Blade Runner Trench Coat Help- Waterproofing

[Collektor]

I have one of the Abbyshot v.2 Deckard trench coats that I bought years ago, and I was wondering if anyone has any advice or suggestions on what to use to waterproof it. Its a decent replica, but it soaks up water even in a light rain. I'd like to give it some kind of treatment that would make it useful as a rain coat, because as it stands it just isn't which is why its been languishing in the closet for years.

Also, has anyone tried dyeing the coat to be darker, and if so how well did it turn out?

Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[kialna]

Waxing it by hand. Did that with my khan coat. But not sure if it will ruin your coat yes or no.

 

[James Kenobi 1138]

Have you tried Scotchguard ? It's a clear spray used on furniture as a stain preventer by sealing the fabric to keep liquid from penetrating the fibers.

If you meant waterproof as in wearing out in the rain and staying dry I don't think Scotchguard would work.

 

[Collektor]

I have considered waxing it, but i do know its not 100% cotton, but a synthetic blend, so no idea if the waxing would take.

 

[fallimar]

There's also a spray you can get for waterproofing shoes and boots, they sell different brands at most shoe shops. Try that perhaps?

 

[candlecode]

I have used a couple of the products from otter wax to rain proof a couple cosplays.
i've notice that it darkens the fabric by a couple shades and if its applied evenly in thin coats it becomes very water repellent.
i mostly use it on cotton but poly-cotton works just as well.
it looks really bad on knit fabrics though

 

[Collektor]

I've been looking at Otter Wax, and may try that. I wont mind if it darkens it a couple shades as I always felt that it was a little too light in color. Fortunately the v.2 collar is the same material as the rest of the coat with just stitching to make the ribbed detail. But it is a lot of fabric to wax lol

 

[Timber wolf]

I don't think wax or oils will be suitable unless you want to transform your coat into an Aussie oilskin, which being a synthetic blend, wouldn't work anyway.though a poly cotton (60% cotton 40% nylon or polyester) could work. For a fabric to have any hope of water repellency though , it has to be very tightly woven..If when holding it up to the light you can see tiny pin holes between the threads then it will be impossible to make it truly rainproof.
Presuming it's the right type of fabric & you'll settle for it being showerproof, then scotchguard or other forms of silicone spray may work. Some folks use it with success on their mackintoshes & trench coats.
You mentioned dying it. Finding a dye suitable for the fabric might be easy enough but getting an even coloration ( & getting the dosage right ) on such a large item may pose a problem & the the lining & stitching may not take the dye & so look too contrasting with the rest of the coat.

 

[Collektor]

Yeah dyeing it seems unlikely. I know for sure it's not a 100% cotton fabric. At this point I'd settle for it keeping out a bit of water versus soaking it up like a sponge.

 

[Timber wolf]

If you do have a tightly woven fabric & there is some cotton (preferably in majority) in the blend then you could give Nikwax cotton proof a try, it's pretty cheap, easy to use (just chuck it all in the washing machine) & if it doesn't work, you won't have lost a lot of money nor should it ruin your coat.

 

[Collektor]

I'll have to check the tag again see exactly what the blend is.