Water repellent impregnation for fabric and footwear

What is the essence of water repellent impregnation? How does this miracle material work? What kinds of impregnations exist, for what materials? Let us examine in more detail in these questions.

Water-repellent impregnations, their action

How does the water repellent impregnation for the fabric? Its action is based on enveloping the fibers of the material with a kind of hydrophobic film that is impermeable to water, but lets in air. "Water-repellent" substances do not really repel water, but they are only able to attract water molecules more weakly than usual. Traditionally all such impregnations are called water-repellent.

Water repellent impregnation for clothing or footwear is an emulsion or solution. What happens to the material after treatment with such solutions? Initially, the surface of the fabric (or other material) is wetted with a water-repellent impregnation, then the solvent itself evaporates, leaving only a very thin layer of a water-repellent substance, the molecules of which do not evaporate. In this case, the fibers are formed, which minimally attract water, that is, repel it, on the surface the liquid is collected as separate droplets that roll down. Currently, several types of water-repellent impregnations are on sale, the basis can be water or carbon solvents.

Use of impregnation in construction

Very often in the construction of waterproofing impregnation for concrete, wood, brick. It allows you to protect the material from the all-damaging effects of moisture. Often, the seams, which are not treated with water-repellent agents, let the moisture inside them, the heat, on the contrary, comes out. As a result of this process, deposits of salts are formed. To prevent this unpleasant process will help a special water repellent impregnation for concrete.

How to avoid problems when building brick walls

The brick is a porous material, a cement-sand mortar is used for its laying. "Natural pressure" causes the appearance on the masonry of highs (formation of salts). To avoid this unpleasant phenomenon, it is necessary to use special means. Water repellent impregnation for the brick will prevent possible losses and get rid of many problems. Here are just a few of them:

• Freezing of the brick wall during frost.
• Loss of heat, excessive heating costs.
• Soaking of masonry seams in the autumn period, the transformation of moisture in the winter in the ice cake.
• Formation of salt sprouts (otters).
• All of the above leads to complete destruction of the masonry.

To protect the brick walls, there are several types of water repellent protective impregnations, they all help to solve not only the aesthetic problems, but also to prevent the destruction of the masonry.

The main types of impregnation for bricks

All protective impregnations, penetrating to a depth of 10 mm, create a water-repellent layer on the surface, provide a reliable vapor barrier.

• Acrylic-silicone or acrylic impregnation.
• Two-component silicone water-based impregnation.
• Lac-impregnation - not only protects, but also gives a superficial gloss.
• Water repellent liquid with high protective properties.

Water repellent impregnation for fabric and footwear

The weather always dictates our own rules. Even on a sunny spring day, it is very often necessary to force huge puddles, streams running along the streets of the city. What can we say about that, forgetting the umbrella, we fall under the downpour, the outer clothes get wet, becomes unusable, if the waterproof repellent for the fabric was not used in time to protect it. To avoid such unpleasant situations, it is simply necessary to use modern protective impregnations. Today they are produced in the form of various aerosols: special or universal. Such products completely protect the products from snow, salt, moisture, while not breaking the structure of the material, preserving the elasticity of the fabric and its air permeability. Colorless water-repellent impregnation for shoes allows it to be used for any colored surfaces that need protection from water.

Universal water repellent impregnation

Description: The product is used as a water repellent impregnation for clothes, shoes, any products made of cloth (umbrellas, tents), as well as nubuck, suede, smooth leather. It is based on fluorocarbon resins, which protect the products 100% from dirt, dust, moisture and salt stains. At the same time, the airtightness and elasticity of the material are maintained. Such impregnation is often used to process sports and tourist equipment.

Method of application: a balloon with impregnation should be shaken well. Keep sprayer up, in a vertical position. The product is applied to a clean surface, well defatted and dried, from a distance of 25 cm. The product should dry well. The treatment should be carried out regularly.

Special impregnation

In addition to the universal, there is also a special water-repellent impregnation for the fabric. What is the difference between them? It is very important not to confuse these funds, the consequences can be unpredictable. So, a special impregnation for smooth skin can not be used to handle products made from suede, nubuck. Fat and wax can glue the villi and spoil the material. But on the smooth skin these same components have a beneficial effect, maximally protecting the surface from moisture.

How to choose the best remedy?

What kind of impregnation should I prefer? Particular attention should be focused on the form of release. Many believe that water repellent impregnation for shoes from the jar is used more efficiently, since it contains the maximum amount of fats that provide protection from moisture. This can be goose fat, seals or mink oil. These substances can be used in aerosol water-repellent impregnations, but their concentration there is much less.

If you require impregnation for suede water repellent, then it is worth paying attention to universal means. However, not everything is so primitive. Sometimes, instead of fluorocarbon resins, manufacturers use cheap silicone, in this case, impregnation can have the opposite effect, that is, it creates an invisible water-repellent film, but at the same time prevents breathing of shoes. Particles of fluorocarbon resin spread between the fibers, moisture remains on the surface in the form of fine droplets.

Before purchasing impregnation, study the composition carefully. Streamlined names (water repellent components, water repellent emulsion) should be alarming. Conscientious producers write the right composition on the label, including fluorocarbon resins or fats.

The use of impregnation in sports

Everyone knows that the treated tissue retains its hydrophobic properties for not more than a year. An integral part (waterproof apron) in a sports boat must strictly fulfill its purpose, that is, protect the kayak from excessive watering. Sewing the protective apron is not difficult, it is much more difficult to properly process it, protect it from moisture. There are many recipes for preparing water repellent impregnations with your own hands. Often, components such as synthetic resins, waxes, waxes, fats, polystyrene, polyisobutylene are used. Below is a recipe, which was used to make impregnation in 1958. Studies have shown that during the summer season, the treated aprons kept waterproof.

So, the components used are:

• The solution of paraffin in turpentine is 15-20% - 100-200 h.
• The solution of polystyrene in toluene 12% - 100 h.
• A solution of low molecular weight polyisobutylene in toluene 4% - 400 h.
• Solvents (turpentine and toluene) - are added if necessary to obtain the desired consistency.

The fabric is impregnated with a uniformly obtained solution, dried in natural conditions. If in some places the fabric starts to flow water, the impregnation must be repeated.

General points on the use of various water-repellent impregnations

Many types of protective equipment are on sale. It can be water repellent impregnation for seams, for fabric, for clothes, for footwear, for awnings, for building materials. The choice accordingly depends on what the agent is for.

Very often new footwear, equipment, clothes have already passed DWR-processing, but manufacturers recommend to use water-repellent compounds before operation.

Any impregnation is applied to clean material. By methods of application, they are divided into two groups.

The first is impregnation, which is added to the water. The thing is immersed in the solution and rinsed in it. Naturally, shoes are not processed that way. These products are packaged in conventional containers with lids. Advantages of this material processing are complete impregnation. The process of washing, rinsing and soaking can be combined. Immediately after washing and rinsing, the thing needs to be treated with the formulation, and then dried.

The second - impregnation, applied by means of a sprayer or a sponge. Hydrocarbon solvents are often packed into aerosol packages, water-based impregnation - in bottles with a mechanical spray. Such tools are applied quite simply - they are applied to a clean surface. Hydrocarbon solvents are used in well-ventilated areas or in fresh air, water impregnations are best applied to a damp surface.

How often should water-repellent impregnate be applied? As needed. If shoes or clothing pass water in places, an aerosol or spray can be used for topical use. If the most part has lost its water-repellent properties, it is better to use impregnation for a complete immersion.