Anyone Use Purple Power on Jackets ?

[kballowe]

Our jackets were filthy.  We previously cleaned them by using spot removers and then tossing them in the washing machine - with limited results.

This is the result of a light scrubbing with a 50% solution of Purple Power and then a cup of full strength in the washing machine.  It took out all the grease and black schmutz.

[Dirk_S]

Looks good! Considering that Purple Power is 25% sodium hydroxide, which is an alkaline salt, I wonder if you would have gotten near the same result using Borax.

[n3303j]

...assume it also stripped every bit of water repellent from the Cordura shell. But it looks great.

[kingoffleece]

https://nikwax.com/en-us/products/waterproofing/clothing-waterproofing/tx-direct-spray-on/

[n3303j]

I'll have to give that a shot.
I did use Nikwax wash in waterproofed and it did nothing.
That was after using Nikwash.

But maybe their spray on product works.

My stuff all looks 25 years old.
But then again most of it is.

Rode hard and put away wet.

[kballowe]

Looks good! Considering that Purple Power is 25% sodium hydroxide, which is an alkaline salt, I wonder if you would have gotten near the same result using Borax.

You meant to put a decimal point in there, didn't you ?

According to the data safety sheet, Purple power contains between 1% and 5% sodium hydroxide (lye)

Source:

https://distinctivedetailsinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2002_PURPLE-POWER-SDS-AND-LABEL_English_06.2021.pdf[url=http://]]https://distinctivedetailsinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2002_PURPLE-POWER-SDS-AND-LABEL_English_06.2021.pdf[url]]]]https://distinctivedetailsinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2002_PURPLE-POWER-SDS-AND-LABEL_English_06.2021.pdf[url][/url]

[Dirk_S]

You meant to put a decimal point in there, didn't you ?

According to the data safety sheet, Purple power contains between 1% and 5% sodium hydroxide (lye)

Source:

https://distinctivedetailsinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2002_PURPLE-POWER-SDS-AND-LABEL_English_06.2021.pdf[url=http://]]https://distinctivedetailsinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2002_PURPLE-POWER-SDS-AND-LABEL_English_06.2021.pdf[url=http://]]]https://distinctivedetailsinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2002_PURPLE-POWER-SDS-AND-LABEL_English_06.2021.pdf[url=http://]]]]https://distinctivedetailsinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2002_PURPLE-POWER-SDS-AND-LABEL_English_06.2021.pdf[url]]]]]]https://distinctivedetailsinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2002_PURPLE-POWER-SDS-AND-LABEL_English_06.2021.pdf[url][/url]

Nope—I totally meant 25%. But I guess I was wrong, which I’ll humbly own up to. I was also looking at the data sheet—maybe I confused the 25% note and the 3%-4% weight info? Which % means what?

[kballowe]

Nope—I totally meant 25%. But I guess I was wrong, which I’ll humbly own up to. I was also looking at the data sheet—maybe I confused the 25% note and the 3%-4% weight info? Which % means what?

Meh.  If we go down that rabbit hole, we'll be here all day.   

[Moparnut72]

I believe what that is, PP is made from 25% sodium hydroxide which is then diluted to the 3-4% concentration. Just like Roundup which is 45% when manufactured but is sold to the general public at 2 - 3%. The Ag industry buys Roundup at the 45% concentration and then reduces it to the % it needs to work on the vegetation it wishes to control which is usually ounces per acre. I hope I made some sense here.
kk

[Dirk_S]

I believe what that is, PP is made from 25% sodium hydroxide which is then diluted to the 3-4% concentration. Just like Roundup which is 45% when manufactured but is sold to the general public at 2 - 3%. The Ag industry buys Roundup at the 45% concentration and then reduces it to the % it needs to work on the vegetation it wishes to control which is usually ounces per acre. I hope I made some sense here.
kk

That’s what I initially gathered, but then was thrown off once again with the usage of weight rather than volume.

Anyway. Whatever.

[kballowe]

Yeah, so everyone make sure to read the warnings and wear rubber gloves and eye protection.  These strong cleaners are, well.... strong.


Seven inches of snow and temps in the 20's and so we spent yesterday washing gloves n liners n helmet interiors n stuff - but with dish soap.

Oh, and everyone remember to launder those microfibers   

[SIR REAL ED]

Any tips out there on how to waterproof a mesh jacket?

Enquiring minds want to know!

[DaGootz]

My routine is just put it in the washer on "Regular" cycle  in the "Soak" mode with no stink laundry detergent and a little Oxy-clean then let it do just that....Soak for sometimes two days. After the soaking pI put the setting to gentle then let the washer do the rest. Hang dry and my stuff comes out brand new. The material isn't cotton so it really doesn't take a lot to get it clean because most staining doesn't set in the synthetic material, don't over think this. Purple Power is overkill IMHO.

[n3303j]

Any tips out there on how to waterproof a mesh jacket?

Enquiring minds want to know!

I always used a garbage bag with head & arm holes!

[Oca Grassa]

My stuff all looks 25 years old.
But then again most of it is.

I decided this past summer that I needed a new set of winter riding gear. My gear at that time was a mere 3 years old. However, after those 3 years, the water proofing was beginning to fail. Velcro fasteners were similarly failing. The armor system while only 3 years old, was actually more like a decade old in design & material.

After an extensive search, the only gear I could find that seemed like it would last more than the 3 years my current set lasted was Aerostich. Don’t get me wrong, there is other stuff I found but that required ordering from overseas. Current tarriffs made that prospect untenable, either adding 1/3 more money to the value of the gear or vendors outright refusing to sell if the transaction including shipping to the US.

On a complete lark I stumbled on some RST Adventure X Pro Series gear on Partzilla. I paid $315 for the jacket & pants delivered to my door, including California State taxes. I’ve worn it in cold and rain over the last 2 weeks and it is both warm and water proof. Full disclosure…it took some break in and some diagnostics to solve some fastening issues but got it down now. Here are some links:
https://www.partzilla.com/product/aftermarket/E8NF-RST-102409SIL-48
https://www.partzilla.com/product/aftermarket/E8UU-RST-102413SIL-36

The pants are pure gold. They work really well, easy on/easy off. Integrated waist belt helps as does elastic in the waist band. Ankle zips are knee high making putting on/boot removal easy. The jacket I don’t find as functionally convenient to use but after a couple of weeks use, I’ve more or less gotten the hang of the idiosyncrasies.


At under $300 for the set, it’s difficult to find anything to truly complain about. Well worth the punt for some up to date gear. Just as an aside…a fellow rider at work pulled some old armor out of a box to refit to his winter pants…and it crumbled to bits in his hands. Point being, old gear doesn’t necessarily remain “usable” or “functional” even if it appears to hold together. If it doesn’t do its job in an off….was it worth keeping around?

[Madtownguzzi]

I get good results with spot treating with Dawn dish soap and a cup of Tide powder in the washer.