskin products is with a reproofing wax which, whilst very effective in restoring the waterproof properties, is very labour intensive in its application and therefore it is only the fastidious person who undertakes this process.
However Tantech has developed a spray application oilskin reproofer which contains a wax, oils and fluoropolymer which provide a convenient method of reproofing the dry patches that are subject to friction such as knees, sleeves, neck and shoulders. The oilskin reproofer also contains an antifungal additive which prevents against mould and mildew.
Oilskin Reproofer now has an insect repellent that is effective in deterring annoying outdoor pests.
General
Check your oilskin on a monthly basis for dry patches, especially in areas that are subject to heavy wear. Dry patches indicate that these areas will require reproofing.
Test Report
David J Heffer and Associates undertook testing water penetration by the hydrostatic method.
Read the report (1.2mb).
Felt Hat
Felt is a textile that is produced by matting, condensing and pressing fibres together. Felt can be made of natural fibres such as wool or synthetic fibres such as acrylic. There are many different types of felts for industrial, technical, designer and craft applications. While some types of felt are very soft, some are tough enough to form construction materials. Felt can vary in terms of fibre content, colour, size, thickness, density and more factors depending on the use of the felt. The famous Akubra hat is made in Australia from rabbit fur sourced from around the world.
Felt Hat Care
Felt hats, because they are worn outside in direct sunlight and all weather conditions, are by their very nature robust. However they need some degree of maintenance, and for the dress hat as opposed to those working hats, need to maintain their original appearance.
Tantech has developed a felt hat care kit which contains a special foam cleaning sponge which is used dry to shave off loose nap, lint and surface soils and moist with the Felt Hat Cleaning Spray to clean the hat overall. The Felt Hat Care Kit also contains a Felt Hat Rain & Stain Guard that is used after cleaning – and the hat has dried – to provide water & oil repellency. The Felt Hat Rain & Stain Guard also has an insect repellent, as used in military clothing, to repel annoying insects.
Canvas
Canvas is an extremely durable plain-woven fabric usually made of cotton or linen, although historically it was made from hempand used for making sails, tents, marquees, back packs & swags, and other items for which sturdiness is required.
Canvas is inherently, or has been treated to become, resistant to penetration by water and wetting. Canvas resists liquid water passing through, but allows water vapour to pass through. Their ability to block out rain and snow while allowing vapour from sweat to evaporate leads to their use in rainwear, waterproof outdoor sports clothing, tents, and other applications. However over time and due to exposure, reproofing is required to restore the water repellent properties to be restored.
Canvas Reproofer
Tantech has developed a spray application Canvas Reproofer that contains an insect repellent for use on tents & swags and other outdoor items where wet conditions and annoying insects are repelled. The insect repellent is the same as used by the military on clothing to repel mosquitoes & other annoying pests in the tropics.